Mercedes-Benz EQS 580: Reviewing The EV SUV In India
Mercedes-Benz does EVs differently and they are based on a separate EV platform which means the EQS and the GLS are completely different
While EVs may only have a small chunk of the market, in the luxury space buyers are slightly more open to them and Mercedes-Benz has been on a launch spree over the last few months to increase its portfolio. We had seen the EQA SUV earlier and sometime back it was the EQS Maybach while now it is the turn of the EQS SUV to come in.
This was a surprise launch and even more so with the fact that the EQS in its standard SUV form is also locally assembled in India. This means a price of Rs 1.4 cr which is very close to the EQE while being less expensive than the combustion engine GLS!
Mercedes-Benz does EVs differently and they are based on a separate EV platform which means the EQS and the GLS are completely different. Back to the EQS SUV and the styling similar to the EQS sedan which means the shape is governed by aerodynamics. At more than 5m long it is huge but does not look so while there is some nice detailing like the tri pattern closed off grille and the digital lights. Further, the EQS gets the AMG Line package with 21-inch wheels which helps the stance.
The EQS though is about the interior while not as luxurious as the Maybach, it still beats other SUVs at this price in which it is or even other EVs at this price in terms of space. The huge hyperscreen, including two 12.3-inch displays and the main 17.7-inch touchscreen make up for the entire dashboard. Even the passenger has a screen to play with while the centre display as always is brilliant in its look and feel. It's an OLED display and has haptic feedback while stuff like the all around cameras and the 3D navigation is lovely to use.
The features offer a heads-up display, 15 speaker Burmester audio system, soft close doors, a massive panoramic sunroof, massage front electric seats, five zone climate control, 9 airbags, illuminated running boards, ADAS level 2 and more. The rear seat is a bench configuration but the seats are more comfortable than the sedan and you can sink your head in the soft cushions to the seat contouring which is perfect.
Plus you get two rear seat entertainment screens and a tablet along with noise cancelling headphones as well. Rear seat passengers also get a heating option while a flat floor means the large and airy cabin makes for a comfortable chauffeur driving experience. The EQS also has a third row which is optional and you can electrically move the second row seats while third row space is surprisingly good.
We drove the EQS in Hyderabad and most of our time was spent in the traffic but that's where the EQS showed what a calm driving experience it has. Unlike the sedan you do not have to worry about the ground clearance and that is a boon. Power comes via two motors with 545 bhp plus 858Nm. 0-100 km/h takes place under 5 seconds which is very fast for something so big. The EQS is silent and goes about things in a refined way which means you do not have any idea how you reach triple digit speeds here with no noise at all. There is no noise and via regenerative braking, you can do one-pedal driving.
The steering wheel which we think is too big, is light and you enjoy driving this car in the city where it does shrunk around you plus the rear axle steering cuts down the turning circle. That said, the 21-inch wheels do have a slightly firm ride at low speeds which gets better. The EQS has a soft suspension which is what you expect and rolls a bit but rear passengers are not tossed out while being comfortable. A massive 122 kwh battery pack means the range of 809 km while a real world range of 600-650 means you can do long road trips or even do once a month charging at home!
Coming with a 10 year battery warranty the EQS SUV does make a lot of sense for the luxury buyer in terms of the silence, futuristic looks and the instant performance. As said before, priced at Rs 1.4 crore it matches its ICE sibling too. The EQS SUV focuses on comfort and that we think makes sense. While not having the same presence as a GLS, the EQS will appeal as a more futuristic, tech focussed SUV with a range which means once a month charging at best!
What we like: value for money, looks, quality, space, comfort, features
What we do not like: low speed ride quality is a bit firm
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