Mercedes-EQ is the umbrella banner given to the company’s purely electrified models. There are a few that have been released in SA already (as you can read here). Now there is a new model leading the EQ range in the shape of the Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV.

“The EQS SUV is the third vehicle on our new all-electric platform. It has everything our customers love about the EQS – and combines this with the strengths and versatility of an SUV that can seat up to seven people. With the EQS SUV, we are continuing to consistently implement the strategy of making our vehicles more sustainable and digital – with the goal of building the most desirable electric cars in the world.” Ola Källenius, chairman of the board of management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

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EV platform

The Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV rides on Mercedes’ electric-specific architecture, which it shares with the EQS sedan and EQE. The modular is called EVA2 and it was designed to allow the creation of a variety of different vehicle types on a single base. 

In addition to sharing its underpinnings the EQS SUV also shares several of the design traits we’ve seen on other EQ models. These include the “one-bow” styling theme. This aesthetic includes an aerodynamic front end and a sloping rear window. The EQ familiar black glass panel and triangular shaped LED headlamps are also present. The taillamps feature a body-wide strip, which links the largest EQ to other members of the family.

The EQS SUV has some serious dimensions within these lines. It measures 5 125 mm in length, is 1 959 mm wide and 1 718 mm. The wheelbase is a massive 3 210 mm. This space allows for a third row of seats. 

All EQS derivatives ride on a four-link suspension arrangement at the front and an independent multi-link set-up at the rear. Airmatic air suspension with continuously adjustable damping is standard equipment. Rear-axle steering with a steering angle of up to 4,5 degrees is standard for added manoeuvrability.

Powertrains

The Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV debuts with three powertrain options: EQS450+, EQS450 4Matic, and EQS580. The EQS450+ uses a single motor to drive the rear wheels. Peak power is 265 kW along with 568 N.m of torque. Mercedes quotes the driving range as 536 – 660 km.

The all-wheel-drive EQS450 4Matic has two motors, one per axle. Combined power is the same but peak torque rises to 800 N.m. Lastly, the range-leading EQS580 has 400 kW of power and 858 N.m of torque. Both of the AWD EQS derivatives have a range of between 507 and 613 km. Power for all versions comes from a 107,8-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery mounted in the floor.

Check out all our EV news in this dedicated section of our website.

Cabin

The Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV has a suitably luxurious cabin. There are soft-touch materials, high-quality materials and a completely high-tech look to the interior. 

Base model EQS versions get a floating central display. However, opt for the MBUX Hyperscreen, which is standard in the apex variant, and you get a cabin-wide screen. The 141 cm-wide screen comprises of a driver’s display (12,3 inches), a central display (17,7 inch) and front passenger display (12,3 inch), which all appear as one visual unit. 

The curved glass cover is made of scratch-resistant aluminium silicate glass and it is coated to make cleaning easier. The central and front passenger displays also provide haptic feedback. When a finger touches certain spots on the touch screen, actuators trigger a perceptible vibration of the glass cover. 

Buyers can also opt for the rear-seat entertainment system. In which case there are two additional screens facing the second-row of seats, to keep little ones entertained during long trips.