The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Good looks
- Refined power
- High-tech cabin
- Seven seats
Dislikes
- Very expensive
- Too many screens?
- Some rivals have more range
- Some rivals charge faster, too
Buying tip
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV spoils with its luxurious cabin and serene driving experience.
What kind of vehicle is the 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV? What does it compare to?
The EQS is Mercedes-Benz’s biggest all-electric SUV. Shop it against the Rivian R1S, Audi Q8 E-Tron, BMW iX, and Tesla Model X.
Is the 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV a good car/SUV?
The EQS has attractive styling and lots of features, though it is very expensive. It’s a 8.2 on the TCC scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV?
The EQS SUV sees more standard equipment for 2025, including soft-close doors, a front center airbag, and four-zone automatic climate control.
While not a styling standout, the EQS SUV is a pleasant-looking electric SUV that offers what may be the best integration yet of the automaker’s new EV face. Its profile offers a hint of muscle, even though these aren’t particularly sporty vehicles. Inside, the EQS SUV is at its best. The huge Hyperscreen that dominates the dash can feel a little too Las Vegas Strip at times, but close examination of the rest of the cabin reveals many fine, upscale details in line with Mercedes’ flagship intentions for this model.
Power output varies, starting with a somewhat modest 355 hp in the rear-drive EQS 450. The EQS 450 4Matic has a second motor for all-wheel drive, plus more power, but we suggest spending up for the 580 4Matic. It has 536 hp and 633 lb-ft of torque, which gives it acceleration in line with our expectations for a six-figure EV. The top Maybach model is even quicker. Every version of the EQS SUV is estimated to deliver upward of 300 miles of range; the 450+ leads the pack with its 323-mile estimate.
All models have a refined, smooth feel, amplified by their excellent ride quality thanks to standard air springs and adaptive dampers. Rear-wheel steering sharpens the turning radius for easier in-town maneuvering. No model is sporty, but this EV is great at isolating the outside world.
The EQS SUV is exceptionally quiet and comfortable inside, with seating for up to seven passengers in three rows. The front seats are clearly the best in the house, though row two’s a decent consolation prize. The third row is adequate for kids. Cargo space doesn’t impress by big SUV standards, particularly since there’s no front trunk. Mercedes doesn’t scrimp when it comes to materials. Fine leather, wood, and metal lines the cabin—as it should for these prices.
The EQS lacks crash-test data from both the NHTSA and the IIHS, which is typical for a vehicle of this price. All models come loaded up with driver-assistance technology, including the ability to go hands-free for limited stints and automatic lane changes executed at the tap of a turn signal stalk.
How much does the 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV cost?
Mercedes hasn’t released prices for the 2025 EQS SUV. Last year’s model started at about $106,000, and this year’s changes aren’t likely enough to result in a hue price hike. Standard fare includes leather seats, heated and cooled front seats, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 15-speaker Burmester audio system, a big sunroof, and a hands-free power tailgate.
Where is the 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV made?
In Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Styling
The 2025 EQS SUV is a pleasantly styled electric SUV.
Is the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV a good-looking SUV?
It’s one of the best interpretations of Mercedes-Benz’s new EV look yet. The EQS SUV has pleasant proportions and an exotic, high-tech cabin. It’s an 8 on our scale.
Though it is neither as long nor as tall as the automaker’s gas-fueled GLS, the EQS SUV rides on a long wheelbase that affords it a more spacious cabin. Its looks are also distinctive, starting with a mask-like plastic face up front that gives off a somewhat anodyne vibe. Muscular haunches and an aerodynamic shape help out a lot.
Maybach versions have huge wheels, more brightwork, and available two-tone paint. They can seem overly stylized.
The cabin features Mercedes-Benz’s so-called Hyperscreen, a massive display that stretches across the dash and integrates a trio of displays. It’s flanked by turbine-style vents. The overall look here is overwhelming at first, but it’s very nicely detailed. Ignore the expanse of screen—a hard task, admittedly—and you’ll find fine materials and many color and trim choices in line with our expectations for a high-end Benz.
2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Performance
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS accelerates quickly and rides well.
Mercedes-Benz’s biggest EV belies its considerably size by offering good acceleration and handling that verges on nimble. It’s a 7 here.
Is the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 4WD?
The base EQS SUV 450+ has a single motor that provides rear-wheel drive. Other models add a front motor for all-wheel drive.
How fast is the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV?
Both of the EQS SUV 450 models put out 355 hp, but the difference here lies in torque output. The 450+ has a single motor for 419 lb-ft of torque, delivering decent but not thrilling acceleration. The 450 4Matic’s front motor ups the ante to 590 lb-ft of torque, slicing the better part of a second from its 0-60 mph run and delivering better mid-range acceleration in the process. It hits 60 mph in the mid-six-second range. The next-up EQS SUV 580 has uprated motors for 536 hp and 633 lb-ft, which results in a brisk 4.5-second run to 60 mph. Given that this model weighs 6,300 pounds, that’s quite impressive. They Maybach 680 puts out 649 hp and 700 lb-ft, good for a 4.1-second sprint to 60.
All versions we’ve driven have smooth power delivery with good accelerator pedal modulation. They’re not neck-snappers like the Tesla Model X, but the EQS SUV models are quick nonetheless.
The standard air suspension and adaptive dampers furnish a fine, comfortable ride. There’s no real sporty flavor here, which is fine with us. Standard rear-wheel steering gives these SUVs a planted feel at speed while slicing into their turning circle at lower speeds. The EQS SUV is surprisingly nimble for what it is.
Our complaint with the EQS SUV involves its braking, which doesn’t blend regenerative and mechanical braking as well as some rivals. A wooden pedal and unpredictable modulation make it a challenge to stop smoothly. There’s also no one-pedal mode here.
There is, however, an Off-Road mode that can raise the air suspension by an inch. It’s most useful in deeper snow, since it’s hard to imagine anyone intentionally four-wheeling an EQS SUV.
2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Comfort & Quality
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV boasts a stellar cabin.
Mercedes-Benz’s top electric SUV has a spacious, well-equipped cabin that earns a 9 out of 10 here thanks to its ability to seat five occupants in comfort, its big cargo area, and its fine materials.
The front seats include standard heating and cooling, and they offer all-day support. The second row is quite spacious—to the detriment of the third row. While the EQS SUV can theoretically seat seven passengers, those wedged into the third row will need to be on the shorter side. Luckily, the second row moves fore and aft to open up more legroom, but the third row doesn’t have that much headroom.
The cargo area offers a somewhat modest 31.0 cubic feet with row three down, which grows to 74.2 cubes of maximum cargo capacity. That’s really not all that much space for a vehicle this large, though it is quite useful.
There’s also no front trunk here, which is a shame. It’d be nice to have enough space for, say, a rollaboard bag since there’s very little room behind the third row.
All EQS SUV models have standard leather seats and real wood and metal trim. They’re nearly silent, too, thanks to ample sound deadening and an inherently quiet electric powertrain.
2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Safety
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV lacks crash-test data.
How safe is the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV?
Big, expensive SUVs like this one tend not to be crash-tested by either the NHTSA or the IIHS, so it’s no surprise that we don’t have enough data to rate the 2025 EQS SUV.
All models come standard with a good array of safety features, including adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams, a driver-attention monitor, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, intersection assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, rear cross-traffic alerts with brake support, blind-spot monitors with steering assist, automatic parallel and perpendicular parking, active lane control, automatic lane changes, and a sharp surround-view camera system.
2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Features
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV can be optioned into the ultra-luxe realm.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is a costly EV, though its standard features impress. It’s an 8 on our scale thanks to its plentiful features, its numerous options, and its high-tech infotainment system.
It doesn’t earn any points for a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty, which doesn’t include any maintenance. The 10-year/155,000-mile battery warranty is quite good, though.
Figure at least $106,000 for an EQS SUV 450+ when the automaker releases 2025 model-year pricing. That money buys standard leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats that are heated and cooled, and a dashboard with 56 inches of screens including the instrument cluster, central infotainment touchscreen, and a passenger screen. It’s also equipped with a big sunroof and 21-inch alloy wheels.
Another word about Hyperscreen: The system includes a 17.7-inch touchscreen for both front-seat occupants and a 12.3-inch touchscreen in front of the passenger, plus a 12.3-inch non-touchscreen for the instrument cluster. Its software can be a bit of a chore to sort through, though terrific voice controls give it smartphone-like responses to most commonly used commands.
Which Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV should I buy?
The 450 4Matic costs only about $3,000 more, which buys the extra electric motor needed for all-wheel drive. From there, you can also added heated rear seats, front seat massagers, and a head-up display. The EQS SUV 580 4Matic is a hefty $20,000 more, so think twice about how much you need its extra power output.
How much is a fully loaded Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV?
At around $183,000, the top Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV 680 is a true ultra-luxury EV. It’s outfitted with nicer interior trim plus two 11.6-inch touchscreens for rear-seat passengers. You don’t get a third row, but you can specify a four-seat setup with folding rear-seat tables, a heated center armrest, and heated and cooled cupholders.
2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Fuel Economy
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV can go more than 300 miles on a charge.
Is the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV good on energy?
It’s definitely not the most frugal EV, but the EQS SUV offers a decent cruising range. It nets a 9 out of 10 here.
The base single-motor version is estimated to have a 323-mile total range and about 2.4 miles per kwh. The 4Matic version ratches that down to a 312-mile range, while the EQS SUV 580 checks in at 317 miles of range. The heavier, more powerful Maybach EQS SUV 680’s 302-mile range isn’t bad considering it weighs nearly 6,800 pounds—or more than 7,000 with an occupant or two aboard.
In an ideal setting, a Level 3 fast-charger can supply enough juice to go from 10-80% charge in just 31 minutes.