2024 Mercedes EQS SUV review, first drive - does it hit the spot?

The Mercedes EQS sedan was the first time we saw what a ground-up Mercedes-Benz EV might look like. It has polarized opinions, but what can't be denied is that it's an effective electric car that addresses most concerns around an EV in the engineering-led way that Mercedes-Benz usually does things. But this Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, the high-riding version of this car, as the name suggests, is meant to take things up a notch from here.

Styling, boot space

The Mercedes EQS doesn't break from the brand's distinct look that's been cultivated for its EVs. This is probably the facet about these Mercedes SUVs that causes the most debate, but the EQS SUV is less divisive than its sedan counterpart or even the smaller EQE SUV. It still doesn't have that aggressive SUV look, but needless to say, this is effective aerodynamically, with a good 0.25 coefficient of drag.

So you have a familiar face with the flush, swept-back lighting with the full-width signature and the three segments in the lighting to denote this as an 'S' car. There is quite a bit of presence that comes from the large gloss black frontal panel with its star motifs and oversized badge. As with Mercedes' other SUVs, the EQS wears the AMG styling package, which gives you these aggressive slatted bumpers.

At 1,095mm wide and 1,718mm tall, the EQS SUV is slightly short of something like a GLS in that regard, again to aid efficiency. But this isn't something that is too apparent. Most noticeable in profile is the massive 5,136mm length which gives it a luxurious long-roof stance that goes well with the sloping roofline and strong haunches. The 21-inch wheels with its rich design furthers this sense.

The rear of this Mercedes SUV is familiar. It has the copper-winding light motif that always stand out and there is a cohesive, rounded feel here that works quite well with the overall design.

The EQS SUV is also unique in being a seven-seater in this segment. But despite this, the space efficiencies of a skateboard architecture and the long length mean that you still have space for a decent bit of luggage with all rows up. The third row folds flat completely to reveal a massively useful space. The load height is low, the opening is wide and there aren't many intrusions, so the EQS SUV will easily swallow a family's luggage (645 to 2,100l).

Interiors, space, practicality, screens

The interiors of the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV are quite familiar to those of the sedan, but this is no bad thing. The 56-inch glass-panelled Hyperscreen layout immediately creates a sense of occasion that few cars match. It is also quite commendable that with the screens taking up so much real estate, there's still that rich, luxurious sense from the rest of the cabin.

You notice this with the way the dash flows into the doors, creating a cosseting, sun-deck-like feel. This sense continues with the leather panelling that's around and with the seamless-slim vent arrangement in the centre that flows through the dash. These and the turbine-style vents continue with the deeply satisfying hefty, metallic sense to them that is soothing. As with most Mercedes offerings, the ambient lighting is especially well done and accentuates this cabin's ambience significantly in the dark.

The covered centre console and slim bank of buttons create a minimal effect that continues with this refined feel. Even the door panels with their floating effect to the various elements go with this theme. There's also just the right degree of wood finishes and rose gold embellishments to uplift the space without being over the top.

We've gotten fairly used to this screen setup now and the large 17.7-inch central screen is quite an easy system to get around as far as these full-touch interfaces go. Yes, tactile controls would still be better but the fixed climate panel at the bottom helps as does the fact that you can access most functions with a few taps. The capacitive buttons on the steering wheel and the panel in the centre console do take a bit more getting used to, there's no real texture here to help on the move. The detailed EV-specific information that this screen provides is as always, a big help.

The 12.3-inch passenger screen is a good idea but some might call it a gimmick, considering it repeats all the functions of the centre screen in a smidge more convenient position for the passenger. The instrument cluster is the usual Mercedes fare with the many display modes and information that is presented without clutter.

There's not quite that vast, open feel that you get in some other EV-specific architetctures in the front but it is a practical space nonetheless. You have large door bins, and an especially deep centre storage. The section that holds the cup-holders and wireless charger is also large and efficiently arranged. You also sometimes tend to overlooking the large lower shelf that can easily hold a handbag among other things. There are also as manyTyoe-C chargers as you might need here.

Second and third row

But prospective owners will be much more interested in the second-row of seats. There is a good amount of space here, maybe a smidge more than the GLS, with ample knee, leg and headroom for tall passengers. A neat trick that Mercedes-Benz has managed to pull is that despite the large battery being placed below, the floor isn't too high. It feels very much like an ICE Mercedes here which is always a nice experience. You get the usual Mercedes split roof that creates an open space along with the fairly large windows.

This sense is also helped by the high-grade comfort seats that come as standard on the India-spec EQS SUV. These get those especially supportive backrests and the enlarged centre armrest that holds a wireless charger and a tab. While this 7-inch tab is functional, especially in controlling the two 11.6-inch screens that also come as standard, we wish it came with a brighter and more fluid display. This system lets you play your own media and comes with headphones so everyone doesn't need to watch or listen to the same thing.

These seats are a significant improvement from what we experienced with the EQS sedan (which has also been updated), but we still did wish for a touch more thigh support. As with many of these luxury cars, the middle passenger will be compromised with the shorter squab and humped contours. We also would have liked window shades here and a ventilation function instead of the seat heating. More useful are the separate climate zones.

That said, the EQS SUV sets itself apart from the competition by offering a third row of seats. These are genuinely useful, unlike in the GLS, and even an average-sized adult can spend a reasonable amount of time here. The second row has a power fold function that makes getting in relatively easy and there's a good amount of space on offer. Yes, those close to 6 ft will be cramped but the seat is at a good height and there's a supportive backrest.

Of course, you sit in a slightly crouched position as is the norm in most of these arrangements but the high second-row seatback that blocks a lot of your outward visibility is a greater concern. You have decent amenities here like separate airvents and charge ports although a separate climate zoen would have been good too.

Features and safety

There is a vast list of features to go with the EQS SUV's smart cabin. You get digital lights, heated, cooled and massaging front seats, powered front seats, 15-speaker Burmester audio, HUD, augmented reality navigation, air scenting and purifying among others.

Safety features include a full suite of Level 2 ADAS features which are far less reactive now, 360-degree camera as well as a host of functions that come as a result of this.

Battery, range, charging

The Mercedes EQS 580 SUV comes with a large 122 kW lithium-ion battery pack that works with a 400V electrical architecture. Like the sedan, this makes for some massive range numbers with the 809 km. We think this should give you 550 to 600 km of real-world range quite easily which is not that far off from a large petrol luxury SUV of a similar size.

A great improvement with the EQS SUV is that it can AC charge at 22 kW which makes for a relatively quick 6.25 hour home charging time. It can DC fast charge at up to 200 kW which gets it from 10 to 80 per cent charge in 31 min.

Driving impressions

The Mercedes EQS 580's outputs from its dual-motor set-up sound fairly outrageous for a family SUV, making 544PS and 858 Nm. This lets it do 0 to 100 kmph in 4.7s, about 0.4s less than the sedan but still quite brisk, and reach a 210 kmph top speed.

On the move, the EQS SUV feels smooth and measured in its progress, which catches you by surprise to an extent if you've had a look at the spec sheet. But its a kind of progress that is fits this SUV's theme. So torque builds in a steady swell that still has you gaining speed quickly. This sense is aslo enhanced by the unusually heavy feel from the throttle pedal in the Eco and Comfort modes. Both these are completely usable in the everyday and you or your chauffeur will have most your needs covered right here.

But the Sport mode brings quite a distinct change. The entire drivetrain seems to liven up. There's a greater sense of energy in all the controls, the responses are notably sharper and the serious performance that's on offer is much easier to access. That said, its never overly aggressive as in some other EVs and is fairly usable in everyday situations for a boost in performance.

But what really sets the EQS SUV apart from previous Mercedes EVs, and makes it genuinely feel like a Mercedes, is the ride. The air suspension, to start with, brings with it great body control. The heavy SUV stays flat and poised at most times and even around bends, it feels flat and controlled.

The EQS SUV also does well to handle our rough surfaces. Yes some of it does grate through especially an extended bad section but it's distant and you hear it more than feel it. As with most of these air suspension setups, there is a firm edge but this too isn't uncomfortable. Once you've picked up speed there is a solid, pliant feel here that works well with the comfort focus. The Sport mode does sharpen things up but again this isn't overly aggressive and while you can hustle the EQS a bit here, it still doesn't lose that comfortable sense.

The rear wheel steer also makes it presence felt noceably. It's quite naturally integrated into the smooth, light steering system but the 10 degrees that you get makes this large SUV quite manuverable in tight spaces. It's less noticeable at high speeds but it must be some help in giving the EQS its stable character. The brakes too weren't especially unnatural in the EQS, they work as intended and dont seem to cath you off guard all that much.

As before you get the three regen levels. We think the normal recuperation is good enough for every day needs although the intelligent mode, as in other Merceds EVs, is especially well calibrated and usually can be relied on. It will even slow down the car to a near halt if it needs to.

Verdict

The Mercedes EQS SUV is being locally assembled in India and is priced at Rs 1.41 crore. This is quite a good deal for what this EV offers. It has all the tech you might want and feels and drives as a Mercedes should. You are a touch compromised in the second row but the trade-off is fair for the extra row you get in the back. Yes the looks may still not be for everyone but if you are in the market for a luxury EV to add to your fleet, the EQS SUV needs a good look.