► Merc’s high-rise EQS SUV driven
► Mega range and refinement
► But we’re not convinced it’s that good
You’re looking at the massive electric flagship of the Mercedes EQ range: the EQS SUV. As the name suggests, it’s a larger, taller version of the already vast EQS saloon, and it promises to pack all the luxury of the ICE-powered Sonderklasse into a seven-seat battery-electric body.
Thing is, going bigger and bolder doesn’t always make for a better car. The S-Class has long been a flagship because it stays relatively restrained while delivering genuinely innovative tech. The EQS SUV, by contrast, makes a louder entrance. We’ve tested the EQS 450 extensively on UK roads to find out where it fits in, and whether it truly deserves flagship status.
Should you buy a Mercedes EQS SUV? It delivers impressive range and refinement, but it’s expensive and dynamically underwhelming. There are better-driving options out there for less money.
Here’s how we test cars, and why you should trust us.
At a glance
Pros: hugely refined, impressive electric range, packed with technology
Cons: vague steering, inconsistent braking, unsettled ride quality
What’s new?
The EQS SUV was launched in the UK in 2022 and has seen only minor updates since then. It sits atop the Mercedes EQ range as the full-sized, fully electric SUV flagship, using the same EV architecture as the EQS saloon and EQE SUV. It’s available in 450 and 580 forms, both using the same 108.4kWh battery and dual-motor all-wheel drive system.
In 2024, Mercedes introduced subtle tech changes, including software updates and improved efficiency through better energy management. But at its core, the EQS SUV remains largely unchanged – a big, imposing EV aimed squarely at luxury SUV buyers.
What are the specs?
This is a long-legged car, with both versions offering similarly impressive driving range – up to 364 miles for the 450, and 363 miles for the 580.
Performance differs more noticeably. The 450 produces 355bhp and 590lb ft of torque, which is enough to get it from 0-62mph in six seconds. The 580 ups that to 536bhp and 633lb ft, trimming the 0-62mph sprint to 4.6 seconds. Top speed is limited to 130mph in both versions.
Standard kit includes air suspension and rear-wheel steering, with up to 10 degrees of rear steer to aid manoeuvrability. Charging speeds of up to 200kW are possible, meaning a 10-to-80% top-up in around 31 minutes at a suitably rapid public charger.
How does it drive?
Let’s start with the good. That enormous battery gives the EQS SUV a genuinely useful range. Even in cold winter testing on UK roads, it makes close to 300 miles. Charging performance is also decent, if not class-leading, with fast top-up times possible at high-speed DC points.
Refinement is another strong point. This is one of the quietest cabins we’ve experienced in recent Mercedes models, thanks in part to the standard Acoustic Comfort package, which includes laminated glass and extra insulation. Even at motorway speeds, it’s impressively hushed.
But dynamically, the EQS SUV disappoints. The steering is overly light and doesn’t inspire confidence, even at higher speeds. Rear-wheel steering helps at low speeds, but the transition can feel unnatural. Worse, the brakes are inconsistent. There’s an inch or so of dead travel, followed by a sudden grab – which makes it hard to stop smoothly and consistently.
The ride is unsettled too. Despite having air suspension, it feels wallowy over undulating roads and is easily flummoxed by poorly surfaced tarmac. It also crashes over potholes more than you’d expect given the plush setup. It’s hard to believe this is the same company that builds the S-Class, which still manages to deliver a supple, composed ride without feeling sloppy.
What about the interior?
The EQS SUV is suitably plush inside. Mercedes has been through a rough patch recently with creaky and cheap-feeling interiors, but this feels like a return to form. The materials are soft and premium, and the standard Burmester 3D audio system is genuinely excellent.
Standard equipment is generous in AMG Line Premium Plus trim. You get 21-inch wheels, acoustic glass, biometric tech for the infotainment, heated and cooled seats with memory, and much more. The optional Hyperscreen setup is still present, but we’d recommend avoiding it – it’s more about wow factor than usability.
Space is plentiful. The second row is especially roomy, and boot space is vast too. All EQS SUV models in the UK are seven-seaters, although the rearmost row is really best for children. One drawback is that the car never feels anything less than enormous. It’s wide, long, and not especially easy to place on narrow roads.
The MBUX infotainment system remains a mixed bag. It’s slick in isolation, but interacting with it while trying to manage the bulk and vague dynamics of the EQS SUV can be frustrating. The interface becomes harder to use the larger the car gets.
Before you buy
The EQS SUV is available in AMG Line Premium Plus or Business Class trim levels. The former focuses on front-row luxury, while Business Class prioritises rear-seat comfort and includes the Hyperscreen as standard.
Prices ranged from around £115,000 to £135,000 at the time of writing, depending on spec. That places it squarely in competition with cars like the BMW iX and upcoming Lucid Gravity, not to mention the Range Rover Electric for those wanting similar comfort and more off-road kudos.
If you don’t need seven seats, the EQE SUV is worth considering. It has almost all the same technology, drives better, and costs around £40,000 less.
Verdict
The EQS SUV feels every inch the luxury flagship when it’s parked up or cruising quietly along a motorway. It’s packed with tech, beautifully insulated and has an impressive electric range. On those metrics, it delivers.
But there’s no getting away from the fact that it doesn’t drive particularly well. The steering is vague, the brakes inconsistent and the ride quality lacks polish. For this kind of money, that’s disappointing – especially when rivals like the iX and EQE SUV offer more rounded packages.
There’s potential here, but as it stands, the EQS SUV is more about show than substance. If you want a rolling tech showcase with space for seven, it ticks the boxes. If you want a satisfying drive to go with it, look elsewhere.
Specs are for an EQS SUV 450 AMG Premium Plus