You‘ve admired the iconic three-pointed star badge on Mercedes luxury vehicles your whole life. But with sustainability and technology rapidly transforming transportation, even heritage automakers must evolve. Enter the company‘s first dedicated electric flagship – the visually stunning, tech-packed 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan.
Does this battery-powered Model S fighter live up to the unmatched prestige of gasoline-era Mercedes sedans? Or fall short of Tesla-worthy greatness? By peering under the skin of the EQS 450+ and pricier 580 4Matic variants, we‘ll uncover whether Stuttgart‘s vision of an electric S-Class hits the mark.
EQS Origins: Mercedes Commits to an Electric Future
Mercedes made early moves into electrification in 2016 by launching the EQ sub-brand and allocating over $12 billion towards 10 new electric models by 2025. But it wasn‘t until the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show that the Vision EQS concept first previewed a potential battery-powered successor to the S-Class.
Fast-forward to April 2021 and the production EQS made its worldwide debut at Auto Shanghai. Initially offered solely in rear-wheel drive EQS 450+ guise starting at $102,310, an AWD 580 4Matic variant quickly followed suit priced from $125,900. Since then the lineup has expanded to include even quicker six-figure AMG and EQS SUV spinoffs.
Clearly Mercedes is all-in on transitioning its flagship sedan and SUV portfolio to zero-emissions models in coming years. By earmarking $47 billion more dollars towards electric vehicle investment through 2030, the march towards an increasingly electrified fleet looks inevitable.
EQS Sales Figures Confirm Strong Global Demand
| Year | Global EQS Sales |
|---|---|
| Q4 2021 | ~2,000 units |
| Q1 2022 | ~5,000 units |
| Q2 2022 | ~4,400 units |
| Q1-Q3 2022 Total | ~15,400 units |
Impressively Mercedes has found no shortage of buyers for its bespoke electric sedan even at $100k-plus entry pricing. Combined with the new EQS SUV that arrived in late 2022, total units deliveries could feasibly double year-over-year indicating white-hot momentum.
Detailed Specs Breakdown: Which EQS Configuration Fits You?
We know you lead an on-the-go lifestyle shuttling between business meetings, weekend road trips and airport runs. Does the EQS make sense as your daily driver? Let‘s examine how its dual powertrain options measure up spec-wise:
EQS 450+
- Motor: Rear AC synchronous electric (single)
- Power/Torque: 329 hp / 417 lb-ft
- Range: 350 miles (EPA est.)
- Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds
- Drive: Rear-wheel drive
- Price Starts at: $102,310
EQS 580 4Matic
- Motors: Front/Rear AC synchronous electric (dual)
- Power/Torque: 516 hp / 631 lb-ft
- Range: 340 miles (EPA est.)
- Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds
- Drive: All-wheel drive
- Price Starts at: $125,900
The EQS 580‘s +187 horsepower and instantaneous AWD traction clearly give it a performance edge for just $24k more. But is the single-motor 450+‘s cheaper price and 10 extra miles of battery range a better match for your daily commute? Only you can decide!
How Does The EQS Stack Up To Rivals?
| Model | Power (hp) | Torque (lb-ft) | 0-60 mph (sec) | Range (miles) | Price Starts at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes EQS 580 4Matic | 516 | 631 | 4.1 | 340 | $125,900 |
| Tesla Model S Long Range | 670 | ?? | 3.1 | 405 | $104,990 |
| Porsche Taycan 4S | 490 | 464 | 4.0 | 227 | $105,150 |
Porsche may still rule if you crave a more sporting drive, but the EQS competes nicely for sheer power. Tesla maintains a big range edge, though lags on 18-month waitlists.
A Visual Masterpiece Inside and Out
Your jaw will drop when seeing the EQS‘ fluid "one-bow" exterior styling in person. Frameless doors and a taut, disappearing waistline culminate in a tapered fastback rear. Add the flush door handles and continuous front light strip, and the world‘s most aerodynamic production auto looks appropriately futuristic.
But design influence also flows from past greats like the 1950s 300SL with its hood ornament and hoop rear wing. Classic three-pointed star hood and trunk inserts connect the EQS to Mercedes lore. Whether finished in obscure Argentium Silver or one of five other sophisticated colors, few cars elicit such unique curb appeal.
The interior takes a lighter, airier ambiance than the cockpit-style S-Class. Quilted leather, open-pore wood and microfiber suede couple timeless luxury with contemporary elegance. What immediately grabs attention though is the curved screen band housing three LCD displays. At 56-inches in length – from a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster to expansive 17.7 OLED center touchscreen to front passenger display – the hyperscreen provides a virtual interface worthy of a concept car. 64-color ambient lighting only heightens the Star Trek-vibe.
Enthusiast Reviews Confirm: "Even more impressive in person…the most beautiful sedan on the market.” – Alex On Autos
Silky Performance & Handling from a 5,700-lb Luxury Liner
Make no mistake, tipping the scales over 3 tons endows the EQS with heavyweight handling. Air suspension, rear-axle steering and acoustic glass aim to deliver the vaunted “magic carpet ride” effect of S-Class lineage. Engineers sweated the details to filter out vibrations and road impacts from entering this serene mobile sanctuary.
Straight-line speed stands out as a real highlight though courtesy of instantly available electric torque. In as little as 5.9 seconds for the 450+ – or 3.4 seconds for the raucous AMG-tuned model – you’ll hit 60 mph with only the faintest whisper soundtracking acceleration. Credit the ultra-low 0.20 drag coefficient (world’s lowest for a production auto) for enabling both slippery aerodynamics and composure at extra-legal Autobahn speeds.
Mercedes quotes a maximum 130 mph top end, meaning this boulevard cruiser focuses more on refinement than breakneck pace. That said, the EQS platform has room to grow:
Mercedes Head of Design Robert Lesnik explains: “We have much more torque and much more power capability left in the electric motors that we have installed in these vehicles.”
Real-World Range, Charging & Ownership Considerations
On one hand, the EPA-estimated 305-350 mile range suits most daily driving needs and enables cross-country road trips with some planning. Fast 200 kW charging unlocks 186 miles of range in just 15 minutes during highway stops.
But relative to Tesla, maximum range and charging times could still improve to ease consumer anxiety. Add the reality that public charging infrastructure outside urban centers remains spotty.
Prospective owners without home or workplace chargers should weigh these factors against six-figure purchase prices. Survey data shows over 80% of EV owners charge most often at home, relying on public stations primarily for longer trips. Those lacking reliable overnight charging access may better suit a conventional hybrid or plugin-hybrid.
However satisfying range anxiety remains high on Mercedes radar:
Mercedes Head of R&D Markus Schäfer: “We are improving…battery cell chemistry to increase range during real-world conditions.”
So buyers can expect progress on this front.
Verdict: The EQS Revolution Has Arrived
It’s clear after analyzing Mercedes‘ multi-billion dollar EV expansion that electrifying its luxury fleet isn’t just ambitious product planning – it‘s an organizational revolution. And the elegant EQS sedan leads the charge not just technologically but also emotionally for the brand’s global fanbase.
Sure Porsche and Tesla may still claim an edge respectively in sporting pedigree and raw range. But by artfully infusing electric mobility with the richness of S-Class lineage in such a stunning manifesto of sustainable luxury, Mercedes unquestionably emits a halo effect onto its entire model portfolio.
So for those desiring a discreetly high-tech, visually arresting luxury liner to waft effortlessly forth into an emissions-free future, the EQS sedan presents an obvious choice. Act now to experience the dawning of a new automotive era from the oldest name in the business.
