Mercedes-Benz will expand their electric vehicle family with the EQE SUV and EQS SUV later this year. These will be zero-emission alternatives to the EQE and EQS sedans, and they are based on the same EVA platform, packing different all-quiet powertrains, some of which were signed by AMG.
12 photos

Having some big shoes to fill, the EQS SUV will be the first of the two to premiere. It will debut next month and will be put together at the Tuscaloosa factory, in Alabama, next to the GLE and GLS, where it will be joined on the assembly line by the slightly smaller EQE SUV.

So far, we have seen the Mercedes EQS SUV in different environments, with our spy photographers snapping it numerous times. The Stuttgart car brand has put the spotlight on it too by teasing it, so we already have a good idea of what to expect, or do we? Actually, now we do, because the automaker has finally allowed outsiders to experience the high-rider first-hand.

One of them was MercBenzKing, whom you may remember from one of our previous stories in which he detailed that extremely expensive CLA. The young man took a trip to Sweden to drive a prototype of the EQS SUV on a frozen lake, revealing some of its quirks and features – oh wait, that’s somebody else.

Anyway, the video that you are about to watch down below is a little over 10 minutes long and focuses on the most important aspects of the vehicle. It starts by giving a tour of the camouflaged tester, revealing its key fob, and trunk space, before moving on to the cabin, on the first and second rows. Subsequently, he set it loose on the ice, putting it through its paces sideways, with the traction control turned off. Thus, if you want to see what the EQS SUV is all about before its big debut, you have come to the right place.

When the 2022 Mercedes-AMG EQS arrives at US dealers later this spring, it will start at $148,550. That price includes the $1,050 destination charge and a lot of power from AMG’s first battery-electric production model.

The AMG EQS certainly has the performance numbers to back up that price. The dual-motor powertrain can pump out up to 751 horsepower (560 kilowatts) and 752 pound-feet (1,020 Newton-meters) of torque with the car’s boost function. The car’s standard output is still a bonkers 649 hp (483 kW) and 700 lb-ft (949 Nm) of torque. Mercedes will offer the AMG EQS in two trims: Exclusive and Pinnacle. However, the company didn’t detail their specific differences.

The AMG EQS will go on sale with a long list of standard features that includes the brand’s massive, 56-inch MBUX Hyperscreen that hides three screens under a single sheet of glass. Every AMG EQS model also arrives with the AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system, the AMG Ride Control+ suspension, and rear-wheel steering. The car also receives the brand’s suite of safety features.

AMG did more than turn up the power. Engineers tweaked several aspects of the car, giving it a unique subframe, motor mountings, and rear axle beam. AMG engineers also installed the AMG Sound Experience, allowing drivers to select three sound characteristics for their vehicles.

Power comes from a 107.8-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery that can receive over-the-air updates to rejigger the car’s battery management system. The range is still a mystery, though the AMG EQS can add 186 miles (300 kilometers) of range in just 15 minutes with the quick-charging. Mercedes will offer AMG EQS customers complimentary 30-minute DC fast charging and two years of free maintenance.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG EQS might be a first for the performance brand, but it won’t be the last. Partial and fully electric powertrains are proliferating throughout the Mercedes and AMG lineups. We expect to learn the car’s official range closer to the car’s launch later this spring. The AMG EQS constitutes a $45,000 premium over the standard EQS’s starting price at just over $100,000. Is the extra power worth the price premium?

The Mercedes-Benz EQ family continues to grow – both in size and number – with a utility version of the EQS sedan. Called, unimaginatively, the EQS SUV, this new all-electric model will be the first SUV on Mercedes’ new EPA-2 platform. EPA-2 was designed for Mercedes’ electric vehicles and has so far brought us the EQS luxury sedan and the upcoming EQE sedan. An EQE SUV is also in the works.

Recently, Mercedes provided Autoblog with a preview of the new model decked out with an AMG line exterior package in Alpine Grey. Strong family ties between these platform-mates mean that parts of the EQS SUV should look familiar to anyone who’s seen the EQS sedan. The expected “one-bow design” has been stretched and heightened to accommodate the SUV shape, with the A pillar pushed forward and D pillar thickened. The standard panoramic sunroof looks black, helping to make the SUV look lower when painted in a light exterior color. The EQS SUV also looks smaller than it is thanks to the flexibility offered by the platform and the different proportions used. The fascia remains authoritatively aerodynamic even if the overall efficiency numbers won’t be as good as the ultra-slippery EQS. Two-tone running boards on each side and a rear diffuser extend the flat undercarriage for improved aerodynamics.


PlayThe EQS SUV will have an interior that’s uncannily similar to the EQS sedan, especially the instrument panel. The EQS SUV can unsurprisingly be equipped with a version of the Hyperscreen, which uses three screens covered by a single, 56-inch curved glass surface. Regulations and technological advances have come together in the passenger side of the system, since it is now legal to have the passenger screen show moving images while the car is in motion. Aesthetically, Mercedes designers didn’t want to put a lenticular cover on the passenger screen, so they decided to use the precise eye tracking software used by the driver alertness warning system to determine if the driver is looking over at the moving images. If they are, the video pauses until the driver looks back to the road ahead.

Acres of entertainment are just one of many shared traits between the two. The wheelbase for both is 126.4 inches, even though the SUV is more than 7.8 inches higher than the sedan to help with packaging seats for as many as seven people. The SUV’s rear taillights contain the same helix spiral used in the EQS and the EQE. Like the EQS, the EQS SUV will also offer rear wheels that can turn by as much as 10 degrees, which is considerably more the 3- to 5-degree norm. This feature will be standard in the United States and reduces the turning radius from 39 to 36 feet. Air suspension and active safety technologies will also be included.

The EQS SUV we got to peek at has prototype doors with an electronic locking mechanism that can prop them open at any angle. Mercedes representatives said this will be a feature in future models, but the first EQS SUVs will have the standard notches in their door hinges.



Two versions of the EQS SUV will be available when it debuts: the EQS 450+ SUV and the EQS 580 4MATIC SUV. The standard EQS 450+ SUV will have an electric motor on the rear axle that produces 355 horsepower and 419 pound-feet of torque, while the 4MATIC versions put motors on each axle for a total output of 536 hp and 633 lb-ft.

Mercedes says the 107.8-kWh battery pack (that’s usable energy, not gross) should be enough to give the EQS SUV an expected range of 373 miles on Europe’s WLTP test cycle. Official EPA numbers for the U.S. will be available later this year, but at least we know that DC fast charging up to 200-kW will be possible at the right charging stations, and the EQS SUV will come with two years of free charging at Electrify America stations thanks to Mercedes me Charge.



The EQS SUV is a larger EV designed with Americans in mind. So much so that it will go on sale in the U.S. before any other market. The all-electric SUV will be built at the Mercedes plant Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in a "completely CO2-neutral way” starting this summer, the company said. The EQS SUV goes on sale in the fall.

As for the name, Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius said back in December during the EQS press launch that the decision to call it EQS SUV was to keep things clear and simple.

“Could we have called it EQGLS? …” he asked rhetorically, slowly working his way through each letter of the ponderous alternative nomenclature before abandoning the effort. “I guess. But we thought this was easier for people to understand.”

This is a Mercedes-Benz that has been modified by Brabus, which means you may be expecting some form of bonkers power upgrade and tyre-shredding torque.

But hang on a second, because the German tuner hasn’t actually touched the powertrain of the EQS. Instead it has focused on aerodynamic efficiency and increasing its all-electric range. Yep, Brabus has gone all sensible.

There’s a new ECU module, but rather than remapping the engine (or electric motor in this case) it targets the air suspension and drops the EQS’s ride-height by 15mm at the front and 20mm at the rear.

Combined with a number of new 20- to 22-inch wheel design options (Monoblocks for the win) and a couple of carbon fibre add-ons such as a spoiler and a new front lip, this helps improve the Cd value of the EQS by 7.2 per cent. As a result, Brabus says you should get seven per cent more range.

With the Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV, the legendary brand is presenting its first all-electric series model. It is based on the technology of the EQS SUV from Mercedes-EQ and combines it with the exclusivity of Maybach - in line with Karl Maybach's maxim: "What is good must also be beautiful". The special exterior with an upright Mercedes star on the hood and a striking black panel front, which carries the specific Maybach radiator grille into the age of electromobility, ensures an unmistakable appearance. The optional two-tone paintwork is also typical of the brand. Thanks to exquisite materials, perfect craftsmanship and exclusive details, the spacious interior offers a holistic comfort experience with a cocooning effect. With its consistent interpretation of Sophisticated Luxury, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV sets the new benchmark in the all-electric top-end luxury SUV segment.

"Mercedes-Maybach customers expect the extraordinary, and we aim to exceed their high expectations. The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV unites our ambition to lead in digital and electric with our focus on the luxury segment. The very first all-electric vehicle from Mercedes-Maybach complements the best technologies from Mercedes-Benz with the extra comfort and individual details that are only available from Mercedes-Maybach." Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management Mercedes-Benz Group AG

"The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV is our first all-electric, full-size luxury SUV. At Mercedes-Maybach we strive to add the shine of the extraordinary to the beautiful. The interior is an emotional and stylish statement. The lounge character promises luxurious travel at the highest level. Together with the innovative, progressive SUV proportions, we are completely redefining the SUV luxury of the future." Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Mercedes-Benz Group AG

"The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV is a milestone in our brand history. For us, it embodies nothing less than the redefinition of automotive excellence in the age of electromobility. Our customers can look forward to an absolutely top-class electric driving experience - with the aura of the extraordinary that is typical of Maybach." Daniel Lescow, Head of Mercedes-Maybach, Mercedes-Benz Group AG

The exterior design: Front end typical of the brand, chrome accents and brand emblem as a design element

Mercedes-Maybach enriches the dynamic purpose design of the EQS SUV from Mercedes-EQ with exclusive elements that give it its very own character. The Mercedes star sits enthroned on the hood, defining the status. The front is characterised by the brand-typical black panel with vertical, chrome-plated trim strips in a three-dimensional depth look. The large black panel is smooth closed for the first time. The high-tech element for the radar sensors is fully integrated and no longer visible. Chrome-plated, filigree slats can also be found on the air intake of the bumper. The classic MAYBACH lettering is discreetly incorporated into a chrome-plated decorative strip, which forms a unit with the continuous light strip of the standard DIGITAL LIGHT headlights. The Maybach pattern with several small brand emblems can also be found in trim parts of the side bumper. DIGITAL LIGHT welcomes and says goodbye to the driver with a special light show. As a further greeting, an animated projection of the Maybach pattern shines in all four doors.

When viewed from the side, specific features include the bold chrome surrounds on the side windows and the chrome-plated B-pillar trim. This decorative element is an integral part of the Mercedes-Maybach signature and highlights the length of the rear seating area. A Maybach emblem on the D-pillar underlines the high quality. The lettering EQS is subtly integrated into the front window triangle. The pronounced wheel arches with claddings in high-gloss black emphasise the SUV's power and emotional presence. Appropriately, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV rolls on exclusive 21 or 22-inch alloy and forged wheels. The MAYBACH lettering can be found on the integrated, exquisitely designed wheel hub caps. Another eye-catcher are the standard running boards, which are illuminated in the dark. The treads are made of anodised aluminium, which echoes the pinstripe look of the black panel front. The Maybach emblem is also stylishly integrated here.

At the rear, the rear lights underline the exclusive character as a continuous light strip with a two-part helix. The lights are animated across the entire width. There are also chrome trim elements on the tailgate, on the rear apron and the spoiler lip, as well as the MAYBACH lettering.

The special appearance of the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV also includes the brand-typical two-tone paintwork with a filigree pinstripe. It is applied by hand according to the highest quality criteria and is available in five color combinations: high-tech silver/obsidian black, high-tech silver/nautical blue, obsidian black/selenite grey, obsidian black/kalahari gold and velvet brown/onyx black.

The interior design: The fusion of tradition and avant-garde

The design of the interior also consistently follows the Maybach credo "What is good must also be beautiful". A highlight for the front passengers is the standard MBUX Hyperscreen with "zero layer" and Mercedes-Maybach-specific start-up animations on all three displays. The overall visual appearance is specially designed for the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV in an elegant deep blue. The numerous exclusive features include the animated display of the instrument cluster in "MAYBACH" mode. The pointers in the two tubes are designed like a silk scarf that moves elegantly in the wind according to the speed and driving style. At the same time, the digits change their size and are dynamically faded in or out. The surrounds for the round instruments are in rose gold, which is typical of the brand. An alternative display form to the tubes is the sporty "Pure EV" style. A three-dimensional performance bar conveys the respective driving status (driving, accelerating, charging).

The central display starts with the familiar home screen and the so-called "zero layer". In this basic setting, the navigation map dominates. The driver can carry out 80 percent of the most common interactions directly without changing the application. The system reacts situationally and is personalised with intelligent suggestions and forward-looking offers.

The functional content and operating structure of all three displays correspond to those of the EQS SUV from Mercedes-EQ. The appearance can be customised with three display styles (discreet, sporty, MAYBACH) and three modes (navigation, assistance, service). In the discreet style, the content is reduced as much as possible and harmoniously co-ordinated with the colour change of the selected ambient lighting.

The rear passengers experience the same extensive range of infotainment and comfort features with two 11.6-inch displays on the backrests of the front seats. With the standard MBUX High-End Rear Seat Entertainment, content can be shared quickly and easily on the various displays. It is also possible to select and modify the navigation destinations from the rear seats. The standard equipment also includes the MBUX rear tablet, which can also be used outside the vehicle, and the MBUX Interior Assist. With the help of cameras, it can recognise the operating requests of the passengers from body and hand movements and carry out the corresponding functions - for example switching on the reading lights.

Natural materials made with perfect craftsmanship create a stylish contrast to the high-tech look. The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV comes standard with Maybach Exclusive Nappa leather in the warm colours espresso brown/balao brown pearl. Macchiato beige/bronze brown pearl is optionally available. For an even more sophisticated look, Maybach MANUFAKTUR Exclusive Nappa leather is available as an option in crystal white/silver grey pearl. The leather in all interior colours comes from sustainable processing. Natural woods are available as decorative parts: MANUFAKTUR brown open-pore birch wood and brown open-pore MANUFAKTUR walnut wood, as well as MANUFAKTUR piano lacquer black flowing lines.

The Maybach emblem, which is integrated at various points as a design element, underscores the high-quality appearance that is typical of the brand. It adorns the stainless steel pedal system, the cushions on the headrests, the front seat backrests and, as a projection, the footwell in the rear. In conjunction with the first-class rear, it can also be found on the wood trim between the rear seats. When the trunk is open, it can also be seen on the inner lining of the tailgate. The brand lettering differentiates the steering wheel and welcomes all passengers on the stainless steel door sills in illuminated form.

Since their launch, Mercedes-Benz has continuously developed the EQS and its siblings. Independent of model updates and faster than ever before, innovations have been incorporated into the series for the EQS, EQE, EQS SUV and EQE SUV. The company has responded to market and customer feedback more quickly than ever before with numerous product upgrades. For the current change year 2024, the EQS is now receiving an extremely extensive update package. The electric flagship comes with up to 82 kilometres more range, a new radiator cover with chrome applications and an upright Mercedes star on the front hood as well as even more comfort in the rear.

The EQS was already one of the electric cars with the longest range. In the future, customers will be able to cover even more kilometres without stopping to charge. Thanks to an increased battery capacity from 108.4 to 118 kWh, the maximum range of the EQS 450 4MATIC, for example, increases from 717 to 799 kilometres. This means an increase in range of more than 11 percent. With a range of 683-822 kilometres, the EQS 450+ even exceeds the 800-kilometre mark.

Mercedes-Benz has increased the towing capacity for the EQS and EQE sedans with 4MATIC from 750 to 1,700 kilograms. This means they reach a similar level to the SUV derivatives. For example, customers can now tow a horse trailer.

Another technical measure: Due to the high proportion of recuperation in daily operation, the brake discs are used less often than in combustion models. In the future, a special function will maintain the brake system by automatically applying the pads to the discs from time to time.

The new EQS can be ordered from April 25, 2024. Despite the upgraded standard equipment, the basic prices remain unchanged.

Avant-garde EQ look combined with the iconic Mercedes star: the new radiator cover

The distinguishing feature of the Mercedes-EQ vehicles is the deep black radiator grille (black panel), which connects seamlessly with the headlights. The designers have now refined this independent face for the EQS: The electric flagship is equipped with a new radiator cover with chrome applications as standard in the Electric Art Line. Chrome-plated and flush-mounted slats create an elegant contrast to the deep black surroundings. This grille is combined with a standing star on the front hood and combines avant-garde EQ looks with the iconic, status-conscious Mercedes-Benz symbol.

The sense of high-quality details is also reflected in the interior: the ventilation nozzles on the B-pillars now have a frame made of galvanised chrome. The additional cushion in the rear is enhanced by piping made of Nappa leather.

Continuous improvements in rear comfort

EQS that are equipped with the optional Rear Comfort Package Plus with executive seats (3,867.50 euros including VAT) now have a special slanted footrest on the right side in the rear compartment. Placed between the rails of the front seat, it noticeably increases comfort for the rear passenger because he or she can place his or her feet at an angle.

This latest detail is another, but by no means the only, convenience of the Rear Comfort Package Plus: the passenger seat can be folded forward and the backrest in the rear can be adjusted up to 38 degrees. This ensures more space. The optional equipment also includes seat heating Plus and neck and shoulder heating in the rear, as well as pneumatic adjustment of the seat depth. An illuminated trim piece is integrated into the back of the front seats.

The fact that Mercedes-Benz has increased the rear comfort of the EQS in several steps also applies to the Rear Seat Package that has been standard for some time. The angle of the backrest can be adjusted from 27 to 36 degrees at the touch of a button. The layered look of the seat covers emphasises the individual seat character. Five millimetres more foam in the backrest and the cover that is detached from the side bolsters ensure a softer seating experience.

Automatic lane changing on two-lane highways

With the "Automatic Lane Change" (ALC) function, Mercedes-Benz now also offers an intelligent further development of driving assistance systems in the SAE Level 2 range in Europe. Automatic lane changing is supported on motorways with two structurally separate lanes with a specified speed limit of no more than 140 km/h. In the EQS models of the 2024 modification year, the function is installed ex works.

The Automatic Lane Change is part of the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC with Active Steering Assist. If a slower vehicle is driving ahead, the car can initiate the lane change itself within a speed range of 80-140 km/h. If the radars detect sufficient space and lane markings are identified, it can overtake the slower vehicle in front completely automatically. The prerequisites are a highway with at least two lanes with a speed limit and the vehicle being equipped with MBUX navigation. The system does not require any further input from the driver to carry out the automatic lane change.

The responsibility for driving the vehicle remains with the driver. Lane changes must therefore be monitored continuously. Mercedes-Benz already offers automatic lane changing for some model series in the USA and Canada.

High-quality special edition: black lacquer and white Nappa leather

With the MANUFAKTUR Selection, the EQS sedan is available as a special edition with particularly exquisite features. This exclusive version is painted in obsidian metallic, alternatively the exterior colours MANUFAKTUR opalite white and MANUFAKTUR night black MAGNO are also available. The standard Electric Art exterior includes AMG Styling and the new radiator grille with chrome applications and an upright star on the hood. 53.3-centimetre (21-inch) AMG light-alloy wheels in multi-spoke design are fitted.

Also on board as standard are the Rear Comfort Package Plus with Executive seats, the Rear Seat Package Plus with seat air conditioning in the rear and the MANUFAKTUR interior package, the latter with special MANUFAKTUR upholstery in exclusive Nappa leather in deep white/black. Edition-specific features include the throw cushion with contrasting stitching and silver-grey piping as well as rose-gold embroidery, the headrest cushions with an embroidered Mercedes star in rose gold and the door sill trims. They have a black PVD coating, illuminated Mercedes-Benz lettering and Mercedes-Benz pattern. The floor mats have an embroidered Mercedes star and are edged in deep white with rose-gold stitching.

The trim parts are made of anthracite open-pore linear-structure lime wood, and an exclusive "MANUFAKTUR Selection" edition badge sits on the centre console. Microfibre MICROCUT black was selected for the interior headliner. The MANUFAKTUR Selection model can be combined with all engines. The surcharge for the special edition is 16,600.50 euros (including VAT).

Raise your hand if you saw this coming. Taking a page from BMW’s book, Mercedes plans to sell the next-gen S-Class with combustion engines and completely electric drivetrains. It effectively means the EQS will go away after a single generation, but not before a mid-cycle facelift. The current S-Class is also getting a facelift before transitioning to the next-gen model.

The important announcement was made by Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius in an interview with Autocar: "There will be two S-Classes in the future–ICE and electric." The head honcho in Stuttgart went on to say the gas and EV versions of the flagship will have similar designs inside and out. But while the BMW 7 Series and i7 use the same platform, that apparently won't be the case for the S-Class, according to undisclosed sources cited by the British magazine.

The S-Class without a combustion engine is expected to sit on the MB.EA Large architecture whereas the model with gas power will be underpinned by an updated iteration of the current MRA hardware. At the end of June, Källenius refuted rumors about the cancellation of the MB.EA platform, saying its development "is running at high speed." In the new interview with Autocar, he denied the report again: "We're already planning with MB.EA Large." In mid-May, German publication Handelsblatt stated the next-gen EV architecture had been scrapped.