Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 2023 Review

Just one version of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is available in Australia at launch – a seven-seat burger with the lot called the EQS 450 4MATIC, priced from $194,900 plus on-road costs.

At that price, the EQS SUV undercuts the equivalent EQS sedan, simply yet confusingly known plainly as EQS, by about $25,000. It also pushes Mercedes’ SUV range to new heights in terms of pricing, usurping the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ SUV as the most expensive electric high-rider in the stable.

The EQS SUV marks the first proper full-size, seven-seat electric SUV to our market, so rivals are a little thin on the ground.

Logical cross-shoppers include the Audi Q8 e-tron, BMW iX and Jaguar I-PACE. Somewhat lower in the food chain, at $100K, there’s also the soon-to-launch Kia EV9.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 SUV isn’t shy with its equipment. Standard items include 21-inch alloy wheels, digital light LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, four-zone climate control, 64-colour ambient interior lighting, power-adjustable second-row seats, AMG Line interior, leather upholstery, Nappa leather steering wheel, power-adjustable Comfort seats with heating and ventilation plus wood interior trim.

Naturally, there are optional extras to be found in the sales catalogue too.

The $11,700 Comfort Plus package adds a rear-seat entertainment system with wireless headsets, comfort arm rest, MBUX rear tablet, wireless phone charger, pillow-style rear head restraints, heated second and third rows and a heated steering wheel.

Also available is the innovative MBUX Hyperscreen Package ($6700), as seen in the EQS sedan.

The EQS SUV is backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty in Australia, while its battery is covered by a separate eight-year/160,000km fixture. Inclusive in those terms is five years’ complimentary roadside assist.

One potential bone of contention for prospective buyers is the cost of servicing.

Despite EVs requiring less routine maintenance than combustion vehicles, the EQS 450 SUV will set buyers back $2350 over the first three years of ownership, or $4280 over five years – both based on 12 month/15,000km intervals.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV has yet to be crash-tested by Euro NCAP, from which ANCAP will publish a local rating, but it’s worth pointing out that the EQS sedan has received a maximum five-star result, with very high levels of performance across the assessment criteria.

Standard equipment on the Australian-spec EQS 450 SUV includes Mercedes’ Driving Assistance Package Plus, which bundles DISTRONIC Active Distance Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, route-based speed adaptation, Active Traffic Assist, Active Steering Assist, Active Lane Change Assist and the PRE-SAFE Impulse Side accident preparation system.

The standard 360-degree rear-view camera is complemented by forward-facing and rearward-facing cameras, which go some way in offsetting the EQS SUV’s considerable 5.12-metre length.

At low speed (up to 30km/h), sound is generated to warn pedestrians and other road users.

For those concerned about the safety of the electrical architecture, Benz says there are both automatic and manual voltage cut-off systems which operate in the event of a significant crash. In some instances, that shutdown requires a professional reboot.

Infotainment in the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV comprises a 12.8-inch centre touch-screen display, matched by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display.

Within that, the EQS 450 boasts wireless smartphone charging and wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are also over-the-air software updates easily configurable via the Mercedes-Benz app.

Audiophiles will appreciate the mega 15-speaker Burmester 3D sound system that is also standard. It is superb.

Like the regular EQS limousine, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 4MATIC SUV draws energy from a 265kW/800Nm dual-motor powertrain fed by a big 108.4kWh lithium-ion battery.

Acceleration from 0-100km/h takes a respectable 6.0sec, according to the manufacturer. That’s quite a feat given the car’s hefty 2918kg kerb weight and is delivered via a continuously variable all-wheel drive system.

Elsewhere, the EQS is suspended via a four-link axle at the front and a multi-link configuration at the rear, while AIRMATIC air suspension with continuously adjustable damping allows additional control, plus the ability to raise or lower the height of the vehicle by several centimetres.

Up front, large discs are clamped by four-piston callipers. The rear set-up uses twin-piston callipers.

In addition to the mechanical braking system, up to 290kW of energy recuperation is delivered and there are low-traction and off-road modes incorporated into the system’s smarts. The latter give the EQS SUV remarkable traction.

Rear-axle steering with a steering angle of up to 4.5 degrees is fitted standard; it affords a tighter turning circle at low speeds and greater stability as speeds rise.

This is a key consideration for most buyers. According to the manufacturer, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 SUV will cover 592km on a single charge based on a claimed average power consumption figure of 20.5kWh/100km.

However, that figure is based on lab-based NEDC ratings. In reality, we found 400-450km a more accurate gauge.

The SUV purportedly features 200kW DC charging capabilities and can manage up to 11kW when using an AC outlet, such as a wallbox.

Mercedes says the EQS 450 4MATIC SUV’s battery takes 31 minutes to be charged from 10-80 per cent when using an ultra-fast charger, with up to 250km of range being added in just 15 minutes.

On test, we saw charging peak at 125kW using an NRMA Tritium charger. It meant we were able to charge from 54 to 80 per cent in about 17 minutes.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 4MATIC SUV is arguably the best luxury execution of an electric vehicle in Australia so far.

At least, that’s the initial gist for this correspondent.

The driving environment is serene, pampered and outright comfortable, with nicely weighted controls, well-honed suspension and a perfectly modulated accelerator pedal that feels more akin to the linearity of a combustion vehicle.

There’s a decidedly digital veneer to the entire driving experience, with minimal road feedback through the steering wheel, and a well-hushed cabin that feels protected from road noise and wind noise alike.

That, and the driving position is very starship command, with a high-set curved dashboard and door cards that create an intimate cabin environment.

Although some drivers may find the EQS SUV’s size initially intimidating, we are enamoured by its ease of passage through tight spaces and the fitment of rear-wheel steering, which figuratively reduces its footprint in car park scenarios.

The exception to the polish (at least on our test car), is the wooden-feeling brake pedal, which feels inconsistent with its response and general take-up, and doesn’t exactly instil confidence upon more urgent stopping situations.

Partially offsetting this problem is the installation of handy three-stage regenerative braking, which are operated via steering wheel-mounted paddles. They allow the EQS to breathe on the road in terms of rolling resistance, or offer full regen ability on descents.

On the handling front, the EQS SUV resists head-toss and is mostly bereft of excessive body pitch or roll during changes in direction. The high-riding stature and excess weight is by no means infallible, but the EQS SUV is quite content touring at brisk speeds if keeping its size in mind.

The EQS SUV builds speed effortlessly and does an excellent job in cosseting occupants from what’s happening underneath, with excellently controlled damping through harsh bumps or drawn-out obstacles alike.

These factors are probably more impressive when you consider the fitment of 21-inch wheels and low-profile Pirelli P Zero tyres, in addition to the 2.9-tonne kerb weight. The EQS really has no right to ride the way it does.

The drivetrain is linear and refined in its day-to-day actions, accompanied by a suitably digital whirr which changes pitch as speed and rpm increases.

All told, luxurious probably best sums up the driving experience. Probably the best compliment you could give the EQS SUV is that it feels inherently like a Mercedes-Benz with its basic character traits – and above all else, it makes you feel special behind the wheel.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV can comfortably cover dirt roads and very light obstacles, but its minimum 192mm ground clearance ultimately puts paid to any serious off-roading.

Benz isn’t shying away from the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV being its new electrified SUV flagship, and it certainly fits the bill where interior treatment, presentation and amenity is concerned.

The big seven-seater feels cosseting and opulent inside, with detailed surface treatments, timber highlights and myriad digital screens which draw the eye yet are functional and easy to navigate.

The all-encompassing centre infotainment screen and black centre dashboard fascia are both a magnet for fingerprints and dust, though this will hardly be a revelation for current Benz owners who simply carry a microfibre cloth in their travels.

Stepping into the cabin is a cinch, courtesy of wide running boards and big door apertures for the first and second rows.

Once inside, the seats are broad, bolstered and comfortable, offering ample support on longer journeys.

The large open glasshouse enables excellent outward vision for both the first and second rows and no shortcuts have been taken with respect to materials, craftsmanship or cabin fitment and finish – the one exception being the absence of second-row window shades.

Both rows are treated to a flat floor space and face-level air vents, the second row sporting separate outlets at the back of the centre console and in the B-pillars.

The EQS SUV properly capitalises on its skateboard architecture origins up front by offering a cavernous open cubby space in place of a traditional transmission tunnel; it offers ample space for wallets, phones, odds and ends – perfect for business or weekend adventures.

There are four USB-C points up front and an additional two USC-C ports in the second row.

A less tangible luxury is the sheer space on offer. First- and second-row occupants are treated to acres of kneeroom, headroom and shoulder-room, those elements accentuated in our test vehicle with the fitment of soft headrest pillows and contact points.

The third row is a little less convincing, with tight proportions, no separate air vents and a limited thoroughfare via the second row (although the seats are adjustable electrically, which is handy).

Whereas the second row boasts two ISOFIX child seat attachment points and three top tether strap points, the bleachers offer nothing, reinforcing the EQS SUV’s positioning as a 5+2-seat offering rather than an all-out seven seater.

Even with the 130mm fore-aft adjustment of the second row, the boot area (which spans between 645 litres and 800 litres depending on cabin configuration) is quite narrow in its layout. It means there isn’t a lot of room left after a full-size suitcase or a designer pram.

The EQS 450 SUV also has a limited 1.8-tonne braked towing capacity and no spare tyre of any kind.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 SUV does exactly what it says on the box: it is the consummate execution of an electric luxury SUV.

The EQS SUV charters new territory for the EV crowd in Australia, and with its layout and passenger amenity we’d dare to speculate it will likely break new ground for Mercedes’ dedicated ‘S’ audience – namely, well-heeled families.

The EQS SUV offers a genuine alternative to the seven-seat combustion SUV, and even withstanding the price, it’s an impressive machine in every respect.

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 4MATIC SUV at a glance:
Price: $194,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: Two permanent magnet synchronous motors
Output: 265kW/800Nm (140kW front; 265kW rear)
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 108.4kWh lithium-ion
Range: 592km (NEDC)
Energy consumption: 20.5kWh/100km (NEDC)
Safety rating: Not tested