The futuristic 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQS electric sedan offers up thrilling performance, high-tech luxury

The world of electric luxury sedans is growing, and one of the newest additions in this lucrative segment is the Mercedes-EQ EQS Sedan. “EQ” is the electric subbrand of Mercedes-Benz, and the EQS Sedan is the biggest, fanciest, and sportiest sedan in the EQ line. It takes many of the virtues of the iconic S-Class — a supremely luxurious interior, the latest tech features, and an exciting drive — and packages them in a sleek EV. The EQS Sedan competes primarily with the Tesla
TSLA,
+0.49%
Model S, BMW i7, and Porsche
POAHY,
+0.59%
Taycan.

As the Mercedes-EQ line grows, there are a couple of other options worth noting. There’s an all-new Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV which, as its name implies, is essentially an SUV version of the EQS Sedan. There’s also the smaller, more affordable EQE Sedan that delivers many of the virtues of the EQS at a more attainable price point.

See: The Mercedes EQS electric SUV is about as opulent as it gets

2023 Mercedes-EQ EQS pricing

The 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQS Sedan starts at $104,400. The AWD-equipped 450 4Matic model begins at $107,400, and the dual-motor EQS 580 starts at $125,950. The pricing of the EQS Sedan is similar to the Tesla Model S. The BMW i7
BMW,
+0.76%
 is more expensive, and the smaller Porsche Taycan has a lower starting price than the EQS.

• EQS 450+: $104,400

• EQS 450 4Matic: $107,400

• EQS 580 4Matic: $125,950

• AMG EQS: $147,550

These are the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices and don’t include the $1,050 factory-to-dealer delivery fee.

Before buying an EQS Sedan, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay.

Check out: The 2023 Rivian R1S is a rare combination of a large electric SUV with off-road chops and a luxury cabin

What’s new?

The EQS Sedan gets a few welcome improvements for 2023. For starters, the EQS 450 4Matic model has arrived. It adds AWD to the base model, significantly bringing down the cost of entry for an EQS with AWD.

The 2023 model also improves rear-seat comfort in the Pinnacle trim with an improved seat cushion and upholstered comfort pillows. The Executive Rear Seat Package Plus adds Adaptive Rear Compartment Lighting and MBUX Interior Assistant Rear.

Finally, an all-new set of 20-inch AMG 5-spoke wheels are available across the whole EQS Sedan model range.

Driving the 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQS

If you’ve never driven an electric vehicle before, prepare to be thrilled by the Mercedes-EQ EQS. In our testing, even the base EQS 450+ model delivers quick and effortless acceleration and gets even faster in the dual-motor EQS 580 model. The torque is delivered to the wheels instantly with no revving up required, and the process is nearly silent.

A harsh reality of electric cars is the significant added weight compared to a gas-powered counterpart. However, Mercedes did an excellent job mitigating the extra weight in the driving experience. The battery is packaged in the bottom of the car, and 4-wheel steering comes standard. The result is a low center of gravity and much more agile handling than you might expect from a vehicle of these dimensions and this curb weight. In spirited driving at high speeds as well as in low-speed parking lot maneuvers, we found the EQS to drive like a smaller car.

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A pair of paddles on the steering wheel lets you select the level of regenerative braking, which recaptures energy from braking to preserve range. In the default mode, it decelerates more or less like a regular car. When you turn up the recuperation, it’s more like one-pedal driving with more aggressive regenerative braking kicking in when you take your foot off the accelerator.

A word about the high-performance AMG EQS; it’s absolutely stunning. We spent some time behind the wheel of one in and around Denver, Colorado, and driving it is like playing a video game. This car’s 700 lb-ft of torque is delivered to all four wheels with instant thrust, but it still feels composed and under control. The AMG model takes an already fun-to-drive car and cranks up the performance to the next level.

Interior comfort

When we climb into the driver’s seat of the EQS Sedan, it feels like part low-slung sports car and part full-size luxury sedan. A high-tech cockpit greets the driver with either a standalone digital gauge cluster or the massive Hyperscreen spanning the width of the dash.

As you might expect for a luxury sedan with a 6-digit price tag, the interior design is sophisticated, and the material quality is top-notch. Mercedes did an excellent job striking a balance between traditional automotive luxury and modern technology. Rose gold accents are a signature of the EQ line, and they look great in the cabin of the EQS.

The front seats are supremely comfortable with plenty of room. The rear seats have good legroom, but the headroom in the back is a bit compromised by a sloping roofline. This isn’t an issue if your rear-seat passengers are under 6 feet tall, but taller adults might have to sit a bit awkwardly to fit.

Adding to the practicality of the EQS is a big trunk, and the rear seats can fold down to yield even more cargo space.

Also see: Volvo’s new electric EX30 offers exceptional safety and power—and the price is a bargain among EVs

Exterior styling

The Mercedes-EQ EQS Sedan has sleek body lines and a futuristic aesthetic that retains a hint of traditional Mercedes styling while looking thoroughly modern. The body is more aerodynamic than the more traditional, gas-powered S-Class.

Favorite features

350-mile range
The base EQS 450+ achieves an impressive EPA-estimated 350-mile range on a full charge. Even if you add all-wheel drive (AWD) with the EQS 450 4Matic model, it reaches 340 miles of range.

Hyperscreen
The stunning Hyperscreen is a massive display that spans the whole dash of the EQS. It houses three different screens in one display: a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 17.7-inch infotainment screen, and a 12.3-inch passenger display. It’s standard on the dual-motor EQS 580.

4-wheel steering
Standard rear-axle steering can turn the rear wheels up to 10 degrees. This goes a long way in compensating for the extra weight that comes with an EV, giving this big electric sedan agile handling.

Augmented reality
Augmented reality (AR) is one of the most futuristic tech features of the EQS Sedan. The standard navigation system uses AR to give clear navigation directions. The available AR head-up display can superimpose arrows and street names on the road in front of you.

Executive Rear Seat Package Plus
This option package turns up the luxury for the rear-seat passengers. It adds multicontour rear seats with a massaging function, rapid-heating seats, neck heating, and an MBUX tablet.

Mercedes me Charge
The Mercedes me Charge app makes finding a charging station near you easy. On top of that, you get two years of free 30-minute DC fast-charging sessions through Electrify America when you buy or lease an EQS Sedan.

Engine and transmission

EQS 450+

The base EQS 450+ model uses a single-motor electric powertrain. This setup makes less power and more torque than the gas-powered S 500 and claims a 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds. The EQS 450+ has the best range in the EQS lineup with an estimated 350 miles on a full charge.

According to Mercedes, the battery can charge from 10% to 100% in 11.25 hours with Level 2 charging. With DC fast charging, it charges much quicker, from 10% to 80% in 31 minutes.

Single electric motor
107.8-kWh lithium-ion battery
329 horsepower
417 lb-ft of torque
EPA combined fuel economy: 97 MPGe
EPA range: 350 miles

Plus: The Maserati Grecale goes electric: When can you get one?

EQS 450 4Matic

The EQS 450 4Matic model is new for 2023. It uses a dual-motor setup that produces a higher output than the EQS 450+ with a quicker 0-60 mph time of 5.3 seconds. The 4Matic model also adds the benefit of all-wheel drive (AWD). Compared to the EQS 450+, the EQS 450 4Matic has the same charge times and a similar range — 340 miles on a full charge.

Dual electric motors
107.8-kWh lithium-ion battery
355 horsepower
590 lb-ft of torque
EPA combined fuel economy: 103 MPGe
EPA range: 340 miles

EQS 580 4Matic

Upgrading to the dual-motor EQS 580 improves performance and brings standard AWD. The performance upgrade is noticeable, and it has a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds.

Since the EQS 580 uses the same battery pack as the more affordable models, it has the same estimated charging times.

Dual electric motors
107.8-kWh lithium-ion battery
516 horsepower
631 lb-ft of torque
EPA combined fuel economy: 95 MPGe
EPA range: 340 miles

EQS AMG

The dual-motor setup in the AMG EQS Sedan rockets this car from 0-60 mph in as little as 3.4 seconds. Unsurprisingly, the AMG has the lowest range estimate in the EQS Sedan lineup, but it’s still plenty useful, with 277 miles of range.

Again, this has the same battery pack as the lower trims and the same estimated charging times.

Dual electric motors
107.8-kWh lithium-ion battery
649 horsepower (up to 751 hp with AMG Dynamic Plus package)
700 lb-ft of torque (up to 752 lb-ft with AMG Dynamic Plus package)
EPA combined fuel economy: TBA
EPA range: 277 miles

More EQS Sedan fuel economy information is available on the EPA’s website.

4-year/50,000-mile warranty

The basic warranty and powertrain warranty both cover the EQS Sedan for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. You also get roadside assistance coverage for the same amount of time and miles. On top of that, the EV battery is covered by a 10-year/155,000-mile warranty.

This coverage is similar to the BMW i7 and Porsche Taycan, and the Tesla Model S has an 8-year/150,000-mile warranty.

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This story originally ran on KBB.com.