EQS 450 4MATIC SUV

Driving Experience

The AIRMATIC air suspension delivers a ride that genuinely rivals the S-Class for plushness, even on 22-inch wheels. Power from the dual motors is more than adequate — not warp-speed quick but effortlessly strong for overtaking and daily driving.

Pros

• Ride comfort genuinely rivals the S-Class
• Massive rear passenger space with electric-adjustable second row
• Hyperscreen is spectacular and surprisingly intuitive
• Burmester Dolby Atmos sound system is outstanding
• Huge battery means exceptional real-world range
• 7-seat versatility with electrically folding seats
• Best-in-class headlight tech with Digital Light
• Excellent cabin noise isolation

Cons

• Third row only practical for children or small adults
• 22-inch multi-spoke wheels are a pain to clean
• AC charging at 11kW means very long home charging times
• Heavy due to the massive battery pack
• Flush door handles take getting used to
• No electric slide-out side steps like the Maybach

Value for Money

You get the full S-Class treatment here — Hyperscreen, massage seats, full driver assistance suite, Dolby Atmos, rear entertainment screens, and a panoramic sunroof. There is essentially no direct competitor offering a full-size luxury electric 7-seat SUV in this segment right now.

Verdict

If you wanted an electric S-Class experience but the sedan disappointed you, the EQS SUV is the answer. It is the most convincing luxury electric SUV Mercedes makes and genuinely hard to fault for its intended purpose.

Driving Experience

The air suspension is phenomenal — the body stays flat through corners and lane changes with zero float or wallow. Steering is precise and weighted properly in Sport mode, and the 800 Nm of torque delivers effortless overtaking power that feels completely different from Chinese EVs.

Pros

• Air suspension keeps the body incredibly composed
• 800 Nm torque makes overtaking effortless
• Rear-axle steering shrinks the turning circle dramatically
• Dual rear entertainment screens with Bluetooth headphones
• Full suite of advanced driver assistance systems
• Massive battery provides genuine long-distance confidence
• Burmester sound system with 18 speakers
• Head-up display and triple-screen dashboard

Cons

• Panoramic roof lets in serious heat even on cloudy days
• Rear seat recline angle could be greater
• No rear window sunshades despite luxury positioning
• Seats are firm rather than plush — not S-Class soft
• Driver seat position hard to dial in for some body types
• AC charging limited to 11 kW instead of 22 kW
• Large footprint makes tight parking spaces a squeeze

Value for Money

You get a genuinely complete package here — air suspension, rear-axle steering, triple screens, Burmester audio, and a full safety suite with no obvious options missing. Compared to competitors in this segment, Mercedes has stopped holding back on equipment and it shows.

Verdict

If you want a large electric SUV that drives with European solidity and genuine composure, the EQS 450 SUV delivers. It is best suited for families or executives who value driving dynamics and long-range confidence over ultimate rear-seat pampering.

Driving Experience

The ride is pillowy soft, barely on the edge of floaty, and the cabin is whisper-quiet. Rear-wheel steering makes it surprisingly nimble at low speeds, but there's zero sportiness here and the regenerative braking system with its moving brake pedal is genuinely unsettling.

Pros

• Exceptional ride comfort and acoustic isolation
• Rear-wheel steering gives a surprisingly tight turning radius
• Burmester sound system is phenomenal
• Back seat is incredibly spacious and luxurious in two-row config
• Build quality feels rock solid with heavy satisfying doors
• Thoughtful small features like phone-left-behind alerts
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Cons

• Brake pedal physically moves during regen braking
• Infotainment is powerful but deeply unintuitive to navigate
• All climate controls buried in the touchscreen
• Easy to accidentally hit buttons near the centre console
• No front trunk despite the massive hood
• Charging port can't be closed from the infotainment screen
• Screen gets glossy and fingerprint-covered quickly

Value for Money

You get an absurd amount of luxury tech, premium materials, and thoughtful features crammed into this thing. Whether that justifies it against competitors like the BMW iX depends on whether you value plush comfort over driving engagement and software polish.

Verdict

If supreme comfort and a quiet ride are your top priorities, the EQS SUV delivers in spades. But if you want sporty dynamics or an intuitive infotainment experience, look elsewhere.