Mercedes-lineup Benz’s follows a very straightforward pattern: create a vehicle for nearly every category and then produce an SUV equivalent for each.
It’s unsurprising that Mercedes-electric Benz’s system, the Mercedes-EQ, would follow suit. Now that we’ve had a chance to drive and enjoy the flagship EQS sedan, it’s time to dream bigger.
Mercedes-Benz introduced the EQS SUV for 2023 on Tuesday. The formula is simple: take the EQS sedan and enlarge it by 7.8 inches, keeping the 126-inch wheelbase but adding 7.8 inches in height.
However, it isn’t an ideal match for the huge GLS-Class SUV. The EQS SUV’s rear roofline taper helps it cut through the air more efficiently, which wouldn’t be possible if the roof was flat all the way to the back end. Even so, there’s enough room inside for a third row of seating if desired.
The styling of the EQS SUV should be expected. The headlights and grille on the front fascia are almost identical to those on the EQS, and the EQE and EQB have a similar “look.”
Expect a lot more of this expression in the future. The SUV’s back end has the same single-taillight configuration as the EQS, but the lights appear significantly thinner due to the SUV’s rear proportions.
Although the company has yet to reveal the vehicle’s official drag coefficient, the running boards below the doors are integrated into the body and contribute to the vehicle’s aerodynamic prowess. It won’t be as nimble as the EQS, but it should be just as effective.
Inside, the EQS SUV retains all of the EQS’ best features. Whether it’s the leather throughout the cabin or the ingenious new rosewood trim with stainless-steel Mercedes stars pressed into it, everything is covered in materials that are soft or warm to the touch.
The second-row seats can move up to 5 inches fore and aft. The trunk has up to 31 cubic feet of storage with the third-row seats folded down or not included, and expands to 74 cubic feet with the second row folded down. When all of the seats are in place, the capacity is reduced to 7 cubes.
Hyper screen combines a 12.3-inch gauge display, a 17.7-inch infotainment screen, and a 12.3-inch passenger screen beneath a single pane of glass, and is offered on the base EQS 450 plus SUV and standard on the EQS 580 SUV.
It’s equipped with the most recent version of Mercedes-MBUX Benz’s infotainment system, which incorporates inbuilt navigation with natural language understanding, as well as standard smartphone features like Apple “CarPlay” and Android Auto.
Up to seven distinct profiles can be stored in the system, which are triggered by a fingerprint sensor or facial recognition (Hyper screen is necessary for this final portion). On long journeys, six 100-watt USB-C connectors will keep everyone’s electronics charged.
In the EQS SUV, safety technology did not take a back seat. Adaptive cruise control with route-based speed adaption, automated emergency braking, active lane-keeping aid, blind-spot monitoring, vehicle-to-x communication, active parking help, and a surround-view camera are all included in the standard equipment list.
To read our blog on “Mercedes-Benz EQXX concept car traveled over 1,000 km on a single charge,” click here
