Mercedes presents EQS SUV

For those who have the wherewithal to think about buying the Mercedes EQS, the decision is now made much more difficult. After all, the traditional Stuttgart company is now launching the all-electric luxury sedan as an SUV. We take a closer look at the new unveiling of the luxury SUV with EVA2 platform.

Unveiling at online event

Actually, the higher-slung EQS was not supposed to be unveiled between doors. Rather, Mercedes planned to unveil its EQS SUV at this year’s Beijing auto show. However, since this was postponed in view of the complicated coronalage in China, the Stuttgart company opted for a premiere on its own. Nevertheless, the original goal of a presentation in Beijing makes it clear which market Mercedes is clearly aiming at here. But why couldn’t the Stuttgart company wait longer? There are certainly several reasons. Mercedes once again had to experience firsthand how difficult a premiere is in the age of the Internet.

A few days before the unveiling, the first pictures of the electric luxury SUV found their way onto the Internet. Since the presentation was probably already ready anyway, Mercedes then probably took flight without further ado and simply unveiled its latest model in a contemporary online event. Another reason will be the increasing pressure on the electric car market. It almost feels like every day another manufacturer comes around the corner to unveil its latest model. In order to secure the electric luxury SUV market in advance, Mercedes probably just put its money where its mouth is.

Shorter and taller than the sedan

The EQS SUV is the third vehicle on our new all-electric platform. It brings everything our customers love about the EQS – and combines that with the strengths and versatility of an SUV that can seat up to seven people. With the EQS SUV, we continue to consistently implement the strategy of making our vehicles more sustainable and more digital – with the goal of building the most desirable electric cars in the world.Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG

Let’s get down to the nitty gritty and take a close look at the features of the chic SUV. Resourceful connoisseurs of the classic EQS will immediately notice that the EQS SUV is, of course, significantly higher. Mercedes is talking about a height difference of 20 centimeters. However, the SUV version does not set new records in every aspect of size. If you take a look at the width, you will see that it is the same as that of the EQS at just under 1.95 meters. In terms of vehicle length, the SUV even shrinks by about ten centimeters to 5.12 meters.

When it comes to the battery, Mercedes again doesn’t experiment. Why should they? After all, the battery based on the EVA platform also proves to be a very good piece of technology in the sedan. The choice of the same platform also results in the wheelbase. This measures 3.22 meters, which once again ensures the typical futuristic look. Very chic! But the whole thing not only looks good, but also provides a lot of space for the battery, which consists of a total of twelve individual elements. This should be able to convince its user with 107.8 kWh.

Rear-wheel steering comes as standard

What would an SUV be without sufficient ground clearance? Of course, Mercedes has also taken this to heart and significantly mitigated the EQS’ ground proximity by making adjustments to the chassis. In combination with the really remarkably large tires, the EQS SUV is a real eye-catcher for every SUV fan. We are particularly pleased that Mercedes also installs its in-house rear-wheel steering as standard here. This is not the case with the recently launched EQE.

With further steering on the rear axle, the SUV manages an astonishingly small turning circle of just 11.9 meters. Nothing has really changed in terms of charging either. The battery offers 400 volts and can be charged with up to 200 kW, just like the sedan. Those who do not have the option of fast charging via CCS can charge with up to 22 kW. However, this means a surcharge, as only charging with up to 11 kW is standard on board the EQS SUV.

More powertrain for more weight

The EQS SUV doesn’t just look more bulky. It also weighs significantly more at a total of 2.62 tons. If you take a look at the EQS SUV 450+ version, it weighs just under 140 kilograms more than the EQS 450+. As a result, Mercedes has strengthened the SUV’s powertrain. Thus, the basic version in the form of the EQS SUV 450+ comes with 265 kW. This is 20 kW more than the EQS with the same drive. The EQS SUV 450 4MATIC also offers an equally powerful drive.

In combination with the all-wheel drive, this should provide decent thrust. However, this is not yet the locking tip. The third version and, in a sense, the flagship of the EQS SUV is the EQS SUV 580 4MATIC. Here there is a whopping 400 kW. Mercedes itself assures that the more powerful drive does not result from better hardware. Instead, the Stuttgart-based company says it has tweaked the control of the drive a bit. The result was a far more efficient drive, which should soon also benefit EQS drivers via software update.

Aerodynamics play a major role

As the move away from the internal combustion engine allows for new shapes in the design of cars, aerodynamic design is once again playing a major role for automakers. Mercedes already demonstrated how to achieve a good cW value with its EQS and obviously wants to do so again with the EQS SUV. This goal is once again achieved, for example, by the retractable door handles, but also by other subtleties in the design.

With our EQS SUV, we are presenting our first all-electric SUV on the new architecture. The futuristic design consists of an emotional integration of surfaces and shapes, and the seamless transitions reflect our house style. In doing so, we create an aerodynamic and modern look. Together with the novel progressive SUV proportion, we completely redefine the SUV luxury of the future.Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Mercedes-Benz AG

On what values of the SUV comes, however, is as yet unknown. Speaking of unknown. Mercedes also owed us information on the range during its premiere. However, since the battery capacities correspond to those of the sedan, we assume a lower range than the maximum 784 kilometers of the EQS.

A luxurious family car

If you open the trunk, you can benefit from up to 2,020 liters of volume. However, this requires folding down the second and optional third row of seats. With the third row of seats folded down, which is more likely to correspond to daily use, the EQS SUV still offers a proud 565 liters. Those who value a third row of seats will again only get 195 liters of trunk volume.

If you don’t need a third row of seats anyway, it’s advisable to do without it altogether in favor of more trunk space. If the third row is omitted, there is even room for 645 liters and a maximum of 2,100 liters with the second row of seats folded down. Although Mercedes has dispensed with roof rails in favor of aerodynamics, it should also be possible to fit a roof box. Nothing should stand in the way of a family vacation.

Whether family, adventurers, tech fans or music lovers: when the EQS SUV comes onto the market in the second half of 2022, it will fulfill the wishes of many customers. The target groups are diverse, but they are united by an active lifestyle. On top of that, the EQS SUV simply looks good. That’s why we believe the EQS SUV will drive luxury and technology for our customers in this important segment. And in doing so, it embodies the pioneering spirit of Mercedes-Benz.Britta Seeger, member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG

Prices and availability

In terms of prices and availability, Mercedes also showed still covered. Here, too, we can probably only orient ourselves to the prices of the sedan. This currently costs about 107,326.00 euros in the base version (EQS 450+). The all-wheel drive version (EQS 580 4MATIC) will cost at least 135,529.00 euros.

Although we can probably assume that there will not be a counterpart to the EQS 350, an AMG version is probably more than likely. The latter currently costs more than 152,000 euros as the EQS 53 4MATIC+. Based on the prices for the sedan, we can probably assume that Mercedes will set the prices for its SUV a bit higher.