2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS

How does the EQS drive? The EQS drives a lot like a typical large luxury sedan. Power from the EQS 450+, which is what we tested, is similar to what you might expect from a conventional gas-powered six-cylinder engine. In Edmunds' testing, the EQS 450+ reached 60 mph from a standstill in 5.7 seconds. While that's certainly adequate, most luxury EVs are capable of considerably quicker acceleration. Performance from the EQS 580 or AMG EQS should be more satisfying.

The braking experience in the EQS is odd. You can adjust the amount of regenerative braking (it slows the car down using the electric motor and recoups some electricity in the process) but the EQS' brake pedal moves in accordance with the amount of regen braking you select. So when you go to press on the brakes, the pedal is sometimes already halfway to the floor. Ultimate braking performance, though, is quite good. Our test car stopped from 60 mph in an admirable 111 feet. But note that the pedal travel is quite long and requires a heavy push with your foot.

The EQS 450+ won't be a sedan that will have you seeking out curvy roads. The steering is light but accurate and has good straight-line stability. This luxury sedan is best for straight cruising on the highway.

How comfortable is the EQS? Comfort is a strong suit of this large Benz. The front seats offer a wide range of adjustment and a good blend of firm but forgiving cushions. The EQS is also one of the quietest cars we've tested, with minimal outside noise making its way into the cabin. The ride quality is smooth, though we think the S-Class is ultimately a bit better at smoothing out bumps in the road.

The climate control is almost all touchscreen-based but is easier to use than most touchscreen interfaces. There's a screen that provides real-time air quality inside and outside of the cabin, which we found very cool. Both the seat heat and ventilation functions are very effective, and the optional massaging feature is helpful to keep the blood flowing on longer drives. Disappointingly, the EQS 450+'s rear seats don't have any controls or separate settings unless you opt for the top Pinnacle trim.

How’s the interior? Our test EQS 450+ did not come with the new dashboard-wide Hyperscreen, but the standard screen is pretty sizable and easy to navigate. The on-screen menus are complex, but ultimately the system is not hard to figure out. We also like how easy it is to see out of the EQS. The surround-view camera system takes all the guesswork out of avoiding objects when parking.

Oddly, the EQS is lacking rear seat space. Rear legroom is OK, but there's not much headroom considering this is a large luxury sedan. Passengers 6 feet tall or taller will likely be bumping their heads up against the roof.

How’s the storage? The EQS doesn't have a front trunk like the Tesla Model S does, but we'd argue it doesn't need one. The rear cargo hatch is huge, accommodating 22 cubic feet of stuff behind the rear seats. And if you need more space, the seats fold flat in the 40/20/40-split configuration. Storage for small items in the cabin is equally impressive, with an assortment of generously sized bins with cleverly organized compartments.

Got small kids to drive around? There's a good amount of space for installing child safety seats in back. However, the angled bottom rear seat cushion can make it a little tricky to securely strap a seat down. The lower Isofix anchors and the rear top tethers are pretty easy to access.

Is the EQS a good value? Build quality is quite agreeable and nice up front, but sit in the back and you can see some cost cutting. Our test car lacked rear seat adjustments and had few controls other than for the windows. For a $100,000-plus vehicle, you might feel like you got shortchanged a bit.

That aside, the EQS is an attractive option given its interior. It's technically a size class up compared to its current closest competition from Porsche and Tesla, but prices are fairly comparable. You also get a lot of standard features.

Mercedes' warranties are average for the class, and the EQS also has a battery warranty for 10 years/155,000 miles (ensuring it maintains at least 70% of its battery capacity). Mercedes also offers two years/20,000 miles of free maintenance, though there isn't much to maintain on an EV.

The EQS 450+ is impressively comfortable and practical. Many of its clever features up the entertainment factor too. However, it lacks the handling prowess of the Porsche Taycan and the outlandish straight-line speed of the Tesla Model S. Some of our test experts aren't thrilled with the way the EQS looks. Mercedes-Benz chose funky over sexy. It does have some interesting lines and details to it, but some luxury EV shoppers might expect more.