Satisfaction in the Top Segment
On AutoWeek.nl, you can find numerous user experiences of various models in diverse market segments. One segment often appears to be underrepresented: the top segment. Those who buy a car in that class often don’t have time to leave a review. We understand, although we appreciate the rare exception. Ten Mercedes-Benz EQS drivers offer a glimpse behind the scenes.
The German automotive industry and electrification had a somewhat difficult start. It was Mercedes-Benz that wanted to put an end to this with the launch of an electric flagship à la S-Class, resulting in the strikingly designed EQS. You may have strong opinions on its looks, but not that the manufacturer neglected the all-important aerodynamics. A battery pack with up to 108 kWh net capacity should do the rest.
True Electric Touring Car
The combination of ‘good aerodynamics’ and ‘large battery’ should lead to low consumption and a long range. The ideal electric touring car, then? Yes, we already concluded that after analyzing real-world consumption based on user reviews. The conclusion: Mercedes-Benz has indeed built an efficient EV, with which you can actually achieve around 600 kilometers between charges in practice.
Consumption naturally varies with usage, but fortunately, owners also provide insights in that area. “The range is easily more than 400 kilometers (speed between 120-150 km/h),” writes the prospective owner of a 2022 EQS 350 in his striking review.
The driver of an EQS 450 AMG Line is even very focused on consumption and keeps an interesting review. “I have owned the car for sixteen months now, which means one summer and almost two winters of driving. I mainly drive long distances and very little in the city. Trips of less than twenty kilometers therefore do not occur. My consumption is currently at 17.0 kWh on average. I think that is a very good value.” That is understandable.
An early Mercedes-Benz S-Class, generation W140, in the wake of the sleek EQS.
But Also an S-Class?
To be an electric equivalent of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, you need to be able to do more than cover long distances. In that sense, this EQS has big shoes to fill. First of all: the EQS drivers do not write about the amount of space, so apparently that is sufficient for their use. It also seems that none of the EQS owners are being chauffeured.
The seating comfort is regularly praised, including by the owner of a 2022 EQS 450 AMG Line. “The interior is really where the car scored the most points with us,” he says. “Great seats with sufficient adjustment, where the length of the seat can also be pleasantly long.” Another AMG Line driver also speaks highly of the furniture. “My appreciation for the seating comfort has increased. It sits wonderfully, cooled and heated if necessary. I also use the massage seats regularly.”
The owner of a 2024 EQS Sport Edition draws attention to a special phenomenon: “The front seats automatically search for your optimal seating position: weight, height, posture, and I don’t know what. As if the doctor had examined your body beforehand. No wonder I’m already sitting so comfortably before I’ve set anything.” In reality, the system only uses your entered height, but the effect appears to be no less for it.
Road Behavior Pleases
For driving the EQS, roughly the same applies as for the interior space: the drivers pay little attention to it. That doesn’t mean we’re left in the dark about it. An EQS 450 driver who calls his car ‘Teutonic Tesla’ shares the experience. “The car lets you drive calmly and relaxed, and if you want to go a little faster, you can, but in the C(comfort) mode it remains very quiet. Impressive, because I already thought the Tesla was quiet.” As for the powertrain: “The performance is ‘less’ – think acceleration and top speed – but with the rear-axle steering (I have the 10-degree variant), the car is very easy to drive, especially in short bends, highway bends and in the city, and it feels like a smaller car.”
Left the EQS, right the Mercedes-Benz EQE. You have to be a car spotter to quickly see the difference.
Also Quiet at 160 km/h Plus
Another EQS 450 driver is also impressed by the quiet driving experience. “What was striking is the silence in the interior,” he writes. “That will have to do with the smooth body, but even at higher speeds (160+) it remains pleasantly quiet in the car.” The former owner of a 2014 S-Class is not impressed by all the features, but does appreciate one. “The active lane keeping assist and parking assist also had the S. Rear-axle steering is new to me and practical for this battleship. Taking the corner at right angles is too much to say, but a turning circle of 10.9 meters is fine.”
More Screens, More Better?
On the technological front, Mercedes also aimed high with the introduction of the Hyperscreen, a dashboard built up from multiple screens. The owner of a specimen equipped with such a screen is enthusiastic about it: “I actually drive everything with a passenger, if I’m not doing it myself, and then that Hyperscreen is ideal. From the right seat you can operate everything.” Another driver is especially happy with the other controls. “You can operate almost everything with the steering wheel. If you are busy driving: call ‘Hey Mercedes’ and many things are arranged.”
Maintenance, Faults and Irritations
New electric cars are not always immediately ‘out of the box’ in order; we have seen enough examples of that in the meantime. Mercedes-Benz seems to be the exception to this rule, because both the EQC and the EQB simply do well in practice. The more advanced Mercedes EQS also comes off well, but does not appear to be completely problem-free.
An overwhelmingly satisfied owner writes: “There are also setbacks, such as door handles that do not come out of the door due to a design flaw. Those have been replaced under warranty. Furthermore, only software malfunctions in the head-up display and failure of screens. That has happened once in a while; less than with the Tesla, but still.”
He also makes an observation: “I wonder if all assistants are working. The lane change assistant almost always works to the left, rarely to the right. In the loan EQE, both worked from the driveway to the highway.” It is not the only owner who complains about the driving assistance systems. One owner even dedicated an entire review to it. There are also particularly positive reviews of this system, so perhaps there is an exemplary problem.
The owner of an EQS from 2022 reports some minor problems at the beginning. After a little more than a year, he writes: “The teething problems have now been resolved and there are no more strange software messages, although those messages never jeopardized the operational reliability. In other words: a very satisfied EQS driver!” And so the electric flagship of Das Haus also scores a solid pass with most owners.