• Purpose-built EV architecture: Discover the benefits of a design engineered from the ground up for electric performance, rather than being adapted from a petrol model.
• Exceptional driving range: Travel with peace of mind with a rated range of up to 453 miles on the EQS 450+, which brings outstanding real-world results.
• Revolutionary MBUX Hyperscreen: Engage with a 56-inch curved glass dashboard that reimagines the entire cabin interface (optional).
• Next-generation luxury: Revel in a cabin that redefines quiet, comfort, and luxurious materials and truly sounds like the next step in automotive innovation and refinement.
• Versatile performance options: Select a model to suit your driving preferences, from the calm efficiency of the 450+ to the exhilarating power of the AMG 53.
• Advanced aerodynamic design: Experience the benefits of a class-leading drag coefficient that minimises wind noise and maximises the overall on-road efficiency.

Navigating the EQS Sedan: A Real-World Driving Review

Climbing into the EQS, you are immediately enveloped by silence. This car doesn’t simply start; it awakens. In city settings, the serenity makes turning the daily drive into a nerve-rattling chore into a moment of relaxation. Driving the EQS in slow-moving city traffic is astonishingly easy. The electric motors’ instant torque means that there is no delay or hesitation when pulling away from a traffic light or when merging into a small opening in traffic. It hustles along with such a seamless, firm rush that working through stop-and-go traffic becomes natural and effortless. A highlight here is the rear-axle steering. I squeezed the EQS into a tight spot in a grocery store lot that a multi-point turn would have been needed for in most large saloons. The system allows this big beast of a machine to dance gracefully, greatly reducing its size when squeezing through tight spots and making poor city ruiners very happy.Whether on the motorway or on a long journey, the EQS comes into its own as a superb long-distance cruiser. All variants are excellent, but none is like the rest. The EQS 450+ represents the peak of tranquil travel, riding over bumps and rough patches in the road with such serenity that it shields you from the world beyond the windows. The suspension seamlessly glides over rumble strips and pot holes, the resulting ride is so buoyant that one fancies they are flying. The all-wheel-drive EQS 580 4MATIC introduces another dimension of solid confidence, feeling as if it is firmly tethered to the tarmac, particularly in crosswinds or rain. The AMG 53 is sportier, but no less comfortable, happy to put the power down, but just as happy pottering about quietly. I leaned on the adaptive cruise control quite a bit on the long drive from Bristol to Manchester. It’s so well-tuned that it closely monitors speed and distance with the car in front to such an extent that you hardly need to use the pedals, coming to your destination feeling rested rather than weary.And the EQS is also pretty good in terms of living with it all day. The boot is huge, with more than enough space for a full weekly shop, a pushchair and luggage, with space to spare, so your practicality fears can be put to rest. But it’s the one-pedal driving feature, made possible by the advanced regenerative braking system, that really changes how you drive. At the highest level of regeneration, the car decelerates quite aggressively as soon as you take your foot off the accelerator, while regenerating energy back into the battery. In the stop-and-start traffic of city streets, I rarely found myself pressing down on the actual brake pedal. Knowing how to use this technique isn’t just efficient, it’s downright satisfying; it makes you wonder why more cars don’t drive this way. It’s these considerate, practical innovations that make the EQS more than just a luxury product, turning it into a genuinely smart and useful daily driver.

• Rear-Axle Steering: Effortlessly navigate tight city streets and parking spaces, making the large saloon feel remarkably agile.
• Adaptive Cruise Control: Enjoy relaxed, stress-free motorway journeys as the car intelligently manages speed and distance for you.
• Intelligent Regenerative Braking: Experience seamless one-pedal driving in traffic, enhancing efficiency and simplifying your commute.
• Instant Electric Torque: Pull away from junctions and merge into traffic with smooth, immediate, and silent acceleration.

Power and Poise: Differentiating the EQS Sedan Models

Performance numbers on a page provide a baseline, but they don’t really tell you what makes each Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan unique or how it feels in the real world. The fundamental differences are really evident once you are at the wheel, when you can really feel how each vehicle delivers its power to the road. Driving dynamics are tailored to taste, from the tranquil efficiency of the 450+ to the visceral punch of the AMG 53, but they all have one thing in common: an ultra-sophisticated, next-generation engineering that in and of itself own right makes them well worth driving.The EQS 450+ is the very embodiment of ease and grace, and can be said to be one of the purest representations of the EQS’ true north. With the rear-wheel-drive configuration, it offers a traditional rear-wheel drive, front-engine balanced driving experience that prioritises comfort and fuel economy. You can rest assured that its 329 horsepower and 568 Nm torque are capable of some pants-wetting silent acceleration; the car crosses the 62 mph (100 km/h) mark in a little over six seconds. On the road, that makes for a smooth, predictable powertrain that never makes you feel like you’re being jerked around or pushed too hard. It is not a car that demands to be thrown around; rather, its pleasure is in being driven in a more relaxed fashion, gliding serenely. The driving dynamics are confident and controlled, and it sits as a perfect long-distance motorway companion with its main duty to ferry you from A to B feeling relaxed and not the least bit fatigued. Adding a substantive degree of performance and confidence. When combined, they produce 516 horsepower and a massive 855 Nm of torque, which allows the 0-62 mph time to drop to a quick 4.3 seconds. This extra strength can be sensed immediately, in reality. The car launches from rest with a commanding, comforting rush that rolls you gently deeper into your seat. The AWD system offers excellent traction, so the 580 feels particularly grounded and secure, especially when powering out of corners or driving in inclement weather. I thought this was an ideal all-rounder, bringing the plush luxury of the 450+ with a driving confidence on twisting country lanes that was surprisingly inspiring.Sitting at the top of the line-up is the AMG 53 4MATIC+, showing that an electric saloon can deliver real high-performance excitement. This is not just an EQS with more power, but a whole performance package, tweaked by the AMG flavour wizards. The powertrain, brakes and suspension have all been adjusted for a more exciting driving experience. It has 649 horsepower in its standard setup, but based on equipment, it can develop 751 horsepower with the AMG Dynamic Plus package by using the Race Start function, going from 0-62 mph in just 3.4 seconds. The adrenaline is flying high, and to say that the addiction is unstoppable would be the understatement of the year. The car feels more nimble, it turns in more quickly, and the standard optional AMG Sound Experience produces a futuristic turbine-like whine that enriches the sensation of velocity. It is an outstanding feat that provides a truly dynamite, yet manageable, performance, demonstrating that the future of AMG is not just electric but also extremely thrilling.

• EQS 450+ Rear-Wheel Drive: Enjoy a classic, serene driving experience with smooth power delivery and a focus on maximum range and comfort.
• EQS 580 4MATIC All-Wheel Drive: Benefit from enhanced traction and confident handling in all conditions, paired with a significant boost in acceleration.
• AMG 53 Performance Tuning: Experience thrilling, sports car-level acceleration and sharpened handling for a deeply engaging and dynamic drive.
• Tailored Power Delivery: Choose the model that perfectly matches your desired driving style, from calm and composed to explosively powerful.

EQS Interior and Practicality: Luxury That Works for Real Life

A luxury car means nothing style-wise unless it fits into our day-to-day use kind of way. The Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan does just that, demonstrating that ultra-modern styling and sumptuous comfort can be combined with down-to-earth, family-oriented utility. I wasn’t just taken aback by the whisper-quiet ride and the technology, but by how seamlessly the car mapped onto real-world requirements. Everything from boot space to rear-passenger comfort has been designed with an empathetic understanding of what makes a car not just aspirational, but one that you can really live with for the long haul.” It strikes the perfect balance between the grand sense of occasion that a flagship Mercedes should convey and the everyday usability you really require.”The first test of any usable car is its storage capacity, and the EQS does not disappoint. The boot has a useful 610 litres of space, which is quite realistic. The car, which I get to drive for a week, has no problem swallowing up just about everything I deposit. A weekend with the family, complete with bulky luggage and kiddy gear, was a breeze. On a separate occasion, an ambitious garden project was easily handled. Folding down the back seats makes the space enormous, resulting in a box so huge that it stacks up to many wagons, which means those rare and necessary trips to IKEA or for other bulk goods become even less stressful than they already were. Space and luxury are present in abundance in the cabin. The purpose-built EV platform also makes possible a ‘cab-forward’ layout, with wheels at each corner and an incredible amount of interior space. I purposely sat in the back, and even with the front seat adjusted for a tall driver, there was no shortage of legroom or headroom. The quality of the materials is outstanding; from the luxurious leather upholstery to the cool feel of authentic wood trim and precision-manufactured metal switchgear, every surface exudes quality. This is a cockpit that not only looks spectacular but also feels incredibly well-made, allowing it to provide a calm, comfortable experience for the driver, both behind the wheel and as a passenger along the way.Certainly, the highlight of the interior is the optional MBUX Hyperscreen. The mesmerising, 56-inch curved glass screen combines three individual displays into a single uninterrupted unit, stretching from one side of the dashboard to the other. At first, I was worried it would be a distracting gimmick, but after about five minutes, its friendly “zero-layer” interface made it second nature. The system smartly brings the more important functions to the top, so you’re never digging into menus. One brilliant touch that allows my partner to handle the navigation and media selections without interfering with my driving, which is invaluable on longer trips, is a passenger-side display. And while the conventional tablet-style screen is more than good enough, the Hyperscreen makes the interior feel extraordinary, seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technology with a user-friendly approach.

• Expansive 610-Litre Boot: Confidently handle family holidays, shopping runs, and bulky items with a cavernous and easily accessible luggage area.
• Spacious Rear-Seat Comfort: Provide passengers with generous legroom and a luxurious environment, thanks to the dedicated EV platform.
• MBUX Hyperscreen: Interact with a stunning, intuitive 56-inch display that puts navigation, entertainment, and vehicle controls at your fingertips.
• Premium Cabin Materials: Enjoy a sophisticated atmosphere crafted from high-quality leather, wood, and metal, delivering a true sense of luxury.

Decoding the Tech: What the Mercedes-Benz EQS Gets Right

The modern luxury car is as known for its technology as its performance, and the Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan is a masterclass in weaving cutting-edge features into the driving experience. This isn’t technology for technology’s sake; all the systems have a point, whether it is to make your trip simpler, safer, or your ownership more hassle-free. While I have spent a lot of time with the car already, I am convinced these systems truly come together the best during the second act of the video when you’re taking on a Pikes Peak-style course. It’s a sophisticated suite of tools that supports you without ever becoming intrusive.At the centre of the experience is the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system. All EQS models are equipped as standard with a high-resolution central touchscreen and a sharp digital instrument cluster, which are already among the best in the business. The navigation, for example, gives clear, easy-to-follow instructions with augmented reality overlays that show arrows and street names over a live camera view of the road you’re on. I found this extremely useful when I was driving through complicated city interchanges since it took away the question of which turn to take. Safety features are also very comprehensive as standard, with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring among the many advanced driver-assistance systems included. These things work with such smooth precision that you start feeling as if they are a natural extension of your own body, offering a subtle safety net that makes long drives a little less laborious.Needless to say, the optional MBUX Hyperscreen is the star and turns the cabin into a digital command centre. The three screens are integrated into a single unit made from curved glass that measures 56 inches. The “zero-layer” interface is brilliant, as it uses artificial intelligence that learns your usage habits and preemptively brings the most relevant apps, such as navigation, phone and music to the main screen so that you do not have to go to menus quite often. As for my second passenger, the dedicated screen was put to good use to search points of interest and control the playlist, all while keeping me on the road. It’s a remarkable feat of engineering that really does suggest what lies ahead for automotive interiors.At last, Mercedes has given considerable thought to the charging process, which has been one of the biggest deterrents for potential EV buyers. The EQS is capable of 200 kW fast charging, which significantly reduces the wait time at public chargers. I made a coffee and plugged in on one leg of my journey; in just under half an hour, the battery was just shy of 80% full, enough to get me to my destination. At home, with the use of a regular wallbox charger, the car would be able to charge its battery overnight with no trouble. The Mercedes Me Charge network also offers a simplified solution for public charging by providing one access account to a multitude of providers, allowing you to use a single app and payment card instead of managing multiple ones. This intelligent system makes living with the EQS exceptionally easy and hassle-free.

• Augmented Reality Navigation: Navigate complex junctions with confidence as turn-by-turn directions are overlaid onto a live view of the road ahead.
• Comprehensive Safety Systems: Drive with peace of mind knowing that advanced assists like adaptive cruise and blind-spot monitoring are actively supporting you.
• 200 kW Rapid Charging: Spend less time waiting and more time driving, with the ability to add significant range in as little as 30 minutes.
• Mercedes Me Charge Network: Access a vast network of public chargers with a single account, simplifying payments and locating stations.

The Financial Case for the EQS Sedan in the UK

When it comes to entering the realm of flagship electric motoring, it’s not just about the initial purchase price; it’s more about the full ownership experience. The Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan makes a compelling financial argument that stretches far beyond the sales floor. Although the initial outlay is high, the running costs, tax credits and long-term value proposition are very different to that of a regular petrol or diesel car. Upgrading to an electric vehicle of this magnitude unlocks an array of savings and perks that drastically mitigate the overall cost of ownership over time, thus making luxury driving not only sustainable but financially savvy as well.Among the most immediate financial benefits of owning an EQS in the UK are the government incentives and taxation policies that support the transition to EVs. For private individuals, the 100 per cent relief from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), or road tax, means a substantial yearly saving. In addition, the EQS is exempt from congestion charges in major cities such as London, which can reach thousands of pounds per year for daily commuters. For business users, the benefits are even more profound. The extremely low Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rate for electric cars means company car drivers will now only pay a tiny amount of the tax they would owe on a petrol or diesel car with a comparable list price. This one thing can make the EQS a shockingly accessible vehicle for executives and directors.The real bargain in maintenance, though, is the cost of “fuel.” Charging an EQS at home, especially on an off-peak electricity plan, significantly lowers your spending compared with filling up at a gas station. For example, a full top-up that delivers hundreds of miles of range may cost you just a few pounds, a contrast to the ever-rising price of oil-based fuels. Although public fast charging costs more, it is still significantly less expensive than filling up a petrol tank. In that sense, the change in energy costs transforms your monthly outlays, converting a big-ticket item into an easily overlooked utility bill. The foreseeable and minimal cost to operate is a defining feature of the EV ownership experience.Along with the instant savings, Mercedes-Benz offers the durability of peace of mind with an exceptional battery warranty. The EQS high-voltage battery is covered for 10 years or 155,000 miles, whichever comes first. This is an all-encompassing warranty that alleviates one of the largest potential worries for EV buyers, as it guarantees that the heart of the vehicle is protected for a significant portion of the vehicle’s lifespan. Although the insurance premiums for a high-spec, tech-laden vehicle such as the EQS are likely to be in the higher bands, the financial advice-friendly combination of tax breaks, virtually no ‘fuel’ costs, and a solid warranty makes this a compelling and reassuring ownership proposition. It allows the EQS to transcend being merely a luxury purchase and instead be viewed as an intelligent, long-term investment.

• Zero VED and Congestion Charge Exemption: Enjoy significant annual savings with no road tax to pay and free travel within major city clean air zones.
• Low Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) Tax: Company car drivers benefit from substantially lower tax bills compared to equivalent petrol or diesel models.
• Reduced “Fuel” Costs: Drastically cut your monthly transportation expenses by charging at home on affordable off-peak electricity tariffs.
• 10-Year Battery Warranty: Drive with confidence knowing the vehicle’s most crucial component is covered for up to 155,000 miles.

Why the Mercedes-Benz EQS Should Be on Your Radar

Having spent a fair bit of time with each version of the Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan, one thing is clear: this is not simply another premium electric vehicle. It is a redefinition of what the luxury-car experience can and should be. The Model S is a smartly designed showcase of next-generation technology, extreme comfort, and practical everyday usability, and it does all of that without using a drop of gasoline. It’s more than just an electric version of the S-Class: It’s a forward-looking flagship, breaking new ground for refinement and technology in the EV space.The EQS’s strength is that it can cater comfortably to different driving needs and styles, all the while remaining rooted in the essence of unparalleled comfort and sophistication. What is clear from this, however, is that your choice is entirely a matter of priorities. The EQS 450+ is the right choice if you care about range above all else and want a relaxed, peaceful recreational driving experience. It is an absolute master at long-distance running, making it perfect for silent mileage on motorways and with you having peace of mind at your destination. For those who want more power and the peace of mind of all-weather traction, the EQS 580 4MATIC is an all-around great offering, combining effortless performance with sure-footed confidence, making it an excellent daily driver that can take you wherever you want to go. Then there is the AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+. This car is for the get-your-hands-dirty driver who still clings to the hope that driving electric means losing nothing of the excitement. It is a quietly explosive machine that provides breathtaking acceleration and engaging dynamics, demonstrating that the future of high performance can not only be silent but also exhilarating. No matter which model you go for, you’re buying a car that feels genuinely futuristic yet is comfortably intuitive. In my opinion, the EQS Sedan strikes a better balance between cutting-edge technology, sumptuous luxury, and real-world usability than any other electric vehicle I have driven to date, which makes it a compelling option for anyone who is ready to drive into the future of motoring.

• EQS 450+: Choose this model for the ultimate in driving range, serene comfort, and a truly relaxing experience on long journeys.
• EQS 580 4MATIC: This is the ideal all-rounder, offering increased power and the security of all-wheel drive for confident performance in any condition.
• AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+: For the driving enthusiast, this variant delivers explosive, sports-car-level acceleration and a truly engaging, high-performance feel.

Curious which EQS suits your life? Book a test drive, or explore the full line-up at The.Car.
That’s exactly what I’d do if I were making the decision all over again.