2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV X296 arrives with 410-mile range

Mercedes-Benz has unwrapped its EQS SUV. The flagship model is a high-riding model to sit alongside the EQS saloon, and an all-electric rival to luxury SUVs such as the Range Rover and Porsche Cayenne. It’s due to arrive later in the year, with prices expected to start from around £110,000.

Based on the Electric Vehicle Architecture (EVA) platform, all launch models will arrive with a 107.8kWh battery. This gives the entry-level 450+ version a maximum range of 410 miles, thanks to its single electric motor with 355bhp. A four-wheel drive 4Matic version is also available, with two motors giving the same total power output, but the range drops slightly to 380 miles. A more powerful EQS 580+ 4Matic flagship is offered alongside, with 536bhp and 633lb ft of pulling power.

All versions are capable of 200kW rapid charging, so despite the size of the battery, it can be topped up from 10 to 80% in 31 minutes. Where three-phase 11kW charging is available, the onboard charger will be able to make use of it as standard.

The chassis gets rear-wheel steering (up to 4.5 degrees), giving the big SUV improved agility in the city and better stability at higher speeds. It’s possible to optionally increase this to 10 degrees using an over-the-air update, presumably for an extra cost. The same is true of features including trailer assist and augmented-reality navigation. It also features air suspension with an adjustable ride height that can increase by up to 25mm at the touch of a button.

With a 200mm taller roofline and extended rear compartment, the EQS gains an optional third row of seats, serving as a Tesla Model X rival. Its interior is fitted with a 12.3-inch instrument panel and 12.8-inch portrait touchscreen as standard, but the Mercedes-Benz Hyperscreen layout is optional, transforming almost the entire dashboard into a touchscreen display.

The SUV’s design sticks close to the themes of the EQS saloon, with a black panel replacing a traditional grille, smooth surfaces with flush door handles and a full-width rear light bar. There’s no ‘frunk’ front storage compartment, with the bonnet only designed to open during routine servicing.

“ALL VERSIONS ARE CAPABLE OF 200KW RAPIDCHARGING, SO DESPITE THE SIZE OF THE BATTERY, IT CAN BE TOPPED UP FROM 10-80% IN 31 MINUTES.”