Test Mercedes EQS SUV 580 4MATIC, the electric brother of the GLS

Mercedes-Benz seems to suffer from a deep obsession with expanding more and more its product offering. We just got off a new model from the Bavarian brand. It is electric, has a 108,4 kWh battery and is 5,12 meters long. Is called Mercedes EQS SUV and its starting price is almost 145.000 euros.

It must also be taken into account that it is positioned as the SUV brother of the EQS saloon or the electric brother of UPS. Also can have 7 seats, which we will discover later if they are practical or not. This EQS SUV is a gigantic electric SUV that has taken the platform of the EQS saloon. Therefore, it inherits the batteries and the entire powertrain.

The EQS saloon has been "suverized"

Aesthetically it is clearly recognizable as a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, maintaining the design line of the latest electric models. On the front we can highlight the black Panamericana style grill, although it is not an air intake since it is always closed. It comes with LED headlights and can optionally be the always effective Digital Light.

An important aspect is that all EQS SUVs in Spain come with the AMG Line package.

The standard wheels are 21" and optionally we can go to 22", with designs that always favor aerodynamics. Other details also contribute to this, such as the flush door handles, the low fairings or the smooth shapes of the entire bodywork despite its SUV status.

In the zone back we find ourselves with the well-known style of pilots seen in the SKIP o EQC among others, communicating the lighting from end to end through a central band. There is no lack of inscription of the mechanical version in the gate area.

We previously said that the Mercedes EQS SUV is a very big car, but how big? To clarify, this model measures 5,12 meters long, 1,96 wide (not counting the mirrors) and 1,72 high. The wheelbase is also huge, with no less than 3,21 meters.

The interior convinces you with its technology

Also in the passenger compartment we see that it inherits many aspects of its sedan brother. Without a doubt, what will attract the most attention in him is the MBUX Hyperscreen display system. It is optional (for almost 9.000 euros) in the 450 4Matic version and standard in the 580 4Matic. The main addition to the standard one is a third screen that can only be used by the co-pilot. It is curious, because we can manage the audio, the browser and see multiple travel information or the car itself. But sincerely, does not provide great functionality.

The HyperScreen system consists of three screens: One for the dashboard, another central for the multimedia system and another so that the passenger can be entertained while we travel. Thus, we have a glass panel 1,41 meters wide.

I do not want to dwell excessively on this aspect, because we have already talked enough about these screens in the EQE test a few months ago (here is the proof on video). It is also identical to that model in the layout of controls, air vents or center console. So, we move on to other details.

For example, the feeling of quality. Lately every time I test a Mercedes the same thing happens to me. Visually they are overwhelming cars, which capture a lot of attention, but leave the quality of settings in the background.. Mind you, it's not that they're bad, they're pretty good, although considering the price of the car I think they're not as polished as they should be. As I say, the Mercedes inside are more convincing for aesthetics than for anything else.

Habitability, up to 7 seats

If we talk about habitability, it is a very spacious car. In the front seats there will not be the slightest problem of space whatever your size. In addition, we have multiple electric seat and steering wheel adjustments, which can include heating, ventilation and a massage function. There are also generous holes to leave a multitude of objects, both in the doors and in the central area.

We go to the second row and we find ourselves again with some very profitable places. The side seats are also heated and have electrical settings to move the seat forward or backward, as well as to tilt the backrest more or less. In fact, we can move the bench by 13 centimeters, something that will come in handy to improve cargo space or to give more legroom to the occupants of the third row.

As mentioned at the beginning, the Mercedes EQS SUV it can be 7 seats, costing 2.890 euros for this rear row of seats. The unit that we have tested did have this option. We have a button that electrically slides the second row and the respective front seat, facilitating access. Logically, going to this third row is not so comfortable, but once inside, Legroom and headroom are on point considering it's an SUV and not a large MPV.

We can "customize" the trunk

For his part, and as regards trunk is concerned, the 5-seater versions offer a capacity of 645 liters with the second row in its rearmost position, although it can be extended moving these seats forward. Meanwhile, units with 7 seats lose 80 liters compared to those of 5. With the 7 seats placed for use, the cargo space stands at 195 liters, which is a correct volume taking into account the conditions.

The gate, which has automatic opening and closing, is huge and leaves a large loading mouth, with a flat and usable surface. We don't have a second trunk in the front of the car. In fact, the front hood is only opened in the workshop for maintenance operations, having the windshield washer fluid filler on the left front wing.

Mechanical versions available

Before moving on to driving, let's do a quick review of the mechanical options of this car. The Mercedes EQS SUV always uses a 108,4 kWh battery, which is huge. Of course, the battery is located on the floor of the vehicle, reducing the center of gravity of the vehicle.

As standard it comes with a charger of 22 kW in alternating current and 200 kW in direct current. In a 7,4 kW Wallbox we would need 15 hours to fully charge it. If we opt for a fast charge (400 V / 500 A Continuous Current) we can go from 10 to 80% of the charge in 31 minutes.

In Spain there are only two engines available, called the 450 4Matic and 580 4Matic. Yes, only all-wheel drive versions with an electric motor on each axis arrive here, although in other markets there is a rear-wheel drive variant (it's called 450+).

El Mercedes EQS SUV 450 4Matic certifies a range of up to 604 kilometers in the WLTP combined cycle. Its power is 265 kW (360 CV) and the torque amounts to 800 Nm. This allows you to cover 0 to 100 in 6 seconds and reach a top speed of 210 km/h.

For its part, the variant EQS SUV 580 4Matic It has a combined range of 600 kilometers. It develops a joint power of 400 kW (544 CV) and a maximum torque of 858 Nm, doing 0 to 100 in 4,6 seconds and also reaching a top speed of 210 km/h.

We remember that the approved autonomy data must always be "taken with tweezers", because in real use they are usually lower.

Behind the wheel of the Mercedes EQS SUV 580 4Matic

In our case, we got on the Mercedes EQS SUV 580 4Matic, the most powerful and performance version. As with everything electric, the instant power delivery gives us great confidence and a sense of drive. Even more so in a car like this, which weighs about 2.800 kilos and it has huge external measurements.

But despite that, It is not a car that invites us to drive fast. Rather the complete opposite. The EQS SUV is best enjoyed at a normal pace, leaving that power reserve for overtaking or specific circumstances. In any case, there is various driving modes that change the behavior of the car.

In addition, standard air suspension It absorbs bumps well and transmits a high level of comfort. Also the silence of rolling, because the little noise that reaches the interior is that of the tires. By the way, since I mentioned the air suspension, vary the height of the car depending on the selected driving mode and the traffic circumstances.

Another system that improves comfort and especially urban driving is the steered rear axle. Standard on access mechanics, rear wheels swivel up to 4,5 degrees in the opposite direction to the front ones, although it can be extended to 10 degrees through an OTA update. This 10 degree option comes standard on the 580 4Matic.

Without a doubt, for a car that is 5,12 meters long and has a wheelbase of more than 3,2 meters, It is a system that greatly improves maneuverability. With 4,5 degrees of the rear axle, the turning radius is reduced to 11,9 meters, while with the top version it drops even more, standing at 11 meters.

It goes without saying that, as in almost all electric vehicles, we have some paddles on the steering wheel to manage battery retention and recovery in decelerations, when we stop accelerating. There are three fixed levels, as well as an automatic function that retains more or less taking into account if we are approaching another vehicle, a roundabout or other traffic circumstances.

Conclusions

If we talk about prices, For Mercedes we have a starting fee of practically 145.000 euros for the 450 4Matic and 172.500 for the 580 4Matic. It was to be expected that it was not going to be a car suitable for all budgets, and be careful, we are talking about starting prices for each mechanical version, without adding a single optional element.

There is no doubt that the Mercedes EQS SUV is a car huge, luxurious, very striking due to the high doses of technology it offers and the practicality of offering up to 7 seats.

However, does it really make sense? Is it a multipurpose car? Well I don't think so, honestly. I think that whoever buys it does it more for appearance than for real functionality. Of course, this is my personal opinion. What do you think?