The EQS SUV is said to the EQS hatchback that arrived late final yr, and whereas it’s constructed on a model of the identical EVA2 skateboard structure as that flagship electrical automobile, in lots of respects it’s a very totally different car—and extra of a trendsetter within the U.S. car market. 

That’s in fact as a result of its format is a well-liked one. It’s additionally the mannequin on this EV lineup that Mercedes-Benz has determined to make within the U.S.—in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with cells from battery provider Envision AESC and its personal native facility. 

Not like its fellow Greatest Automobile To Purchase finalist, the Cadillac Lyriq, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV has the chops—and the modes—for path driving if not hardcore off-roading. And it’s one of many few new electrical SUVs to supply a 3rd row of seating, for a complete seating capability of as much as seven. With a spread topping 300 miles in some variations, it offers much more households a purpose to commerce of their gasoline SUV for electrical.

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

What does the EQS SUV value? Properly above the Audi Q8 E-Tron, BMW iX, and Rivian R1S, however lower than a Tesla Mannequin X. Within the U.S. it begins at $105,550, for the single-motor, rear-wheel-drive EQS 450+, which makes 355 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque. Stepping as much as the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive EQS 450 4Matic prices simply $3,000 extra, whereas the EQS 580 4Matic ups the value to $127,100 and pushes energy to 536 hp and 633 lb-ft. A top-of-the-line Pinnacle mannequin prices $133,350.

Driving vary is spectacular for such a big, heavy car—beginning at round 6,000 kilos. The bottom EQS 450+ goes 305 miles on a cost, in line with the EPA, whereas the opposite variants go 285 miles. 

All variations within the lineup include the identical 108.4-kwh battery pack, and the EQS SUV can fast-charge at as much as 200 kw, in line with Mercedes-Benz. On a 150-kw CCS connector, in a session throughout Greatest Automobile To Purchase testing, we noticed a gentle price far beneath that however shut sufficient to not query Mercedes’ claimed peak time of simply 31 minutes from 10% to 80%. 

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

We like quite a bit about how the EQS SUV drives. Its acceleration is exact and linear, and the mix of journey high quality and fairly nimble dealing with afforded by its air suspension and adaptive damping is rivaled by few. With out there rear-wheel steering, the EQS SUV handles like a a lot smaller car. And in its Offroad mode, that suspension permits 9.0 inches of floor clearance, in a car that you simply wouldn’t suspect as so trail-ready given particulars like its operating boards, aero bodywork, and flush door handles. 

We do have two fairly important bones to select with the EQS SUV—one in every of which you’ll be able to work round. Considered one of them is the 56.0-inch wall-of-glass Hyperscreen interface, which is susceptible to reflection and just too busy and cluttered, or migraine-inducing, for lots of tastes.

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

Fortunately, until you’re going for the 580 model you possibly can go for a simplified format. The opposite off-putting component that may’t be modified is the EQS SUV’s brake pedal really feel, which we’d rank as among the many worst amongst any model, luxurious or not. In sluggish, creeping gridlock circumstances, the brakes would unexpectedly grip sooner than supposed, bringing an imprecise really feel, and in tougher stops it feels as in the event you’re urgent towards a foam board that modifications place a bit every time. 

Verify again Jan. 4 for our announcement on which mannequin makes the ultimate minimize and is known as our Greatest Automobile To Purchase 2023.