It’s set to arrive to dealers in late 2022.
Mercedes-Benz’s first all-electric, U.S.-bound SUV, the 2023 EQS SUV, was revealed in a press release Tuesday. Hot on the heels of the EQS sedan, the SUV gets the same egg-like styling as the electric S-Class, along with a similar 107.8 kWh battery setup and dual-motor drivetrain. Opt for the most expensive EQS 580 4Matic, and you’re looking at 536 hp and 633 lb-ft of torque going to all four wheels.
Mercedes calls this design scheme its “one-bow” design that goes in line with its “Progressive Luxury” design philosophy. The EQS SUV shares much of its fascial features with the EQS and its smaller overseas sibling, the EQC. Big headlights are joined to an all-black grille, with openings at either lower corner of the valence and a big tri-tipped star in the middle. Like with all other EQ models, the rear taillights are connected by a central strip that runs the length of the trunk piece. It’s a subdued look that doesn’t stand out as much as a Tesla Model X or a BMW iX—ideal for people who aren’t obsessed with letting the world know they’ve gone electric.
Mercedes will sell two different EQS SUV trims: the EQS 450+ and the EQS 580 4Matic. Both get the same 107.8-kWh battery in the floor, but the 450+ gets a single motor for the rear wheels, while the 580 gets two motors; one at the front and one at the back. So if you want all-wheel drive, you’ll need to step up to the 580. The rear-drive trim is rated at 355 hp and 419 lb-ft of torque, while the 580 gets 536 hp and 633 lb-ft. The company has yet to release 0-60 estimates, but because this SUV is all-electric, we can assume numbers in the low four-second range or quicker. And because rear axle steering up to 10 degrees is standard, expect some proper agility from the all-electric Benz.
The EQS SUV shares much of its interior layout with its sedan counterpart. The 450+ gets a 12.8-inch portrait touchscreen in the center console and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as standard. Upgrade to the 580 4Matic, and you get Mercedes’ Hyperscreen, a singular 56-inch piece of glass that stretches from A-pillar to A-pillar, containing a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 17.7-inch central infotainment screen, and a 12.3-inch passenger screen. There’s also a host of driving assistance features onboard, including adaptive cruise control, stop-and-go assist, active steering assist, and lane-keeping assist.
Range figures have yet to be revealed for the U.S. market, but Mercedes says the EQS SUV will be able to travel more than 373 miles on a charge according to Europe’s WLTP cycle. WLTP numbers are often higher than EPA-estimated numbers, so we’re guessing a realistic range of around 300 miles for the EQS SUV is more likely.
The EQS SUV will be built at Mercedes’s Tuscaloosa, Alabama factory thanks to a new battery systems plant in nearby Bibb County. Deliveries are set to begin in late 2022, though the company has yet to release pricing. Considering this is essentially a direct competitor to the Model X and the iX, expect a starting price in the low $100,000 range.
Keyword: The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Gets Familiar Looks and 536 HP