2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

As part of Mercedes-Benz's "EQ all the things" philosophy when it comes to electrification, a new luxury electric SUV has emerged as a halo model for the EQ range. The 2023 Mercedes EQS SUV is the flagship of the new Mercedes-EQ sub-brand, sharing a Modular Electric Architecture platform with the EQS Sedan and smaller EQE. Unlike those, the EQS SUV can be had in either five- or seven-seat configurations. While at present it has no direct rivals, a forthcoming BMW iX7 electric SUV and Lucid Gravity SUV will be the primary competition for the EQS SUV, while comparisons will naturally be drawn to the Tesla Model X.

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Revealed in April 2022, the Mercedes EQS SUV's release date in the USA has not officially been confirmed. However, we expect a roll-out in the final quarter of 2022 as a 2023 model.

While the price of the 2023 Mercedes EQS SUV has not yet been finalized, it's fair to say that it'll carry a heavier MSRP than its sedan counterpart which ranges from $102,310 to $119,110. Expect the cost to increase to be around $15-20k from the sedan to the SUV, meaning a base price of around $120,000.

It's no mistake the exterior of the Mercedes EQS SUV looks familiar. It inherits the EQ styling seen on its sedan counterpart, tweaked for a slightly more rugged aesthetic. It retains the LED Digital Light headlamps on either side of the 'Black Panel' faux grille, and the side profile is organic in nature. The standard trim lacks definition, but the AMG Line styling package equips a handful of details that give it more definition like aggressive black air strakes on the front bumper. Around back, a characteristic full-width lightbar and black roof-mounted spoiler are clean and classy. Within the wheel arches, now with black cladding, 20- or 21-inch wheels can be chosen with strong aerodynamic properties.

The color palette for the EQS SUV hasn't been divulged yet, but the press images show off white and grey as primary colors. Expect most of the choices to remain stark and demure, with a few dark black, blue, and red options thrown in as well, and possibly a matte finish or two.

Befitting a three-row luxury EV, the dimensions of the Mercedes EQS SUV are larger than any other EQ model. Sharing the same 126.4-inch wheelbase with the EQS Sedan, the bodywork has been stretched and is 7.8 inches longer at a total of 201.8 inches. It measures 77.1 inches in width and 67.6 inches in height. While the curb weight hasn't been confirmed, expect it to be several hundred pounds heavier than the equivalent EQS Sedan, which starts at 5,597 lbs in EQS 450+ guise.

The new Mercedes EQS SUV has no engine, relying on batteries and electric motors to provide urge. Available in two powertrain options, the EQS 450+ is rear-wheel-drive only with specs of 355 horsepower and 419 lb-ft of torque. The range-topping EQS 580 4Matic - at least until an AMG model comes along - is all-wheel-drive only with a twin-motor setup providing 536 hp and 633 lb-ft. Performance figures haven't been published, but in base 450+ form, a circa-six-second 0-60 mph sprint is in the cards, while the EQS 580 should manage the same feat in around 4.5 seconds.

The chassis features air suspension, adaptive dampers, and a new Off-Road mode. Rear-axle steering is inherited from the EQS Sedan, capable of up to 10 degrees of lock.

Regardless of the powertrain, the EQS SUV has a battery capacity of 107.8 kWh. Mercedes claims a range of 373 miles in EQS 450+ guise, but that's on the WLTP cycle. Expect EPA figures to be closer to 320 miles while the EQS 580 will likely be a little less than 300 miles. A standard onboard charger (9.6kW) takes 11 hours and 15 minutes to fully charge the car, but DC fast-charging at up to 200kW will recharge from 10-80% in 31 mins.

While it may share a platform with the EQS Sedan, the Mercedes EQS SUV seats up to seven across three rows, although a five-seat option is standard. The interior is dominated by the 56-inch MBUX Hyperscreen found standard on the 580 but only optional on the 450+. Supplementing this is a choice of two head-up displays, including a 77-inch diagonal projection area with augmented reality that can project three-dimensional images appearing approximately 33 feet ahead of the driver. Typical amenities inside like seat heating (even in the third row), ventilation, multi-zone climate control, and LED ambient lighting are present, along with various soundscapes, massage seats, and various semi-autonomous systems. Fragranced climate control adds an extra air of sophistication, with a new scent called No.6 Mood Mimosa added for the EQS SUV.

Regarding the Mercedes EQS SUV's interior dimensions, the headroom for the first two rows is 40.7 inches, while the third row has 35.4 inches. The second-row seats can slide back and forth by up to five inches, and the backrests can recline 14 degrees forward and 4 degrees rearwards.

Cargo space in the Mercedes EQS SUV starts at a minimum of 6.8 cubic feet behind the third row, up to 28.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 71.3 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The five-seater EQS SUV has more space, with up to 31 cubes behind the second row and 74.2 cubes behind the first.