By Sagar Parikh & Shrawan Raja
The reception to the Mercedes EQS SUV hasn’t been all that great, yet the product is generating valuable feedback for the development of the facelift and Mercedes’s next generation of EVs.
Recently, we got the chance to experience the car in a global specification, checking out its features, comfort levels, and other key aspects in detail.
Design
The Mercedes EQS SUV’s smooth, flowing design disguises its sheer size. Measuring 5.1 metres in length and 2.0 metres in width, it is a substantial vehicle and seems like it would be more at home on American interstates than narrow UK streets.
That footprint, however, directly translates into a genuine three-row layout, which we’ve covered in the subsequent section.
The faux radiator grille, the sleek headlamps connected via a light band, and the sloping bonnet give the EQS SUV a softer character than we’d like, especially when seen against the GLS. Some of these elements do come off as a bit too offbeat as well.
Along the sides, the EQS SUV has tight shutlines and a clean execution. The optional running boards are neatly integrated and carry an aerodynamic, elegant design, contributing to the SUV’s low 0.26 Cd drag coefficient.
At the rear, the full-width tail lamps lack visual appeal, but the curved 3D helix detailing within the light units introduces an element of technical interest.
Interior
The streamlined theme carries through to the cabin, where the dashboard flows neatly into the door panels, generating a wraparound feel. The MBUX Hyperscreen appears to float across the vehicle, while the centre console opens up into the dashboard for a cohesive layout.
Turbine-style air vents positioned at the outer edges of the curved Hyperscreen glass introduce a welcome analogue break to the otherwise screen-dominated interior.
Mercedes-Benz offers a heating function in all three rows, a massage function in the first row, and a heated steering wheel as standard. Neck and shoulder heating for the first- and second-row seats, a five-zone automatic climate control system, and more comfort systems are available optionally.
Experience in the Mercedes EQS SUV
Getting into the global-spec Mercedes EQS SUV feels easy because of the higher step-in height. I noticed deployable door handles that extend outward when approaching the vehicle. Once inside, the front seats feel comfortable and supportive, and the headrests on this example have extra cushioning.
The seats offer multiple adjustments. Outward visibility is very good, helped by the larger glass area and taller windows. Even for a six-footer, headroom in the front feels generous, and I had no issues with knee room around the pedal box. I also noticed a chunky steering wheel that feels solid in my hands.
In the second row, the EQS SUV uses a bench seat and the outboard seats are electrically adjustable, with controls placed on the door. Headroom remains generous, legroom feels good, while kneeroom feels only adequate with the front seat set for a six-foot driver, and third-row occupancy.
The fold-down armrest makes the middle position uncomfortable, as it creates a hard surface against the back, so the second row feels better suited to two adults over longer drives.
In the third row, headroom is limited for a six-foot person. Knee room is also tight, and the seating posture forces the knees upward. The third row feels better suited to shorter adults or children. Light levels in the third row also feel lower, which adds to a more enclosed feel.
Specifications
The Mercedes EQS SUV is based on the rear-biased EVA 2 dedicated EV platform and comes with a 118 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that can be charged at up to 22 kW (AC)/200 kW (DC).
For the 2026 model year (July 2026 production), customers get a choice of two dual-motor AWD variants: 450 4MATIC and 580 4MATIC. The former packs 265 kW (360 hp) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque, while the latter produces 400 kW (544 hp) and 858 Nm (633 lb-ft) of torque.
The EQS SUV takes 6.2 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in the 450 4MATIC variant featured in this story and 4.8 seconds in the 580 4MATIC variant. The three-row electric SUV achieves a top speed of 130 mph and delivers a WLTP range of up to 400 miles.
Price
Prices for the Mercedes EQS SUV in the UK range from GBP 129,480 to GBP 153,805.
On the EQS SUV facelift
Mercedes-Benz has introduced a major technology overhaul for the EQS range, and several of these updates are expected to reach the EQS SUV by the end of the year.
The biggest change is a next-generation 800-volt electric architecture, allowing charging speeds of up to 350 kW. Mercedes-Benz says the facelifted EQS saloon can recover up to 320 km of WLTP range in just 10 minutes.
The updated EQS range also introduces newly developed in-house drive units, a two-speed rear transmission, and larger batteries with optimised cell chemistry for a longer range.
Another major addition is the new Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS), which uses AI-based software and cloud connectivity to manage vehicle functions while supporting over-the-air updates.
Also See: Mercedes-AMG EQE feels quick in MANUFAKTUR patagonia red
Next-generation DIGITAL LIGHT headlamps provide a 40 percent larger illumination field while improving energy efficiency by up to 50 percent. The EQS saloon also features intelligent AIRMATIC damper control that uses cloud-based Car-to-X data to prepare for speed bumps. Steer-by-wire technology is another tech which could benefit the EQS SUV facelift.
Since 2014, I’ve worked as an international automotive editor, attending global motor shows, industry events, media drives, and tracking the latest developments across the sector, with a particular focus on electrified vehicles.
