Space and Practicality

EV packaging means that the classic ‘skateboard’ layout applies here: Passengers sit on the battery pack, while the wheels are pushed far out, so it delivers lots of legroom and interior space but is a bit short on headroom. 

With 2,912mm between the wheels, the EQS has almost the same wheelbase as the S 450 L while being around 70mm shorter at the same time. That translates into mucho legroom, so you can really kick your feet out and relax on long rides. But the car’s low, slippery aero profile does translate into less headroom than an S-Class, and you need to stoop a little to enter the car. Our test car came with the optional panoramic sunroof, which probably eats into hairspace a little, but if you are above 1.8-metres tall you may brush the headliner. 

The EQS has a hatchback rear door, much like the AMG GT 4-Door, and this makes for a wide, spacious boot that is easy-to-load. There’s additional space below the false floor, and the seats fold down to expand the cargo area from 610-litres to a spacious 1,770-litres. So in practicality terms, the EQS is actually better than a luxury limo with a conventional boot that makes loading bulky items difficult. 

Unlike the S-Class, there is also plenty of stowage space up front too with an armrest compartment, front console compartment, and large shelf underneath that – the upside of not having a gearbox.

Driving Experience

While the EQS looks and feels very futuristic to be in and around, it actually retains, and exceeds, a characteristic of the S-Class : It’s the sort of car that makes miles simply melt away, no matter where they’re covered.

The EQS 450+ is the entry-level EQS model in most countries, and it has a single 333hp electric motor driving the rear wheels. Accordingly, it’s not lightning-quick, but picks up speed rapidly and without drama, even on full-bore acceleration. Mercedes gives you two flavours of electric sound (Silver Wave and Vivid Flux) to match, but it’s all quite understated, and the drivetrain has been very obviously engineered with smoothness in mind.

We know EVs are generally quiet, but the EQS truly reigns when it comes to silence. Road noise is almost non-existent, and because of the aerodynamics, there’s very little wind noise as well. The EQS simply floats along in tranquility, and you’ll hear much more of everyone else’s road noise than your own. It’s so quiet you could record an album in it, and talking without having to raise your voice at all is just another bonus.

To my abused ears at least, it is the quietest road car on the market now, and that includes cars like the Rolls-Royce Phantom in the equation. Of course Rolls-Royce’s own EV, the Spectre, might have something to say about this, but it’s not here yet, and will probably cost four times as much.

The only downside to the EQS’ refinement is that the ride quality isn’t perfectly comfortable – and that’s also because the quietness throws it into contrast. The 21-inch wheels do thump a little over expansion joints, while the car has that typical EV feeling of lurching into depressions. If you set the suspension to Comfort mode it removes the former but accentuates the latter, and vice versa for the Sport setting.

Speaking of sport, as is the Mercedes way, this is a car centered on refinement and comfort. It’ll make short work of twisty roads, and can be driven quickly, but it’s certainly less of a driver’s car than a chauffeur’s one.

Four-wheel steering is standard, so the EQS doesn’t feel heavy at any speed, and is much easier to handle in tight carparks as a result. The excellent 360 degree camera also makes parking this long limo less of a hassle, giving you more time to get rolling in silence.

And roll on it will. Because it’s not particularly heavy, and very aerodynamic, the EQS is impressively efficient, especially for a car of this size. Our 200km with the EQS delivered 18.0kWh/100km. At around 30/70 urban/highway work, with stationary time for video and photo shoots included, it’s an impressive figure and would mean the car can do at least 500km per charge. So no range anxiety matched with tranquil driving. The EQS is a car that’s a joy to return to each time. You can almost feel your heartrate slowing when you close the door and begin rolling along in peace.

Page 4: One reason (or 60,000) why the EQS beats the S-Class

1. Introduction
2. Design and Appearance / Interior and Features
3. Space and Practicality/ Driving Experience
4. Competition and Pricing / Conclusion

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