Mercedes-Benz’s flagship EQS SUV will launch this year alongside its smaller EQE SUV sibling.
The electric SUVs will join their passenger car EQE and EQS counterparts in local showrooms in the third quarter of 2023.
All four vehicles use the brand’s dedicated Electric Vehicle Architecture (EVA), with the SUVs coming out of Mercedes-Benz’s Alabama factory.
Before then, Mercedes-Benz model launches include the new GLC and refreshed A-Class (both in June), and new SL (July), while other third-quarter launches for the brand comprise the facelifted CLA, GLA and GLE.
The brand will round out the year with fourth-quarter launches for the refreshed GLB and GLS, plus the new GLC Coupe.
The new-generation E-Class won’t arrive until 2024.
In addition to these new and updated model ranges, new variants are coming like the AMG C63 S E Performance (third quarter) and EQS 450 (July).
The EQS SUV measures 5125mm long, 1959mm wide, and 1718mm tall, which makes it 91mm shorter than an EQS liftback but 33mm wider.
For context, a GLE measures 4924mm long and a GLS measures 5207mm long.
Unlike the EQE SUV, the EQS SUV offers an available third row of seating.
Local pricing and specifications have yet to be announced for the EQS SUV, which will be built in three variants: EQS 450+, EQS 450 4Matic and EQS 580 4Matic.
Like the EQS liftback, the entire EQS SUV range feature a 107.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack and can be charged at up to 200kW on DC power.
An 11kW onboard AC charger is standard across the range, and a 22kW unit is optional.
Although the SUV range has the same size battery as the EQS liftback, the claimed range for the EQS SUV is lower across the board with a maximum of 660km range on the tougher WLTP test cycle, instead of up to 784km.
The EQS SUV range kicks off with the rear-wheel drive EQS 450+, powered by a single electric motor producing 265kW of power and 568Nm of torque.
The mid-range EQS 450 4Matic has a dual-motor all-wheel drive set-up with a total system output of 265kW and 800Nm.
The range-topping EQS 580 4Matic also has a dual-motor all-wheel drive set-up, albeit with total system outputs of 400kW and 858Nm.
All EQS SUV models feature both rear-axle steering and Airmatic air suspension with adaptive dampers, with a four-link axle at the front and independent multi-link suspension at the rear.
In standard five-seat guise with all of the seats up, the EQS SUV has a boot capacity of 645L, which expands to 2100L with the second row of seats down. With the optional third row of seating upright, boot space is reduced to 195L.
Like the other EVA-based EQ models, the EQS SUV can be optioned with the MBUX Hyperscreen curved dash that spans the width of the dashboard.
Measuring in at 141cm wide, it features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 17.7-inch central touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch passenger touchscreen.
Regular models without the MBUX Hyperscreen have a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen.
Other interior options include dual 11.6-inch displays on the backrests of the front seats, as well as an electrically adjustable second row of seating with a folding second-row centre armrest containing an MBUX rear tablet and a wireless phone charger.
Two different head-up displays, including an augmented reality variant, are optionally available too.
A Mercedes-Maybach version has also been revealed, called the EQS 680 SUV. It’s due here in mid-2024.
