The bar has just been raised for luxury in the electric vehicle market. From its stunning interior to its groundbreaking technology, everything about Mercedes-Benz’s futuristic new sedan screams innovative luxury. Fabulous Arizona was lucky enough to recently test drive this sleek and sumptuous game-changer for a week and after doing so we can proudly report that there is nothing out there like the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS.
The 2022 EQS is an entirely new model and represents a huge leap forward in terms of Mercedes’ efforts in the electric car market. The model is available in three different trim levels and two different powertrains. The model we test drove is the EQS580 Exclusive, which represents the more robust powertrain option, but shockingly (considering its jaw-dropping interior), not the priciest trim option. (That distinction belongs to the slightly more expensive Premium version, which adds heated, ventilated, power-reclining rear seats with luxury headrests.)
Underneath the hood on the EQS580 is a Dual Permanently Excited Synchronous Motor (PSM) that produces 516 horsepower and 631 pound-feet of torque. The car is capable of zero to 60 in around 4.1 seconds and offers plenty of zip to complement its smooth ride. While its speed cannot compete with the absurd power of the industry-leading Tesla Model S, it offers more than enough giddyup for the average driver. The EQS has all the power you could want from a daily driver.
As you can expect from a Mercedes-Benz, the ride is very smooth. The EQS rides on an adaptive air suspension, and we experienced minimal bumps in our time with the vehicle. The car offers four drive modes (Comfort, Eco, Sport and Individual), and we found just the right balance of sportiness and comfort while cruising around the Valley. Driving around the city and on the highway were equally joyful, and the spacious cabin made the time in the vehicle delightful for all passengers.
The EPA estimates that the 2022 EQS580 gets around 340 miles on a single charge. This is right in line with the Tesla and other new peers in the luxury electric segment like the Lucid Air, offering up enough distance to ensure that range anxiety is a thing of the past. We had our EQS for a week of moderate daily driving and never had to plug it in, which was impressive. Owners will want to opt to have the Mercedes-Benz Wallbox Home charging station installed, and public fast-charging stations make road trips a possibility as well.
While unmistakably a Mercedes, with its sloping, oval shape, the EQS certainly looks and feels different from anything else on the road. Multiple people stopped us to ask questions about the vehicle during our test drive, a testament to its distinctive style. The model we test drove came in the Graphite Grey Metallic color, which is one of the most elegant paint choices the brand offers. The trim looks upscale, and there are two very cool lines of LEDs across the top of the front and rear of the car.
But while not everyone loves the look of the EQS, the true star of the show is the vehicle’s sumptuous interior. We are not overselling when we say that this is perhaps the most incredible interior we have experienced, excluding nothing, including Rolls-Royce. We had the Neva Grey/Sable Brown Leather interior with Natural Grain Anthracite Linden Wood trim. Every material looks and feels as luxurious and befitting for a car with a six-figure price tag. In terms of competition, the EQS is light years beyond the rather spartan interior of the similarly-priced Tesla.
The massaging seats are among the most comfortable we have ever sat in, making each trip in the car a true joy. The headrests are little pillows that cradle your head perfectly and every refined touch and piece of buttery leather inside the cabin feels elegant and luxe. The most awe-inspiring features, though, have to be the massive screens and ambient lighting. The first thing you notice when you step inside the cabin is how futuristic and cool everything feels; there is truly nothing like this car on the market.
The EQS offers 64 different colors of ambient lighting with unique and customizable options. There are LEDs everywhere in this car and these lights pulse and radiate while you are driving, giving the unique impression that this car is a living piece of futuristic technology. The onboard infotainment system is intuitive and easy to use, and the MBUX Hyperscreen it is housed in is a work of art composed of three unique displays under a single 56-in. curved glass surface.
With the recent spike in gas prices, there has never been a better time to consider purchasing an electric car. They offer the joy of not having to fill up at the pump and provide incredible savings on energy each year. While it certainly isn’t cheap, if you are in the market for a luxury electric sedan, the 2022 EQS is the most luxurious and comfortable option on the market. Everything about the EQS feels luxurious and new. The bar for EVs has just been raised.
Learn more about the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS at www.mbusa.com or visit an Arizona dealership near you:
Mercedes-Benz of North Scottsdale
18530 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85054
Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale
4725 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Mercedes-Benz of Gilbert
3455 S. Gilbert Rd.
Gilbert, AZ 85297
Mercedes-Benz of Chandler
7450 W. Orchid Ln.
Chandler, AZ 85226
Mercedes-Benz of Arrowhead
9260 W. Bell Rd.
Peoria, AZ 85382
Mercedes-Benz of Flagstaff
5171 Test Dr.
Flagstaff, AZ 86004