If the EQS liftback is an electric S-Class counterpart, then think of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV as an electric GLS, complete with an available third row.
It’s the third model built on the dedicated Electric Vehicle Architecture (EVA), following the EQS and the EQE sedan. An EQE SUV will follow.
The EQS SUV has been confirmed for Australia, with the first vehicles expected to arrive in the first half of 2023.
Three EQS SUV models will be offered at launch: the EQS 450+, EQS 450 4Matic, and the EQS 580 4Matic.
It’s unclear which models will be coming Down Under, with pricing and specifications to be announced at a later date.
Like the EQS liftback, the entire EQS SUV range feature a 107.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
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 with total system outputs of 400kW and 858Nm.
All models are capable of accepting up to 200kW of power from an ultra-rapid DC charging station, and the entry-level EQS 450+ is capable of adding 250km of range in 15 minutes.
An 11kW onboard AC charger is standard across the range, and a 22kW unit is optional.
The new EQS SUV shares the same 3210mm wheelbase as the EQS liftback, but is over 20cm taller.
It measures 5125mm long, 1959mm wide, and 1718mm tall, which makes it 91mm shorter than an EQS liftback but 33mm wider.
For context, the Mercedes-Benz GLS measures in at 5207mm long, 2157mm wide and 1838mm tall, with a 3135mm wheelbase.
On the outside, the EQS SUV has a very similar design as the EQS liftback.
Established Mercedes-EQ design cues are all present here: curvaceous styling with nary a straight line in sight; a flush, black-finish area where a grille would usually sit; full-width daytime running lights up front and a full-width light bar at the rear.
LED headlights are standard, with Digital Light adaptive headlights an option.
Inside, the EQS SUV comes standard with five seats, but it can optioned with a third row boasting two additional seats.
In standard five-seat guise with all of the seats up, the EQS 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 EQS liftback, 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 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.
As standard, the EQS SUV has a HEPA filter under the bonnet that purifies air coming into the cabin. An active fragrance system is optional.
All EQS SUV models feature Airmatic air suspension with adaptive dampers, with a four-link axle at the front and independent multi-link suspension at the rear.
Selectable drive modes include Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual, with 4Matic all-wheel drive models gaining an Off-road mode.
Also standard fitment is a rear-axle steering system with a steering angle of up to 4.5 degrees.
A version that allows for a steering angle of 10 degrees can be added either at purchase or later via an over-the-air (OTA) update.
Other features that can added later through OTA updates include a trailer manoeuvre assist, beginner driving mode, parking service mode, a dashcam, AMG Track Pace lap timer, games, light animations, and driving sounds.
Standard safety equipment on the EQS SUV include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, safe exit warning, lane-keep assist, and a reversing camera.
Active steering assist, evasive steering assist, active blind-spot assist, front and rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, and a surround-view camera are optional.
As previously detailed, the EQS SUV and the soon-to-be revealed EQE SUV will be built at Mercedes-Benz’s Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant alongside the GLS and GLE, and will use batteries produced at a “state-of-the-art factory in Bibb County”.
Mercedes-Benz says this North American battery plant will be one of eight worldwide that’ll boost annual battery production capacity to an expected 200 Gigawatt hours by 2030.
This ramp-up of battery production follows Mercedes-Benz’s announcement that it’ll go all-electric by 2030, wherever market conditions allow.
Mercedes-AMG versions of the EQS SUV are likely, with a Mercedes-Maybach version potentially set to wear the EQS 600 SUV nameplate.
Mercedes-Benz already offers three electric SUVS, two of which are currently sold here: the EQA, EQB and EQC, based on the internal combustion-powered GLA, GLB and GLC, respectively.
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