Luxury has always been a hallmark of the Maybach name, but with the EQS SUV, Mercedes-Maybach is blending their impeccable craftsmanship with electric mobility.

This is a Maybach after all, and its design amplifies that. Every line, curve, and finish has been meticulously crafted. The exterior gleams with Maybach’s signature touches: a bold, upright grille (purely aesthetic here), framed by the exclusive Maybach emblem and sleek LED lights that signal elegance before you even get close.

But while the silhouette remains powerful, it’s softened by subtle cues; a rounded nose, flowing lines, and a streamlined profile that’s modern. And at over five meters long, it has the presence to match its pedigree.

Step into the EQS SUV, and you’re greeted by a cabin that feels more like a personal lounge than an SUV. Mercedes-Maybach has designed this interior as a sanctuary, blending high-end materials to create a space where you can relax, recharge, and stay connected.

The interior is dominated by the MBUX Hyperscreen, a 56-inch expanse of glass that stretches from one side of the dashboard to the other. It’s a seamless interface, with three high-resolution displays integrated under one glass panel, bringing everything literally to your fingertips.

The seats are pure bliss. Leather-wrapped, reclining, heated, and ventilated, with built-in massagers.

Rear passengers are equally pampered, with individual screens, ambient lighting that adjusts to your mood, and an onboard fragrance system that gently infuses the cabin with a scent of your choice.

And for the audiophiles, there’s the Burmester 4D sound system, a setup that turns the EQS SUV into a rolling concert hall, complete with speakers in the seats.

No two Maybachs are the same, and the EQS SUV is no exception. From hand-stitched leather upholstery in a range of bespoke colours to unique trim and custom lighting options, the EQS SUV can be tailored to reflect your personal style.

And if that’s not enough, there’s an array of personalization options available through the Maybach Atelier. After all, why settle for anything less?

The EQS SUV is powered by dual electric motors, producing a total of 649hp and 950Nm of torque. Yes, it’s an electric powerhouse, but it’s about delivering a ride so smooth you barely feel a ripple beneath you. With Mercedes’ AIRMATIC air suspension and continuously adjustable damping, the EQS SUV glides over the road.

And with a range of up to 600km on a single charge, you’re not constantly searching for a charging station. But when you do need to recharge, the EQS SUV supports ultra-fast DC charging, reaching 80% in around 30 minutes. The SUV also comes equipped with an advanced energy recuperation system that adjusts depending on the driving mode.

Mercedes-Maybach hasn’t held back on tech features in the EQS SUV. The car’s AI-driven MBUX system learns your preferences, anticipating everything from your favourite seating position to preferred ambient lighting. Then there’s the Maybach-exclusive “chauffeur mode,” which allows rear-seat passengers to control media and climate settings independently.

Equipped with Mercedes-Benz’s latest driver-assistance suite, the EQS SUV features active lane-keeping, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera system. The Night View Assist function enhances visibility in low-light conditions, highlighting pedestrians and animals.

Plus, you’ve got the “Mercedes me” app, which syncs seamlessly with your EQS, allowing you to control everything from charging schedules to climate settings from your smartphone.

If you happen to be one of the few who can open your wallet for the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV, you won’t be disappointed.

And if you’re wondering about the price, you’re probably not one of those folks.

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In the realm of Mercedes-Benz’s automotive opulence, where the EQS corresponds to the antiquated S-Class and the EQE to the E-Class, we now have a new member in the circle – the EQS SUV.

It’s a formidable ‘off-roader’ in Mercedes speak, and the first using the German marque’s electric ‘EVA2’ architecture. Its supposed predecessor, the GLS, has fairly often slipped through the cracks of the luxury car domain, unfairly overshadowed.

The GLS was a colossal beast, and the EQS SUV mirrors this magnitude. A symphony of luxury intertwined with a plethora of standout features. Yet, the question remains: how does it measure up in the fiercely competitive luxury EV arena?

Sculpted elegance

Confronting the challenge of packaging a third row of seats is no mean feat (just take a look at the overhang of the Land Rover Defender 130). The EQS SUV, however, navigates this challenge with aplomb.

Its exterior exudes strength, boasting an overall form marked by seamless contours and minimized shutlines and joints. Furthermore, its aerodynamic prowess is pretty impressive for something with an SUV stature, with a mere 0.26 drag coefficient in its cleanest configuration.

Similar to the EQ lineage, the car has the same defining fixed clamshell bonnet, albeit shaped a little more aggressively. The EQ black panel grille integrates with a 3D hexagon light and daytime running light, crafting a unique light signature that greets you each time you start it up. Mercedes’ designers, with a nod to practicality, refrained from a seamless transition into the windscreen, embracing a clever A-pillar design that enhances aerodynamics and acoustics.

The roof, donned in black, diminishes the perceived height, and unlike the frameless glass of the EQS/E, the EQS features framed glass instead. Flush door handles and optional running boards, akin to a ladder for the vertically challenged, contribute to the overall sleekness.

Opting for anything less than 22-inch wheels would be an oversight, risking their disappearance in the vehicle’s vast wheel arches.

It is big, and it certainly is bold. Although, I still find myself leaning towards the smaller EQE SUV in terms of proportions.

State of the art

The first thing that immediately catches your eye upon entry is the vast Hyperscreen. Yes, it’s a pricey option, but it sure is a statement piece. A colossal, three-dimensionally curved screen made of scratch-resistant aluminium silicate, boasting 8 CPU cores, 24-gigabyte of RAM, and a RAM memory speed of 46.4 GB per second.

That sounds like something you usually get in a computer hardware store, let alone a car.

There’s a screen for everyone in the car. One for the driver, a massive central display, and a third for the passenger, enabling them to control items without bothering the poor sod behind the wheel.

Mercedes dubs it the ‘zero layer’ philosophy, where the system learns your routines over time and proactively displays functions just when you need them. The driver gets a 12.3-inch instrument display with 3D functionality, while the central display might require a PhD to decode fully.

No rotary controller or touchpad? Just swipe across main modes, and you’ll feel a gentle haptic buzz on the crystal-clear 17.7-inch OLED screen. Climate control is relatively straightforward, and the car even has a fancy HEPA air filter to ward off those diseases.

Once you get everything set up nicely, you’ll be blown away by the mind-blowing Burmester audio system enveloping you in a 360° surround sound cocoon. It’s phenomenal.

Oh, did I mention it ionises the air and projects a starry sky on the screen too? There’s even a signature fragrance, No.6 Mood, tucked away in the glove box. Call it either wonderful or absurd overkill – I’m leaning towards the former.

Like a technicolour dream, you can bathe the EQS in whatever ambient light combination you fancy. Front seats? Sensational, with or without the added massage function. The rear is a tad firm, but you get tons of leg and headroom.

Roomy? You betcha. Versatile? Absolutely. Second-row seats with electric adjustments, fore and aft, a capacious 565-litre cargo bay for larger objects (expandable up to 2020 litres), and even heated third-row seats. This SUV isn’t just a car; it’s a luxury cocoon on wheels.

Don’t judge a car by its shape

This sizeable goliath not only packs a punch but flaunts handling smarts that dance in tandem with its impressive speed. I’m serious, I was impressed by how spirited the car feels despite its sheer heft.

Gun the throttle, and the 800Nm of torque can whisk you to 100km/h in just 6 seconds. Keep your foot down, and you’ll eventually reach 210km/h, or the police station. Whichever comes first.

But let’s be real, tearing down the road at full tilt? Heroically daft. Maybe give it a burst or two just to confirm its prowess or unleash the power for a spirited overtake, then tone it back to refinement and mindfulness. That’s where the car shines.

In the realm of hushed rides, the EQS SUV is a standout, rivalling the tranquillity of cars like the BMW i7. High-end electric cars often battle tyre and wind noise, but this Merc handles it rather well. Acoustic foam in strategic body cavities, trick seals, specially encased motors, and double-insulated drive units make sure of that.

It’s so good that it almost disconnects you from the act of driving, leaving you somewhat… anaesthetised.

The soft suspension amplifies this as well – a four-link setup at the front, multi-link at the rear, AirMatic air springs, and variable damping control as standard. Adjustable ride height, no less. 

It’s a smooth operator, but the absolute lack of noise can make things feel a tad floaty and numb – a sensation you’ve got to experience to understand.

The 4Matic setup offers continuously variable torque distribution, and can even shut off the front motor in pursuit of efficiency. Get the car on loose surfaces and the torque juggles between all four wheels for maximum traction. 

Obviously, don’t mistake the EQS SUV for a mud-plugger, but it can surprisingly handle more terrain than you’d think. Plus, that optional 10° rear steering angle is a godsend when navigating multi-storey car parks and tight spots with finesse.

As with other EQ models, you get a comprehensive suite of safety systems, plus an array of cameras that make parking a breeze. And you’ll need these cameras more often than you think, as the car spans almost 2 metres in width.

The biggest gripe I have about the EQS SUV is its brakes. Brake feel is a tad inconsistent, and despite the three levels of energy recuperation (which work great), the transition between regen and actual braking is awkward.

Should you get used to the braking sensation, the EQS SUV does have pretty good efficiency for a car this size. Mercedes-Benz claims it can do up to 610km from the colossal 107.8kWh battery pack, and I managed to clock in 380km with about 40% of charge remaining, equating to 23.3kWh/100km.

With a dash of more sensible driving, that number can easily drop further, and I’m confident you can go a week without needing a charge.

The S stands for Superbly Posh

The EQS SUV presents itself as a holistic package, a marriage of opulence with innovation. The Hyperscreen, adaptive AI, and spacious interior render it a compelling choice in the luxury electric SUV market.

The car really does it all, but I do get the feeling that it slightly lacks the defining character and supreme authority that made its predecessors such lodestars.

The EQS SUV caters to a specific audience, one valuing cutting-edge tech and refined luxury over traditional characteristics defining the “soul” of a car. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with that or the car in particular; this is more of an individual preference.

Its polished, almost clinical demeanour might leave enthusiasts yearning for more, but for those seeking the ultimate in luxury and comfort, you should definitely keep the EQS SUV in your shortlist.

Technical Specifications

Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 450 4MATIC AMG Line

Engine: Two Permanently Magnet Synchronous Motors, All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Power: 265kw (355bhp)
Torque: 800Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 6 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 210km/h
Battery Capacity: 107.8 kWh
Drive Range: 610 km
Energy Consumption: 4.9 km/kWh (claimed)
Price: S$700,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Mercedes-Benz Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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‘Twas at Mercedes-Benz’s pop-up space at #01-01 Raffles City Shopping Centre called Crafted for the Future: The Mercedes-Benz Showcase that the new EQS SUV was launched. This electric vehicle (EV) also sees the convergence of luxury, technology and sustainability. Visitors can experience the EQS SUV and check out the sustainability-focused installations composed of upcycled auto parts and waste materials from 1-3 September 2023.

Two variants will be available initially – EQS 450 4MATIC SUV Electric Art and EQS 450 4MATIC SUV AMG Line – depending on whether one prefers a classic and elegant or sportier look. A claimed WLTP consumption of 20.5kWh/100km and range of up to 610km from its 108.4kW battery pack is helped by its very slippery 0.26Cd drag coefficient.

The battery pack powers two electric motors to put down 360hp and 800Nm of torque to all four wheels, dusting off 0-100km/h in six seconds flat and on to a top speed of 210km/h. All in the lap of luxury.

A DC fast-charging system is fitted on-board, enabling a maximum charge rate of 200kW which allows for 250km of range to be added in just 15 minutes. Based on my own experience with the EQE 350+ AMG Line, I’d guesstimate just over an hour to charge the battery pack to full from around 20% at a 100kW DC charger – perfect for a dinnertime juice-up. On AC, a maximum of 22kW charging is available.

AIRMATIC air suspension with ADS+ continuously adjustable damping is standard fit, and this SUV can be raised by a further 25mm for added ground clearance when soft-roading. Rear-axle steering is standard and turns the rear wheels by up to 4.5 degrees, either in tandem with the front wheels for added high-speed stability or in opposition to reducing the turning circle in tight spaces.

Also standard is the Parking Package with 360° camera which helps with manoeuvring in tight spaces and Active Parking Assist which can smartly park the EQS SUV in carparks, alleviating worries about the size of this vehicle.

Boot space is something that families and golfers alike will appreciate. With the third row of seats up, 195 litres of carrying capacity is available. Knock that third row down and 645 litres of space is freed up. Slide the second row forward and 880 litres means up to four golf bags can be carried. Fold the second row down and 2020-litres of minivan-like capaciousness is liberated.

Luxury doesn’t mean practicality has to be sacrificed.

THERMOTRONIC five-zone climate control is standard fit, and rearmost passengers can set temperature and ventilation intensity independently of the other zones. Passengers in the second row have two zones of climate control, as do the front occupants. Everyone can be nice and cool in the EQS SUV.

MBUX is now in its second generation and features artificial intelligence (AI) to enable the software to learn and adapt to its occupant’s preferences and makes personalised suggestions for numerous infotainment, comfort and vehicle functions.

A new zero-layer design means sub-menus and voice commands are a thing of the past since applications are situationally and contextually offered on the top level in the field of view.

Dolby Atmos takes centre stage (see what I did there ha ha) with the optional Burmester sound system, and in conjunction with Apple Music’s Spatial Audio, takes in-car audio to a whole new level. Revel in your favourite tunes while being enthralled by how music sounds far better than in any concert hall.

More to come when we drive the EQS SUV. Watch this space.

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