The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV costs twice as much as the regular EQS SUV and is the company’s most advanced vehicle built in the U.S.
In July, we got to experience the three-pointed star’s flagship electric SUV in a global-spec version to see if it is worth that substantial premium. Here are our thoughts:
Design
The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV shows off its avant-garde position in the lineup with a number of exclusive styling touches. The faux radiator grille is adorned with pinstripes featuring a chrome finish, and this detailing continues in the functional air intake at the bottom of the front fascia.
The chrome strip above the light band connecting the DRLs carries Maybach branding in the center. The faux side air intakes at the lower corners of the front bumper are decorated with Maybach emblems and chrome surrounds.
Along the sides, the 22-inch seven-hole-design wheels, featuring a two-tone look and high-sheen finish, instantly reveal the Maybach identity. A Maybach emblem on the D-pillar provides another, albeit subtler, visual cue.
It may not immediately come to one’s attention, but the running boards also integrate the Maybach emblem. Chrome-plated B-pillar trim further elevates the Maybach EQS SUV’s opulent look.
At the rear, we noticed that, unlike on the regular EQS SUV, the helix pattern extends from the outer tail-lamp sections into the tailgate-mounted inner sections. Chrome accents on the roof spoiler, below the rear window, and along the lower bumper complete the exclusive appearance.
More than its pinstripes, Maybach emblems, or monoblock-style wheels, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV’s most distinctive feature is its exclusive two-tone paintwork. The Kalahari Gold/Obsidian Black metallic finish on this example is a USD 18,500 option.
Interior
The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV features automatic doors that make entering and exiting more convenient and more theatrical. When opened, they also project the Maybach emblem onto the ground, for a little more drama.
Customers can choose between five- and four-seat versions. This particular example features two individual rear seats divided by a wood-trimmed console that flows from the front console. The center console features Manufaktur black piano lacquer trim with flowing lines in both the front and rear.
The seat covers feature larger diamond quilting than that of the regular EQS SUV. Maybach emblems are seen in several places throughout the cabin, including the stainless steel pedals, the front seat backrests, and the cushions on the headrests.
Experience in the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV
At 5 feet 7 inches tall, I had no trouble getting into or out of the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV. Visibility from the driver’s seat is excellent out the front and sides, but the rearward view is somewhat restricted.
The steeply angled rear glass and a partition behind the rear seats reduce the vertical field of vision through the back window.
The driver’s seat provides excellent back and under-thigh support, thanks in part to its extendable thigh support. There is also plenty of headroom, even with the panoramic glass roof. In my preferred driving position, I had approximately eight to nine inches of space above my head.
The headrest cushions feel exceptionally soft, while the seat also provides good shoulder support, which should make long journeys comfortable.
Material quality throughout the cabin is top-notch. I particularly liked the metallic finishes on the switches, speaker grilles, and air vents. The buttons, vents, and other controls also feel solid and provide satisfying tactile feedback.
Comfort is even more impressive in the rear. The seat provides excellent back and under-thigh support and includes an electrically adjustable fold-out calf rest. It can recline far enough to create a lounge-like seating position and also offers heating and ventilation.
I had well over seven inches of headroom in the rear. These seats can be electrically moved forward and backward, and even their headrests are electrically adjustable. The rear seats offer ventilation, massage, and shoulder heating functions, and their calf rests also come with a massage function.
A chauffeur mode allows the occupant behind the front passenger seat to move the front passenger seat forward, tilt its backrest forward, and fold its headrest forward at the touch of a button.
Other amenities in the rear include heated/cooled cupholders, folding tray tables, a heated armrest, four USB Type-C ports, two HDMI mini ports, 11.6-inch entertainment displays, champagne flute holders, and a 10-liter (2.6-gallon) refrigerator.
Specifications
The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV has a rear-biased twin-motor AWD setup. Packing 649 hp and 700 lb-ft of torque, it accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and achieves an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. It offers a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lb.
A 107.8 kWh (net) battery pack powers the two electric motors and delivers an EPA-estimated range of 300 miles. It supports charging at up to 9.6 kW (AC)/200 kW (DC). Fully charging it via an AC charger takes 14 hours, while a 10-80% DC charging session takes 31 minutes.
Price
The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV costs USD 180,000 (excl. destination and delivery charges) in the U.S.
International Automotive News Editor since 2014, covering global motor shows, industry events, and test-driving various vehicles, with a focus on hybrid and electric cars in recent years.
