2023 Mercedes EQS 450+ EV SUV: A Closer Look

VEHICLE FRONT

The 2023 Mercedes EQS SUV is here, another addition to their electric fleet offerings. We ordered one for a weekly drive. When delivered we noticed two Mercedes emblems on the front, one on the hood and one on the grille, so everyone will be sure to see what brand you are driving.

Photos by Chad Haire

EMBLEM

Another Mercedes emblem is found on the rocker panels and lights up in the dark.

VEHICLE SIDE

Most electric vehicles don't come with a spare tire. Since this is marketed as an SUV, which in theory should be able to be taken off the pavement, we expected a spare, but not to be. This is a street machine.

DOOR

Door handles that extend when unlocked seem to be a trend on electric vehicles today. Makes us wonder if they can freeze shut in sub-zero temperatures, but no complaints have been noted yet.

SECURITY

. The 450+ can be programmed to be started with a finger print presentation. We preferred the key fob.

CONTROLS

To start the vehicle normally, the key fob is in the cabin, and this center button is pressed. On the left is the "DYNAMIC" control. It offers SPORT, ECO, COMFORT, or INDIVIDUAL modes of operation.

DASH

The dash is several feet wide and certainly gets your attention. The numerous controls look complicated but are actually very easy to operate.

TIRES/WHEELS

In spite of these huge 21-inch tires and wheels, the ride was very smooth when set in comfort mode.

POWER

There are two battery systems offered. The 450+ has 355 horsepower, and 419 lbs./ft. of torque. 0-60 mph time is 6.5 seconds. At 350KW, the battery can be charged to 80% in 30 minutes. A 240-volt is overnight. A more potent 536 horsepower unit is available, with a whopping 633 lbs./ft. of torque and 4.0 0-60 time.

CHARGING

All of our charging was done at a public outlet, using 150KW units. In warm weather, we got 300 miles of range at 80%, and 341 miles at 100%. In daily driving, this Benz actually got the full 341 range.

In cold weather, with night temperatures running 30-40 degrees, the numbers dropped. We obtained 210 miles of range on the clock at 80% and pumped it up to 100% showing 260 miles. But driving in the same temperatures, that 260 number on the screen resulted in only 145 miles of actual range at 75 mph highway cruising. This is not a fault of Mercedes, but how EV batteries behave in a cold climate. Running the heater system full blast can eat up power as well, but as long as the controls are kept below 73 degrees, the range will usually not be affected much.

Public chargers are not cheap. Our bill was $20 for every 120 miles of charge. So the paper cost of filling our max 341 range would be about $57. That could buy about 17 gallons of gas in a conventional car. Obviously, it is more practical to do charging at home.

POV

While a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds doesn't sound quick, the massive torque delivery makes this SUV feel quick enough. This combined with a comfortable ride, and quiet cabin makes this Benz pleasant for daily commuting.

REAR VIEW

The starting fee for a 450+ is $104K. There are plenty of options (like the plush massaging seats we had) that can raise this number in a hurry.

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