2027 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

Overview

The 2027 Mercedes-Benz EQS satisfies all of the key requirements of the mid-size Luxury SUV EV segment: three rows of seating, upscale cabin material choices, and the availability of two dual-motor powertrains: the EQS400 is good for 336 horsepower and 312-miles of EPA- estimated range while the EQS550 pumps out 556 horsepower and delivers 317 miles of range. All-wheel drive is standard, and in C/D testing the 550 hit 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds.

Drill down beneath the surface, however, and you’ll find an overreliance on touchscreen controls, a tight third row, and pricing on the high side of the segment. That said, the interior displays all the familiar Benz styling cues, and the air-spring suspension delivers a smooth, quiet ride—qualities at the top of the want list for many Benz customers.

Expert Tip: While the EQS SUV is still in the hunt, the competition has moved faster in updating their EV offerings. If you wish to stay under the Mercedes umbrella, you can check out the slightly smaller and significantly less expensive EQE EV SUV.

What’s New for 2027?

Very little. The luxury SUV EV adds standard anodized aluminum roof rails and a few new wheel design choices.

C/D Expert Tip:

If this year’s model is largely unchanged and you’re comfortable with a lightly used car, you may want to consider shopping previous model years. A one-to-three-year-old model will likely have a warranty and it’ll cost less than buying new.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

EV Motor, Power, and Performance

• EV Motors: 355-hp dual motors, 536-hp dual motors
• Drivetrain: all-wheel drive

The EQS SUV is essentially a re-bodied EQS sedan with an elevated seating position and more interior space. The rear-drive, single-motor model fell off the table for 2026, so all EQSs are all-wheel drivers. The EQS400 4Matic makes 355 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque from its two motors, while the EQS550 4Matic produces a total of 536 horsepower and 633 pound-feet.

All EQS SUVs come with an adjustable air suspension and a rear-axle-steering system that delivers a well-cushioned ride and makes the big people-mover surprisingly easy to maneuver. Handling is capable but not particularly satisfying, and steering feedback is minimal.

Unlike the EQS sedan, the SUV features an Off-Road drive mode that raises the suspension and alters the powertrain’s behavior. During a ride-along in a prototype, we experienced this setting on rugged terrain and were impressed with the vehicle’s capabilities. The 2026 EQS400 SUV we drove had a relaxed and comfortable on-road demeanor, which is okay by us given its luxury mission.

0–60-MPH Times

• C/D 60-mph Tests: 5.2 seconds (EQS400 4Matic)

In our testing, the 2026 EQS400 4Matic recorded a 60-mph time of 5.2 seconds. The previous EQS580 4Matic we tested, which is mechanically identical to the current EQS550 4Matic, recorded a 4.0-second blast to 60 mph.

In Comparison: Power outputs and curb weights in this class vary considerably, which makes comparison tricky. A two-motor Genesis GV60 Performance with 483 horsepower got to 60 in 3.7 seconds, while a 500-hp all-wheel-drive Cadillac Lyriq needed 4.6 seconds to reach that speed.

Additional Research

Towing and Payload Capacity

• Max Towing: 3500 pounds

The EQS SUV can tow up to 3500 pounds when properly equipped.

In Comparison: The Lucid Gravity EV SUV is rated to tug up to 6000 pounds, and the Rivian R1S EV SUV is capable of 7700 pounds.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

• C/D Range Tests: 290 miles (2023 EQS450 4Matic and EQS580 4Matic)
• EPA EV Range: 312-317 miles

The 2027 EQS SUVs wield a 118-kWh battery pack that’s good for 312 miles of EPA range in the EQS400 4Matic and 317 miles in the more powerful EQS550 4Matic. Both models support DC fast-charging at a rate of up to 200 kilowatts, which will restore the battery’s charge from 10 to 80 percent in about half an hour. In our testing, we were able to charge from 10 percent to 90 percent in 43 minutes.

On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route, the 2023 EQS450 4Matic and the EQS580 4Matic both delivered exactly the same 290 miles of range. We’ll update this page with results for the latest models when we get the chance to test them.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

• C/D 75-mph Highway Fuel-Economy Tests: 78 MPGe (2023 EQS450 4Matic), 83 MPGe (2023 EQS580 4Matic)
• EPA City Ratings: 80-82 MPGe
• EPA Highway Rating: 78 MPGe

The EPA rates the EQS450 4Matic at 80 MPGe city, 78 MPGe highway, and 80 MPGe combined, while the EQS580 gets 82, 78, and 79 MPGe, respectively. (MPGe stands for miles per gallon of gas equivalent, an EPA metric that estimates PHEV and EV fuel efficiency.)

On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, 2023 versions of the EQS450 4Matic and EQS580 4Matic—which employ slightly smaller battery packs than the current models—saw 78 MPGe and 83 MPGe. For more information about the EQS SUV’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

In Comparison: The BMW iX xDrive45 SUV EV has EPA ratings of 94 MPGe city, 93 MPGe highway, and 94 MPGe combined. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route, the iX xDrive45 managed a 99 MPGe result and matched the EQS’s 290 miles of range.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

First Row: Inside, the EQS SUV features the type of rich materials and high-tech equipment that define modern-day Mercedes-Benz models. User-adjustable ambient lighting, heated and ventilated front seats, lush leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, Benz’s dash-spanning Hyperscreen, and wireless charging are included.

Second Row: Riders in the second row have ample leg- and headroom, not to mention standard seat heating, wireless phone charging, and pillow-soft headrests.

Third Row: A two-seat third row is available, but adults will find the wayback too tight. The SUV’s sloping roofline eats into headroom back there too.

Cargo Capacity: The cabin has several storage spaces, including a large bin below the

Source: www.caranddriver.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.