Base Mercedes-Benz EQS a pleasant shock in more ways than one

When Mercedes Benz unveiled the EQS in 2021, it was immediately dubbed the S-Class of the future for being more than just Benz’s first dedicated luxury electric vehicle.

For starters, it looked completely different from any other Mercedes-Benz, promised levels of power more representative of flagship of S-Class derivatives, and the ability to cocoon its occupants in futuristic and silent luxury thanks to a minimalist interior complete with the ground breaking corner-to-corner 56-inch Hyperscreen digital dashboard.

The opposite of the expected

What transpired with the EQS 450+ that arrived from the weeklong testing period though was the complete opposite.

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For one, the model that opens the EQS range below the range-topping AMG 53 conformed to the principle of keeping it simple without going overboard.

While the sealed grille with its eye-catching mini three-pointed star decals identifies the EQS’ lack of a combustion engine, the most enticing aspect was that the test model lacked the AMG Line appearance package, the bigger alloy wheels and indeed any aspirations of wanting to be sporty and luxurious at the same time.

When base is good

As a further way of not wanting to draw much attention itself, the 450+ also omitted the Hyperscreen and while likely to be lambasted for not having the very piece of technology that will ultimately be passed down to future Mercedes models, the OLED setup wasn’t missed as its absence meant the dashboard was festooned with the same small Mercedes-Benz badges as on the grille.

Although it would be downright silly to refer to car costing R2 620 500 before options as “bare-bones”, in this case, the “poverty spec” EQS stood out more for being simple and dare I say it, easy appreciate for being what it is; a big luxury sedan that happens to be electric.

As much as styling is subjective, the EQS, it has to be said, plays the conservative card compared to the polarising route taken by the new BMW 7 Series and its i7 sibling.

Appearing noticeably CLS-like with its sloping coupe-style roof, pillarless doors and full-width LED taillights, the EQS is unlikely to divide opinions in the same way as its contemporary from Munich.

That being said, it won’t be called understated either as evident not only by the grille, but also the EQ specific lights, massive windscreen and the huge bonnet that reminds of the cab-forward design former affiliate Chrysler once applied to its big sedans.

Inside the future… almost

Open the pillarless doors, the interior, enough without its piece de resistance, impresses. Besides traditional Mercedes-Benz fittings such as the turbine-style vents and column mounted gear selector, the rest is all new age from the freestanding 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, to the new steering wheel and the 12.8-inch tablet-style MBUX infotainment system jutting out from the centre console.

Suitably dramatic, the latter, despite its inherent complex looks, is easy to figure out and besides the “Hey Mercedes” voice activation, is logically devised and mixes very well with physical switchgear as its base.

Quality is also good, though some of the plastic did feel a bit cheap in some places. However, these are livable unlike the touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel that make scrolling though the cluster a mission and frustrating.

For its part, the electrically adjustable wheel is grippy and the ventilated, heated and electric leather seats more than supportive irrespective of the driving position.

While it will be debated as to whether the illuminated Benz stars on the dash is required, what certainly won’t arouse contempt is the amount of space at the front and rear, plus the amount of headroom in spite of the dual-pane panoramic sunroof.

As a result of the EQS’ fastback rear deck, boot space is just as noteworthy with 610-litres available behind the rear seats, which increases to 1 770-litres with the rears folded down.

Predictably, the “basic” charm of the 450+ won’t be to everyone’s taste and while without the same level of entertainment tech as the i7, buyers can still delve into the options list to specify a pair of 11.6-inch rear displays and an optional 15-speaker, 710-watt Burmester 3D surround sound system as part of the rear seat entertainment system.

Despite neither of these being fitted to our tester, like the Hyperscreen, it somehow didn’t matter as the EQS exhibited an old-school approach to chauffeured luxury without complaints.

For all this, plus the ambient lighting being cheekily set to the same green hue as the colours of the Mercedes Formula 1’s team main sponsor, Petronas, the biggest highlight came in the shape of the electric powerunit.

Born EV

As unavoidable as a comparison between the EQS and i7 is, it should be noted that the former has been designed from the get-go as an EV whereas the BMW’s CLAR architecture still underpins combustion engine vehicles in addition to EVs.

The end result is a somewhat contrived comparison that shouldn’t be made as a result of the EQS being an out-and-out EV and the i7 an “adapted” 7 Series with electric hardware.

Regardless, a “head-to-head” is likely to made anyway and while the i7’s battery is smaller at 101.7-kWh and its weight 200 kg more, it feels liver than the EQS as a result of developing 400kW/742Nm.

However, the EQS, whose 107.8-kWh battery pack develops 245kW/565Nm, is anything but a slouch and while not as instant as the i7 when provoked, it’s emphasis on wafting in silence rather than delivering a brute EV kick in the stomach takes preference as a slight lag is detected the moment the accelerator is floored.

Switched to Sport mode, the usual rapid EV accelerating prevails, but in typical large Mercedes fashion, and in contrast to the i7, the EQS feels more inclined to take it easy instead of silently taking off with the vengeance.

And taking it easy is where the EQS comes into its own. Besides its cabin being refined and well insulated, the standard air suspension provided a cosseting ride that took imperfections in its stride with almost no hint of them having been there.

While 20-inch alloy wheels are standard, our tester sported the optional 21-inch wheels with fetching blue spokes that not only looked good, but also worked in conjunction with the suspension to deliver that impressive ride.

Perhaps the standout is the EQS’ eventual range that by the end of its tenure, never required a visit to a charger as after 323 km, it still had a range of 266 km and battery capacity of 37% left – this after starting out with an indicated range of 570 km and 92% battery life.

Unsurprisingly, the best recorded consumption of 19.1-kWh/100 km marginally bettered that of the i7, though still came nowhere to Mercedes-Benz’s claim of 16.2-kWh/100 km.

Conclusion

It could be seen as a very ironic twist that a “basic” old-school approach to luxury applies to what is meant to be Mercedes-Benz’s most technology advanced sedan from a drivetrain and a features perspective as the EQS.

It is, however, something the 450+ excels in and while numerous options boxes will most certainly to be ticked to bring it up to “modern” standards, the most basic EQS still makes for an impressive showing with the bare minimum inside and more than enough shock to waft and go.

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