2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Is an Electric Dreadnought, but It's No Better Than a GLS

Just like its name implies, this gigantic SUV is the high-bodied alternative to the EQS fastback sedan, which is built on the same EVA architecture. As a refresher, EVA stands for Electric Vehicle Architecture and is used by Mercedes for the EQE, EQE SUV, EQS, and the EQS SUV, the first three-pointed star cars developed from the ground up as electric vehicles. Thanks to this reason, there is more than just a family resemblance regarding design between the EQS and EQS SUV.

Apart from the platform, the two electric models share a myriad of components, both visible and not, including the powertrains and the battery, which fit perfectly thanks to the identical wheelbases.

Speaking of powertrains, from the three available options at this time, I got to test drive the EQS SUV 580 4Matic, whose moniker is a bit misleading if you don't know your Mercedes-Benz nomenclature. The 4Matic part of the name obviously implies that the model is all-wheel-drive, with one electric motor powering the front axle and a second one powering the rear.

Generation Alpha versus a Well-Versed Millennial

As to why it also has 580 in its name, that's because Mercedes-Benz feels its performance and place in the lineup is not unlike that of an ICE-powered Merc with the same numbers on its trunk lid. In other words, an ICE equivalent in the traditional lineup would be the Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 4Matic. But is it, though?

While Stuttgart told everyone to believe the EQS is the electric correspondent to the S-Class (it's not, by a long shot), it would be safe to assume that the EQS SUV is the electron-powered equivalent to a GLS, right? Well, not exactly, even though the models are pretty close regarding interior size or passenger comfort features.

Both the GLS and the EQS SUV are premium full-size SUVs with up to seven seats and trick air suspension and are equipped with things like intelligent climate control, gigantic sunroofs, or fancy Burmester 3D sound systems.

The EQS SUV is slightly shorter, albeit a LOT heavier than the GLS in its 580 iteration, and despite their similarities, the overall vibe is that of an entirely different animal. In other words, it's like comparing apple and apple sauce – they taste almost the same but have way different textures.

On the other hand, comparing the EQS SUV with the EQS liftback sedan feels more appropriate, especially considering the identical platform and powertrains and similar design.

That is when the electric SUV shows its trump card, as the model is and especially feels a lot roomier than its sedan counterpart, making it even more comfortable and relaxing on a long drive.

Comfortable Lounge on Stilts

Speaking of long drives, because it's slightly heavier and not as aerodynamic as the sedan, the EQS SUV has a lower range than its non-SUV counterpart. Official numbers say it can go for up to 382 miles (615 km) in WLTP testing or 285 miles (459 km) EPA, which is close to what I managed with our tester - equipped with 21-inch winter tires.

Obviously, the actual range will depend on many factors, including speed, terrain, temperature, driving style, optional equipment, use of vehicle features, etc. Unlike other EVs, the results appear to be pretty consistent in real life, albeit around 25 percent less than what the manufacturer and official testing say.

Speaking of vehicle features, the EQS SUV is just as quirky as its sedan brethren, meaning that you can spec it with the giant so-called Hyperscreen or the uncanny-looking 10-degree rear-steering system.

Because you sit higher in the SUV, the Hyperscreen makes even better use of its real estate and doesn't protrude as much in the driver's and front passenger's leg space. Apart from providing you with some techy eye candy and a huge area to clean for fingerprints and smudges, the features you can control with the MBUX infotainment system make the model feel even more premium than it is.

For example, you can set your perfect driving position by simply selecting your height on the Hyperscreen, and the car will automatically adjust the steering wheel and the driver's seat to you.

Our test car wasn't equipped with the 7-seat option, meaning that the downright cavernous interior also benefited from 31 cu-ft (880 liters) of luggage space with all the seats in place and without filling the trunk to the ceiling.

The optional 10-degree rear steering, apart from being a cool party trick for showing your friends in a parking lot, actually helps the 201.8-inch (5,125 mm) long SUV have the turning circle of a Mercedes-Benz A-Class, or 36 feet (11 m).

Its unassuming design doesn't do much in explaining its status to bystanders, not like the GLS anyway. Still, you will never miss it in a crowded parking lot, looking like it hovers above everything else except full-size trucks.

A Goliath that Moves Like David (Sometimes)

Speaking of hovering, that's a pretty good impression of how the standard three-chamber air suspension works on the EQS SUV. Obviously, there is no suspension system out there that can entirely hide a heft of 2.8 metric tons, but the Airmatic does punch way above its weight, pun 100 percent intended.

The EQS SUV doesn't feel like a Lotus, but it never feels out of control, no matter the driving settings you use. The suspension works in mysterious ways in keeping the EQS SUV the sunny side up in just about every driving situation, especially when you select the 'Sport' driving mode.

Make no mistake, there is nothing sporty about something that weighs as much as a small building trying to go fast around corners, but the car feels like it literally flattens any road imperfection before it reaches the interior.

Even when cornering hard, the EQS SUV feels as planted as something that is thousands of pounds lighter, and the suspension is probably helped in delivering that feeling by the fact that its center of gravity is low, thanks to the heavy battery in the floor.

Speaking of battery, the total capacity of the one Mercedes-Benz has decided to use on its EQS models is a massive 120 kWh, of which up to 108.4 kWh are available.

The two motors that comprise the powertrain offer a combined output of 536 HP (544 PS) and 633 lb-ft (858 Nm) of torque and can push the heavy Leviathan from 0 to 62 mph (100 kph) in 4.6 seconds, according to official Mercedes-Benz data.

As mentioned earlier, our car was equipped with 21-inch winter tires, and during my test drive, I consistently managed to do the 0-62 mph test in around 4.4 seconds, meaning that in perfect conditions and with better tires, you could probably launch the EQS SUV 580 even harder than that. That is definitely not bad for a Mercedes SUV missing those magical AMG letters in its name.

You can lose yourself in any of the plush seats and have enough room to stretch in just about any direction, making it even more understandable why Mercedes also gave it a Maybach version.

Does all this make the EQS SUV a good alternative to the ICE-powered GLS? Unlikely, unless you agree with its shortcomings and you hate fossil fuel burning with a passion. Is it a good alternative to the EQS sedan, though? Yes, and it might even be the better vehicle.

Even sales have started to enfore the idea that the EQS is not exactly the electric S-Class everyone was raving about, while the EQS SUV is actually selling like hot cakes for such an expensive EV.