Pompously described as being the S-Class of electric vehicles, the EQS Sedan proved a commercial flop. In the United States, for example, Merc delivered 6,688 units last year, which is a drop of minus 40.8 percent compared to 2022.
There are many reasons behind this poor delivery figure, beginning with the 400-volt electrical architecture. Weird styling and starting prices in the $100,000s for the rear-wheel-drive 450+ also need to be mentioned. We also have to remember that EQS Sedan rolled out in 2021 for model year 2022. Given the aforementioned, the mid-cycle facelift will arrive at showrooms for model year 2025.
What changed, though? Under the skin, the so-called EVA2 platform soldiers on with 400 volts instead of the rumored 800 volts. Looking at the glass half full, Mercedes did increase net battery capacity from the pre-facelift's 108.4 kilowatt hours to 118 kilowatt hours. The gross capacity hasn't been provided by the German manufacturer.
The list of technical improvements further includes new regenerative braking software. According to the Stuttgart-based company, it features an increased recuperation level and a special function that applies the brake pads to the discs automatically from time to time to maintain the brake system.
As far as the interior is concerned, Mercedes-Benz AG has adorned the rear-passenger climate control vents on the B pillars with chrome accents. Chrome is one of the least fancy materials I can think of in a luxury sedan that costs more than $100,000 from the outset, but then again, Mercedes isn't the only luxury automaker that gets these details wrong.
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes also thinks that rear-passenger comfort pillows with contrast stitching and Nappa leather piping are fancy as well. Criticism aside, Mercedes did get the Pinnacle Trim with the Executive Interior Package right. More specifically, the front passenger seat folds forward, allowing the rear occupant to stretch their legs. The rear-seat backrest can be electrically adjusted up to 38 degrees.
The standard rear seats, by comparison, offer 27 to 36 degrees. Merc has also added 0.2 inches of foam to the backrests of the standard rear seats. Turning our attention back to the Pinnacle Trim with the Executive Interior Package, rear seat depth can be adjusted pneumatically. Rapid heating for the neck, shoulders, and butt rounds off said package.
And now, for the elephant in the room. Clearly visible in the attached photo gallery, Mercedes revised the front end with a black panel grille and – get this – a standing star on the hood. While it may look better than the 2022 to 2024 models, one cannot escape the fact that it's yet another closed grille that impersonates an actual radiator grille.
Over in the United States, the front end is enhanced by a standard AMG Line bumper. Prices for the 2025 model are currently unknown, but given the described updates, the EQS 450+ should start higher than the 2024 model's $104,400 MSRP. The all-wheel-drive version is $107,400, whereas the EQS 580 and AMG are $125,950 and $147,550.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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