Should you buy one?

Mercedes-Benz’s bespoke approach to its electric car range has not quite resulted in an all-conquering electric car experience that we’d hoped for. The EQS is very flash – and as such, attention-grabbing – but this surface detail doesn’t seem to carry through into the depth of the experience.

The long-distance driving experience is paricularly impressive. Not just in offering an easy real-world 375-miles of motorway driving range, but because of its potentially quick recharging rate, excellent driver-assistance systems, and overall stability and poise at high speed.

As a car competing in the luxury class we’d expect the EQS to deliver better better ride quality, though. Don’t get us wrong, it’s not uncomfortable, with road surfaces smoothed out well, but it just doesn’t feel as composed as a luxury model should.

Similarly, although the interior looks special, some of it doesn’t feel that special. Which, considering the price of the EQS, is a little bit galling. And the visual pyrotechnics get quite tiring after only a short period of exposure. As such, we’d prefer to spend the money on a BMW i7 especially if you’re carrying back seat passengers regularly or a Porsche Taycan if you love driving.

What we like

It has a massive battery pack, so will go a long way between charges, and does away with range anxiety completely. The initial experience of the interior is likely to impress some passengers, especially if you’ve specced it up with a hyperscreen.

What we don’t like

The interior lighting and sheer screen overload can be overwhelming for some, it’s not roomy enough for passengers, and lacks the luxury feel of a BMW i7 in the rear.