HARD DRIVE
We download YouTube’s #1 tech expert on whatever he’s been driving this month
If the future of all cars is electric, then each different type of car will face its own challenges in transitioning. Electric sports cars have to find a way to be as fun to drive as the petrol ones, electric pickups will have to worry about towing capacity, GTs will need a big range so they can do their job properly. None of this is easy. But big luxury sedans? I feel they’ve got the simplest job, because they translate to electric power perfectly.
The EQS is basically an S-Class but better in every way. You want a big car? Perfect, it’s massive, and that also allows room for a huge 108kWh battery, so the 477-mile range is impressive. You want plenty of interior space? Perfect, the more compact powertrain and a bespoke platform designed from scratch to be electric means there’s even more than an S-Class. You want peace and quiet? No problem, I drove a camouflaged prototype but it was still as quiet as any car I’ve ever driven.
My major concern? Mercedes has thrown every tech feature under the sun at the EQS, but the speed and logic of the interface and software doesn’t quite live up to the look. You’ll see I scored it a seven for tech, but if Mercedes could sort all this out for the production car it could be as much as a nine.
SUBSTANCE OVER STYLE
Look, I get the EQS’s shape is dictated by aerodynamics and making the car as slippery as possible, but it’s just not my style. It has a drag coefficient of 0.2, which is
impressive, Merc’s not messing around and clearly putting efficiency and range above all else, but yeah, it’s just a bit bleh. A bit meh. Maybe I’d appreciate it more without the camouflage, but honestly, I doubt it.
BACK SEAT DRIVER
Obviously it’s not supposed to be sporty, and for many it’s a car not to drive but be driven in, but I was surprised by how much I liked driving it. It’s fast, there’s a Sport mode if you’re
feeling brave, but it feels
more like a boat than a car. This is a huge, heavy sedan – nothing wrong with that, but it drives like a big pillow.
TURN TO P82 TO SEE THE EQS WITHOUT THE WRAPPING PAPER
WHEN THE CROWD SAY MODE SELECTOR
Paddle shifters switch between the adjustable levels of regen braking, which is cool. I just stuck it in max and went about my day.
PLUG AND PRESS PLAY
I think I counted eight USB-C ports in here, two wireless chargers and more screens than seats.
INTERFACE FAIL
The interior looks amazing, but the interface itself has
too many features in it: from ambient lighting modes, to driver assist features, to the user profile settings, to memorising preferences for every single seat, it makes navigating all the submenus painful. The screen response felt a bit slow and outdated too – like a concept UI or Windows Media Player from back in the day. The functionality is all there, it’s just the organisation, ease of use, responsiveness and graphics that could use some work. Let’s hope Mercedes can work some magic before it makes production.
VERDICT
Yes, I’m an electric car fan, but still this is a better car in every way than the non-electric S-Class. It suits the car’s character perfectly and it has the performance and range to back it up.
CONSUMER TECH COMPARISON...
A June Oven – a super high-tech toaster oven thing that has a million different functions. Nobody really needs one, but it’s pretty sweet.