Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Announced as Brand’s Fourth EV in Canada
Following the EQS, EQE and EQB, Mercedes-Benz continues its electric offensive with the announcement of the full-size EQS SUV.
The German automaker invited a select group of journalists—including yours truly—to its assembly plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where a new battery factory will also be built.
- Also: 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE 4MATIC+ Coming to Canada This Fall
- Also: First Mercedes-Benz EQS Electric Sedans Now Hitting Showrooms
The brand new EQS SUV shares its architecture with the EQS and EQE. It’s a dedicated EV and not some sort of zero-emission variant of the existing, gas-powered GLS.
Unfortunately, there aren’t too many specs we can give you at this point. We know that the interior features a 56-inch Hyperscreen with the passenger’s side display allowing video streaming. To prevent any distraction behind the wheel, if the camera detects the driver looking at said display, the latter will automatically dim dynamic content.
A third-row seat is available, though it will likely be standard on North American models.
As for the powertrain, the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is a dual-motor vehicle (one motor driving each axle), but the company is leaving the door open for a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive variant at some point in time, according to Daimler AG’s head of electric vehicle development, Holger Enzmann.
Battery size and range are still a mystery. We’ll find out more on April 19 as hinted by the camouflaged prototypes we had access to during the event. Just to be clear, the EQS SUV and EQE SUV will both be built in Alabama.
Riding Shotgun in the EQS SUV
While we were on hand at Mercedes’ proving grounds in Tuscaloosa, we had the opportunity to spend a few minutes inside a pre-production EQS SUV. It may not look like a world-class off-roader, but with Enzmann behind the wheel the big electric SUV still managed to impress. As they say, one shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
The instant torque delivery makes a real difference, for sure. Also, there are multiple cameras and sensors helping drivers out when they can’t see the terrain they’re about to tackle. From our experience, hill descent control seemed quite effective, too.
Another amazing thing about the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is rear-wheel steering. With the ability to turn the rear wheels up 10 degrees, handling is considerably improved and makes the vehicle’s size and weight almost an afterthought.
Hopefully we’ll get our first crack at driving the EQS SUV on and off the road sooner rather than later. Stay tuned.
