Mercedes-Benz EQS Hatchback (2021 - ) Electric review

The EQS is a big, fast, luxury saloon packing a six-figure price tag if you’re buying it outright. Running costs, however, compare favourably with those of any petrol or diesel car you care to mention thanks to very low company car tax (BIK), road tax (VED), exemption from congestion charges and cheaper servicing costs. You also get free public rapid charging for one year with Ionity. The EQS would have got five stars here but we have to deduct a point for the inability to set a timer when charging at home, which would enable you to set the charger to coincide with your off-peak energy tariff. As it stands unless you have a timer on your charging point, or don’t go to bed before midnight, you’ll be charging it at daytime rates. Ouch. For whatever reason Mercedes and MG are pretty much the only brands that don’t have this functionality on their electric models.

Given the price tag we wouldn't expect much to go wrong with this car and, if it did, we would hope Mercedes would put it right straight away. The electrified EQ range is now well established, with everything from the EQA to the EQC so Mercedes’ electric technology has been put to the test with few problems to report so far. For added reassurance the battery itself is protected by a 10-year warranty, while the rest of the car is under more typical three-year, unlimited mileage cover.

Unsurprisingly, for a car so far ahead of the competition in terms of tech the EQS scores full points for safety. Equipment includes a parking package with sensors front and rear, a 360-degree camera, optional remote parking (you can park the car while standing outside it) and Park Assist which helps move the car into the space. Further up the trim list you get a head-up display with every conceivable bit of information on it, including sat-nav instructions and the current speed limit. Meanwhile, the safety effect of the wellbeing function within the Energizing Comfort package should not be underestimated and it genuinely helps you keep more alert. For added reassurance there is also a drowsiness detection system, which alerts you if it senses your eye movement slowing.

Despite the aerodynamic design (the EQS is the most aerodynamic car currently in production), there is plenty of headroom inside for four occupants. There is also an astonishing amount of legroom in the rear, giving the car a limousine vibe. Added to which the boot is vast. Our car was decked out in soft white Nappa leather on the steering wheel and seats, - beautiful for adults but a nightmare if you have children on the basis the rear carpets took a hammering from muddy boots. It also had a double sunroof. At launch there are five trim levels ranging from AMG Line, AMG Line Premium, Premium Plus, Luxury and Exclusive Luxury. All get full leather, a panoramic roof and heated seats front and rear, as well as a flat-bottomed steering wheel with a host of controls included on its spokes.

This really is the EQS’s selling point, and what lifts it so far ahead of the competition from BMW or Audi. Ticking the box for the Hyperscreen package is expensive but arguably essential to realise the car’s full tech potential, given it effectively combines three screens into one giant expanse of glass covering the whole dashboard. These comprise configurable digital instruments for the driver, a huge tablet in the centre and a third touch-screen for the passenger to control their own functions without having to stretch across. If you are driving alone you can select the screensaver to show an image of a futuristic concept, or stars. The sat-nav is the default backdrop for the central screen, with other functions appearing as boxes on top of it. It shows an extraordinarily clear map and swaps to show a camera generated ‘augmented reality’ view of the road ahead at junctions in the hope you never miss a turn. The Energizing Comfort function contains a wealth of wellbeing programmes, which are very effective. You can choose from settings such as Warmth, Vitality, Forest Glade, Summer Rain and more. There’s even a special Power Nap one if you fancy a snooze while the car is parked up to charge. Each programme adapts the ambient temperature, lighting, audio, massage function in the seats and screen display to create a certain ambience. It really works to either de-stress or wake up the occupants. Switch to the EQ function on the screen and it will tell you how much range you have left, where the nearest charging points are and how to gain more range by turning off various settings. Needless to say, there is also a smartphone mirroring and every other conceivable advancement introduced in cars and the wider tech world in recent years.

The astonishing thing about the EQS is not its speed, comfort, smooth air suspension or steering precision but the fact that it retains its battery range alongside such immense performance. The impressive 333 horsepower is delivered silently and smoothly, with 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds. Maybe not be Tesla quick but it feels rapid in a big, heavy saloon and a big-hitting Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 with up to 761 horsepower is joining the range if you feel the need. Back in the real world Mercedes promises a maximum range of 453 miles for the regular version. We didn't quite cover that during our test period but it looked promising from the battery performance over the 200 miles we covered. The battery charges from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in 30 minutes on a suitable rapid charger. If you can find one that would give you 186 miles of charge in 15 minutes. Otherwise it’s the old overnight slog on the home charger, though given the size of the battery that might not be long enough charge up fully and definitely not in the midnight to 5am sweetspot of cheaper electricity tariffs. Rather than running the battery down we’d recommend regular, smaller top-ups where possible.