Ever wanted a Luxury Electric SUV without the issues of body fitment? Well the EQS is perfect, it has all the luxury trimmings you want and the Mercedes build quality you desire. This example here is the EQS 580 SUV which is the top model here in Canada, which means it has 536hp compared to the 335hp in the EQS 450. Before I get to the powertrain let’s go over all the key stats. Range 459km or 285 miles. You can charge from 10-80% in a bit over half an hour with a 200kW DC charger. As tested here it comes to $178,600.

As for the styling, it’s very similar to the EQS sedan which it shares the platform with. Mostly smooth from the front to the back, while this does help with aerodynamics which aids range it’s a bit bubbly for some. Some notable elements include the little Mercedes emblems in the front faux grille and lower grilles. Elegantly designed front and rear LED lamps. Just like the regular EQS, the hood on the SUV doesn’t open so the windshield washer fluid can be filled via a flap on the driver’s side.

Inside the EQS SUV is a carbon copy of the sedan. Starting at the front we get a giant hyper screen that spans the width of the dash allowing occupants to see everything (including fingerprints) that’s important. These screens are certainly a wow factor but I found at different angles the glare from the sun and other elements can be quite distracting. It does have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and thanks to the OLED display the images are vivid and very pleasant to look at.

Being that it’s a Mercedes product, it’s important to have comfort at the top of the priority list. The front seats are heated, ventilated, and massaging to provide the best experience. In the rear, you can get similar features as long as you option it before purchase. It is also possible to get a 3rd row within the vehicle, however as my tester was only a 5 passenger I can not comment on the space and usability.

Out on the road, it’s a very comfortable luxury EV SUV. It’s quiet and provides all the acceleration one would need. There are two powertrain options, the base is the 450 model which provides 335 and 590lb-ft. The demo here is the 580 which boosts power to 536hp and 633lb-ft. Both models have dual motors and have the same EPA range of 459km or 285 miles. For most that live here in Vancouver that’s completely fine but for those that live in the countryside and have longer commutes that may become an issue.

Something that Mercedes has always done well is suspension design. While this is no sports car albeit it kinda feels like it because of the acceleration, it’s very soft and supple. Around town, the AirMatic suspension soaks up all the bumps allowing the passengers to travel in peace and serenity. Even on the highway, you’ll hear a bit of wind noise and tire noise while it rolls to highway speeds in less than 5 seconds. Throw it into a corner with a bit more velocity and the EQS SUV will complain. It certainly can handle corners but due to the weight, it doesn’t feel like it likes to. Around town, the trick rear-wheel steering aids maneuverability and allows for easy u-turns or even parking lot maneuvers.

Overall if you’re looking for a silent luxury SUV with all the latest tech the Mercedes is certainly one to look out for. It looks a bit more bland than the BMW iX, for some that may be a good thing. One thing is for sure, it’s built well, gaps in the panels are consistent there’s none of that “Tesla build quality” here. It’s one fine German machine even though it’s built in the USA.