2023 Mercedes-AMG EQS
Overview
Just because the 2023 Mercedes EQS is electric doesn’t mean it can’t be an AMG. The brand’s performance division has taken to the flagship electric sedan and added lots more power and performance. Upgraded electric motors offer 649 horsepower. This figure rises to 751 hp with the optional boost mode engaged. Other modifications include a firmer suspension and additional driving modes, although there are no changes to the 107.8-kWh battery pack. Driving range takes a hit due to the less aerodynamic bodywork. It’s expensive, but if power and exclusivity are your things, this big, fast, and quiet four-door could be for you.
What’s New for 2023?
A new exterior paint color, called Twilight Blue Metallic, is the only change for 2023.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
As you’d expect, Mercedes slaps the AMG EQS with a significant upcharge compared with the non-AMG EQS. With a six-figure starting price, this high-performance EV isn’t cheap, and a long list of personalization options can drive the cost even higher. But with this much performance and a price tag this high, the AMG EQS will be on track to take on other speedy EV luxury sedans such as the Audi e-tron GT, the Porsche Taycan, and the high-performance Tesla Model S Plaid.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The AMG EQS has a similar setup as the standard EQS, with one electric motor on the front axle and a second motor on the rear axle, providing all-wheel drive. But there’s plenty of extra power on tap, with the standard AMG EQS providing 649 hp—significantly more than the EQS580’s 516 hp—and 700 pound-feet of torque. Opting for an AMG Dynamic Plus package pushes those numbers even higher, with a boost function able to provide 751 horsepower and 752 pound-feet. We thought the AMG version felt quicker than the standard EQS during our drive, and we were right. The AMG-badged EQS hit 60 mph in 3.0 seconds flat at our test track, 0.7 seconds ahead of the Benz-branded EQS580. In corners, the big and heavy EQS is stable and planted, with better body control than the non-AMG model. But despite AMG’s suspension tweaks and the rear-axle steering, it’s not as agile as other EV sedans such as the Taycan. Fortunately, the AMG model maintains the smooth ride of the standard EQS.
More on the Mercedes-AMG EQS Sedan
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The AMG EQS has the same 107.8-kWh battery pack as the non-AMG model, but its more powerful electric motors decrease efficiency slightly. The AMG-tuned EQS’s EPA-rated range comes in at just 277 miles per charge versus the EQS580’s 340-mile estimate. In our testing though, we observed an impressive 290 miles of driving range on the highway for the AMG, indicating that it’s possible to outperform the EPA’s estimate. The EQS580, it should be said, also outperformed its rating in this same test and delivered 350 miles of range. Mercedes makes similar charging claims for the AMG EQS as the base model, as it has fast-charging capability. For the first two years, Mercedes will provide free fast-charging access through Electrify America, but the individual sessions will be limited to 30 minutes.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
The EPA estimates that the Mercedes-AMG EQS is good for 76 MPGe city and 78 MPGe highway. Those figures are much lower than the regular Benz-branded model but are on par with other performance-oriented electric sedans such as the e-tron GT and the Taycan. For more information about the EQS’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Mercedes has made it clear that its electric vehicles will feature the same sumptuousness as its gasoline-powered luxury cars, and the AMG EQS is no exception. It offers the same giant Hyperscreen setup, with a massive screen stretching across the entire dashboard. The main differences are the additional performance driving modes and displays for the AMG; Mercedes also offers a wider range of trim options, including carbon fiber and aluminum. The AMG model also features fake sounds piped into the cabin that attempt to add some auditory excitement to the otherwise quiet acceleration; we found them to be silly, but some might enjoy the robotic noises.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
The EQS’s massive Hyperscreen is unlike any other infotainment system we’ve seen. It uses Mercedes’s MBUX software and allows for a lot of customizable display options. There’s also an available head-up display with an augmented reality function. The Hyperscreen also supports the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone-mirroring functions.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The AMG EQS will have a driver-assistance package as standard, meaning it comes equipped with features such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. For more information about the EQS’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist Available adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
While Mercedes has yet to release detailed warranty information on the AMG EQS, we expect it to feature similar coverage as the non-AMG EQS, listed below.
Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Electrical components are covered for 10 years or 155,000 miles Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for two years
Specifications
Specifications
2022 Mercedes-AMG EQS 4Matic+
Vehicle Type: front- and mid-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $148,495/$159,055
Options: front carbon-ceramic brakes, $5450; 22-inch wheels, $1850; laminated glass, $1010; four-zone climate control, $750; HEPA filtration for climate control, $450; cabin fragrance, $350; AMG Track Pace app, $250; 110-volt charging cable, $250; dashcam, $200
POWERTRAIN
Front Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC
Rear Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC
Combined Power: 751 hp
Combined Torque: 752 lb-ft
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 107.8 kWh
Onboard Charger: 9.6 kW
Transmissions, F/R: direct-drives
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 17.3-in vented, cross-drilled, carbon-ceramic disc/14.9-in vented disc
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport EV
275/35R-22 104Y MO1
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 126.4 in
Length: 207.3 in
Width: 75.8 in
Height: 59.8 in
Cargo Volume: 22 ft3
Curb Weight: 5911 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.0 sec
100 mph: 7.6 sec
1/4-Mile: 11.4 sec @ 119 mph
130 mph: 14.5 sec
150 mph: 22.3 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 3.3 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.3 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 1.8 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 154 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 167 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 333 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.92 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
75-mph Highway Range: 290 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 77/76/78 MPGe
Range: 277 mi
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
More Features and Specs
