2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan

The EQS 450 4MATIC was new for 2023, and Mercedes rates its two motors at 335 hp combined. The other US trims were the 329-hp RWD 450+ and the 516-hp 580 4MATIC.

The front motor lifts the 450 4MATIC to 590 lb-ft combined, far more than the RWD 450+ makes and well above the sedan norm.

Mercedes quotes 5.3 s for the 2023 450 4MATIC. That is brisk for a car of about 5,600 lb, though well behind the 580 and the AMG.

The dual-motor drivetrain delivers instant, seamless and near-silent thrust, and reviewers rank it among the quietest powertrains in the luxury-sedan class. 2023 carries over the launch V297 drivetrain unchanged.

A single-speed reduction gear means there are no shifts to judge. The steering-wheel paddles select the regen level (D+, D, D–, D Auto), and the predictive D Auto mode blends smoothly.

For 2023, 4MATIC dual-motor AWD comes on the new 450 4MATIC, the 580 4MATIC and the AMG EQS; only the base 450+ is rear-drive. AWD is widely available but not standard, and there are no terrain modes beyond torque-split management.

The EQS is electric only, with no gas, hybrid or PHEV option. It does come in four output tiers from 329 to 751 hp, and buyers who want combustion are pointed to the S-Class.

This is the EPA combined figure for the 2023 EQS 450 4MATIC, which was new that year and got its own certification. The carry-over 450+ and 580 kept their MY2022 ratings of 97 and 95 MPGe.

This is the EPA city figure for the volume 450 4MATIC. The car's mass of about 2.6 tons blunts the city advantage that regenerative braking gives lighter EVs.

This is the EPA highway figure for the volume 450 4MATIC. The 0.20 Cd body pays off most at highway speed.

This is the EPA range for the volume 450 4MATIC on the 108.4 kWh pack. The larger pack from the 2024 facelift had not arrived yet. The range is strong for the class but trails the Lucid Air and Model S.

The pre-facelift EQS accepts up to 200 kW DC on its 400-volt architecture, which is mid-pack among EV sedans. The 800V/350 kW system only arrives with the 2026 facelift.

Mercedes quotes 31 minutes for 10–80% on the 108.4 kWh pack. That is respectable for one of the largest batteries in the class, but slower than 800V rivals.

This is the EPA estimated annual electricity cost at 15k mi/yr for the volume 450 4MATIC.

It uses no gasoline, and the 9.6 kW onboard charger refills the big pack overnight on home Level 2. It scores below 80 because the 2023 car is a 400V CCS1 model with no NACS adapter, so Supercharger access needs an aftermarket adapter, and DC sessions run longer than on 800V rivals.

NHTSA has not crash-tested the 2023 EQS Sedan. Both the RWD and AWD entries read 'Not Rated' for overall, frontal, side and rollover. Per the framework, an unrated vehicle takes 0 rather than an inferred star count.

IIHS has never tested the EQS Sedan, so the 2023 car has no TSP/TSP+ award and no US crashworthiness results. It sits mid-band on its 5-star Euro NCAP result and a robust airbag complement, but trails IIHS-rated rivals such as the S-Class and 7 Series. The front center airbag did not arrive until MY2025.

The EQS launched in the US with Mercedes' full active-assist suite as standard, and MY2023 carries that over. On the volume 450+ that means Active Brake Assist, DISTRONIC adaptive cruise, Active Steering Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist and cross-traffic functions. NHTSA also lists forward-collision and lane-departure warning as standard for 2023.

Standard Active Brake Assist covers vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, with cross-traffic and turning functions. IIHS has not run front-crash-prevention tests on the EQS, so the score rests on Euro NCAP's strong safety-assist and vulnerable-road-user results.

The standard suite includes Active Blind Spot Assist with corrective braking, an exit warning for approaching cyclists and vehicles, and rear cross-traffic braking. Coverage is active intervention on every trim, not alert-only.

Standard Active Steering Assist uses map data for curves and pairs with Active Lane Change Assist. Reviewers find it smooth and confident hands-on, in line with the S-Class implementation.

Standard DISTRONIC is full-speed-range with stop-and-go. It also slows for curves, roundabouts and speed limits using route data. Combined with Active Steering Assist, this is among the most refined highway assists in the class.

Retail buyers of the 2023 EQS Sedan had no hands-free option. Mercedes offers no hands-free Level 2 mode, and DRIVE PILOT (Level 3) was certified in Nevada and California only in 2023. It reached customers as a limited late-2023 'First Class' fleet before retail MY2024 deliveries began, which puts the 2023 car just above the no-hands-free floor.

Adaptive LED headlamps with Adaptive Highbeam Assist are fitted, with DIGITAL LIGHT micromirror projection available. IIHS has never rated the EQS headlights, so the score rests on the hardware rather than a test result.

The one-bow, cab-forward liftback shape brings thick A- and C-pillars, a high beltline and a small, steeply raked rear window. Parking sensors and cameras help at low speed, though the 360° camera's standard status for 2023 is unconfirmed, and rear three-quarter sightlines remain a recurring reviewer complaint.

Outboard lower LATCH anchors and top tethers sit in a roomy full-size rear bench with large rear doors, which suits rear-facing seats. The anchors are tucked into the bolstered cushions, and the sloping roofline narrows the opening slightly for loading a seat.

Every 2023 EQS Sedan trim, including the volume 450 4MATIC, seats five in a 2+3 layout with a 40/20/40 split rear bench.

Front headroom is generous for a fastback. 2023 uses the unchanged launch V297 body (the first facelift came in April 2024), so the published cabin dimensions apply as-is.

Front legroom is adequate but not class-leading. The packaging favors the long rear compartment.

The figure is fair, but the arching roofline brings the headliner close for rear passengers over about 6 ft. KBB lists 'compromised rear headroom' as its main con.

The flat EV floor and 126.4-in wheelbase give limousine-like rear legroom, though long-wheelbase S-Class and 7 Series rivals offer more.

A liftback hatch instead of a trunk lid gives an unusually large, versatile cargo hold for a full-size luxury sedan.

The two-level floating center console has front wireless charging, the door bins are usable, and there is an underfloor well beneath the hatch. Rear wireless charging was a Pinnacle-package item for 2023 and only became standard for 2024. The hood is sealed, so there is no frunk.

The front seats have memory, heating, ventilation and four-way lumbar. Multicontour massage is optional on the 450 trims, and the rear seats recline electrically. KBB notes improved rear comfort for 2023, but full rear massage and the extendable cushions needed the Executive Rear Seat Package Plus.

AIRMATIC air suspension with adaptive damping is standard. Reviewers describe S-Class-grade isolation, with mild firmness only on the largest wheels.

A near-silent EV drive, acoustic glazing, heavy insulation and a Cd 0.20 body make this one of the quietest cabins on sale.

Standard equipment includes multi-zone climate, HEPA ENERGIZING Air Control, a heated wheel, heated and ventilated front seats and remote preconditioning. The heat pump and the fuller rear-seat climate content became standard only for 2024.

The entry 2023 EQS 450+ costs nearly twice the sedan band's $55k ceiling, which is normal for a flagship full-size luxury EV. That is up $2,090 from the 2022 base of $102,310.

The AWD EQS 450 4MATIC, new to the sedan for 2023, is the volume US configuration. It starts at $108,550 with destination, and typical option packages bring stickers to about $113k. The 580 4MATIC starts at $125,950 before destination.

With no oil service, scheduled maintenance is modest. Year 5 falls outside the 4-yr/50k basic warranty, though, and AIRMATIC air suspension, large tires and complex electronics are costly to repair at Mercedes flagship labor rates.

The 2023 EQS 450+ is among the fastest-depreciating cars on sale. KBB shows it losing about 64% of its value in roughly three years, so a ~28% five-year residual is realistic as the decline slows.

This is the standard Mercedes-Benz new-vehicle limited warranty, mid-pack among luxury brands.

The EQS high-voltage battery is warranted for 10 years/155,000 miles, top of the band and longer than the 8-yr/100k most rivals offer.

2023 buyers got two years of unlimited 30-minute Electrify America DC fast-charging sessions via Mercedes me Charge, a Mercedes me connect trial and standard roadside assistance. That is a meaningful package, but the charging is capped per session and non-transferable, and no multi-year free scheduled maintenance is included.

$113,500 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (28% retained, or about $31,780) leaves about $81,720 in depreciation. Add the projected $7,500 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $89,220 in total.

2023 is the second model year of the V297 EQS and a carry-over year, before the April 2024 facelift. Consumer Reports' EQS outlook rests on the Mercedes-Benz brand score plus limited EQS survey data, and comes out worse than the average new car. Owner complaints centre on software, electronics, 12V and fuse faults, and charging. That puts the 2023 car in the lower half of its peer group, but above the Lucid Air and Tesla Model S.

In US dependability studies Mercedes-Benz sits in the lower half of premium brands, well behind Lexus and behind Porsche and Cadillac. Consumer Reports' brand rankings put it in the lower tier of luxury makes. That is mid-pack to below average, but not among the very worst brands.

The 2023 EQS Sedan has 7 NHTSA recalls, fewer than the 2022 launch year (14) but more than 2024 (4). They include a July 2023 drivetrain-software recall for the EQS 450 sedan and a 2023 ESP-monitoring software recall that could erroneously flag a fault, both fixed with software updates. None is a fire or a major hardware campaign, but the volume of software recalls is busier than the segment norm.

The volume EQS 450+ pairs Mercedes' EVA2 permanent-magnet rear drive unit with a 107.8 kWh pack (pre-facelift). There is no widespread motor or pack hardware failure pattern. Even so, the 2023 drivetrain-software recall and the 12V and charging glitches mark it as a newer and less proven powertrain than long-running EV hardware.

The cabin has class-leading materials for a full-size luxury EV: Nappa leather, open-pore wood, backlit trim and extensive ambient lighting, with the MBUX Hyperscreen available. Reviewers rank its tactile quality alongside the S-Class and ahead of the Model S and Lucid Air.

The Sindelfingen-built EQS delivers S-Class-grade panel gaps, isolation and a solid door feel. Quality complaints centre on infotainment and electrical glitches rather than assembly defects, which keeps it just short of the S-Class and BMW i7.

Mercedes-Benz has about 380 US dealers, a denser network than BMW or Audi, and most are certified for high-voltage EQ service. Its service satisfaction is mid-pack among luxury brands, behind Lexus and Genesis.

Mercedes parts are among the industry's most expensive and are mostly sourced from dealers. The EQS adds a large high-voltage pack, air suspension, rear-axle steering and large display assemblies, with little aftermarket support for EV-specific parts. Out-of-warranty repairs are costly.

For 2023 the volume 450 4MATIC comes standard with the 12.8-in OLED portrait touchscreen. The Hyperscreen was standard only on the 580 and optional on the 450 trims, and it became standard on every EQS Sedan from MY2024.

Second-generation MBUX on the 12.8-in OLED is fast and crisp, with a contextual 'zero layer' home screen. Reviewers fault its deep menus, the touch-only climate shortcuts and the haptic steering-wheel pads. The base car has no passenger display, unlike the Hyperscreen cars.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are part of the standard MBUX smartphone integration on the EQS.

The 'Hey Mercedes' assistant understands natural language, and a ChatGPT beta reached US MBUX cars in mid-2023. Native navigation with Electric Intelligence plans charging stops, and augmented-reality guidance is available.

A 15-speaker, 710-W Burmester 3D surround system with sound personalization is standard. The 4D upgrade with seat transducers is optional.

A 12.3-in configurable driver display is standard on every trim and offers multiple view styles.

MBUX and some vehicle functions update over the air, and features such as drive programs can be bought OTA. Edmunds notes customizable alert sounds were added for 2023. The car predates MB.OS, so its whole-vehicle update scope trails Tesla and Lucid.

The Mercedes me connect app covers remote start and preconditioning, lock and locate, charge scheduling and digital key. Some services become paid after the trial period.

Front wireless charging and USB-C ports in both rows are standard. Rear wireless charging was a Pinnacle-package item for 2023 and only became standard for 2024. There is no household AC outlet.

KEYLESS-GO proximity entry with flush pop-out handles, push-button start and remote start are standard, and a digital phone key is supported through Mercedes me. The power charge-port flap arrived only for 2024.

A 360° camera and Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC are fitted, though dealer listings vary on whether they are standard or packaged. 10° rear-axle steering further eases tight parking.

The augmented-reality head-up display, with projected arrows and street names, is available on the 2023 sedan but is an option rather than standard. The US guide lists it as standard only on the AMG EQS.

There is generous rear legroom, outboard LATCH anchors, and a hatch that takes a stroller easily. The low seat height and sloping roofline, which KBB flags for rear headroom, make buckling a child in more awkward than in an SUV.

The full driver-assistance suite and PRE-SAFE are standard. However, the 2023 US car has no NHTSA or IIHS crash rating, rear side airbags were tied to the Pinnacle package, and the price is far above family territory.

The cabin is class-leading for quiet, with multi-zone climate, power-reclining rear seats and 340 mi of EPA range. The hatch takes plenty of luggage. The richest rear amenities, including massage, rear wireless charging and rear entertainment, were optional packages for 2023.

Smooth EV torque, paddle-selectable regen up to one-pedal, adaptive cruise, air suspension and standard 10° rear-axle steering make traffic effortless despite the car's size. The regen/friction brake blend was refined only for 2024.

The 2023 450 4MATIC is rated at 103 MPGe combined (31 kWh/100 mi) and $700/yr to power, far cheaper per mile than a gas flagship. Pricey tires and insurance offset part of that.

At 205.4 in long it is a big car, but standard 10° rear-axle steering cuts the turning diameter to 35.8 ft. Parking cameras help, though rear visibility is poor.

There is no US tow rating and no bed. The cargo hold is shaped for luggage, not tools or materials.

The leather, open-pore wood and glossy OLED surfaces are not built for abuse, and the car has no fleet or commercial heritage.

There is no vehicle-to-load outlet, no work-oriented cargo provision and no upfit ecosystem.

Superb seats, a near-silent cabin, standard DISTRONIC with Active Steering Assist and 340 mi of EPA range make it an excellent tourer. Its 200-kW, 400-V charging (31 min for 10–80%) and CCS1 inlet trail the 800-V rivals.

4MATIC on the volume trim and AIRMATIC's lift function help on snow and gravel. Ground clearance is low, there is no roof-rail provision and there is no US tow rating.

A liftback is rare among full-size luxury sedans: 22 cu ft grows to 63 cu ft through the 40/20/40 split-fold. There is no frunk and no roof-rack provision.

It weighs about 5,600 lb and drives with composure rather than sportiness. The low center of gravity and standard 10° rear-axle steering make it feel smaller than it is, but the BMW i7 and Lucid Air have tighter body control and more grip.

The steering is precise and light but widely described as numb and synthetic, with little feedback even in Sport mode.

Stopping power suits the mass, and paddle-selectable regen ranges from a coasting setting to one-pedal. The pre-2024 regen/friction blend was criticized as inconsistent, which Mercedes recalibrated for MY2024.

The 450 4MATIC's dual motors (335 hp, 590 lb-ft) deliver seamless, instant torque with no shift interruptions. Tip-in is smooth, though less urgent than in the 580.

The motors are near silent and transmit virtually no vibration. The EQS is regularly benchmarked among the quietest production cars.

Standard 10° rear-axle steering, fitted to every US 2023 EQS Sedan, gives a compact-car turning circle on a 126.4-in wheelbase.

The seat and wheel adjust over a wide range. Thick A-pillars and a small rear window limit sightlines, and many functions sit in touch menus on the 12.8-in screen or on haptic steering-wheel pads.

The volume 450 4MATIC is deliberately isolating and rewards relaxed rather than enthusiastic driving. The AMG EQS is the engaging version.

The 2023 EQS 450+ comes loaded at base: AIRMATIC air suspension, a large MBUX central touchscreen, panoramic roof, heated and ventilated memory front seats, Burmester audio and a broad safety suite. The MBUX Hyperscreen, larger rear-axle steering and Driver Assistance packages still cost extra on the 450 trims.

About $105.5k buys roughly 350 miles of EPA range on the 450+ and flagship luxury. The Lucid Air and Tesla Model S deliver more range and performance per dollar, so this is fair value rather than a bargain, though deep 2023 discounting improved real transaction value.

For 2023 the lineup grew to 450+ RWD, a new 450 4MATIC, the 580 4MATIC and the AMG EQS, spanning about $104k to $148k with real drivetrain and performance steps and deep option packages. There is no lower-priced entry rung.

In 2023 the EQS Sedan sold slowly, well below the gasoline S-Class. Dealers needed up to $20,000 in stacked discounts by spring 2023 to move inventory, which shows demand falling short.

Mercedes-Benz is a top-tier aspirational luxury brand. The pre-facelift EQS's grille-less 'jellybean' styling dulled the halo, which Mercedes acknowledged by adding a grille and hood star in the 2024 facelift.

The 2023 EQS Sedan was one of the most heavily discounted luxury cars: a $7,500 lease bonus plus dealer contributions, rebates stacking to $12,500 and dealer discounts near 18% off MSRP. Leftover 2023 units still carried $10,000 bonuses in mid-2024. That is a large buyer benefit, even though it reflects weak demand.

MY2023 is the second year of a generation launched in the US for MY2022, on Mercedes' dedicated EVA2 EV platform. The facelift with a grille, larger battery and interior updates arrived about a year later (April 2024), so 2023 is current but not the final form.

The EQS won the 2022 World Luxury Car award, and reviewers praise its range, ride and silence. They fault the styling, a cabin less special than the S-Class and the price, and it generally loses head-to-heads with the Lucid Air and BMW i7.