Mercedes EQS 450+ (2025) Review

THERE seems to be a bit of competition among motor manufacturers where size is everything.

They started off tiny then grew to almost a foot wide, then the Chinese got involved with a screen that swivels from portrait to landscape.

But Mercedes has had the last laugh as the flat screen on the EQS stretches the full width of the car, from the passenger side air-vent to the driver’s, one big sheet of beautiful glass, with vibrant graphics, offering aircraft cockpit amounts of information and myriad functions.

It’s called a hyperscreen and you can’t fail to be impressed as it brings together a 12.3-inch LCD driver display, a 17.7-inch OLED central display with haptic feedback, and an additional 12.3-inch OLED front passenger display under a seamless glass cover.

It sets the tone for the interior which is just plain sumptuous. The impressive dash, the glorious leather seats and tactile trim make for an interior that has opulence written all over it. It is incredibly comfortable and relaxing allowing the Mercedes to chomp through distances with ease, whether that’s on the motorway or driving dynamically cross-country. Even the voice recognition system understands my northern lilt and responds to all the requests I make. Bliss.

There’s even chauffeur mode which shifts the front seats forward to increase legroom for the lucky passengers, who also get their own controls, back of the seat screens and even cushions.

It’s the same with the exterior where glorious lines follow a flowing arc from the standing Mercedes three pointed star to a curvaceous rump boasting 3D helix lights which stretch right across the back. It couldn’t be any sleeker and wind-cheating and at 17ft long and 6.5ft wide EQS commands the road and respect from other motorists.

The opposition doesn’t stand a chance really as I find out when I use EQS to attend another manufacturer’s car launch, the brand new vehicle on test paling by comparison, which is a shame as it should and would have felt better if I’d arrived in something else.

But EQS spoils you in every way, shape and form, from the breath-taking driving experience to the stunning infotainment system. It really is peerless.

EQS is a full electric and before you start to groan, consider this, it has a range of 481 miles and can be charged to 80 per cent in just 31 minutes. Extra strong regenerative braking helps keep the power levels topped up and allows for enthusiastic use of the throttle because lifting off and braking sends power back to the battery.

Performance is spectacular too from the electric motor. It is light-switch instant – 60mph comes up in six seconds – with deep reserves of torque for safe overtakes. Of course there is no noise from motor, tyres or wind making the EQS serene and the rear wheel steer allows the car to handle bends like it is on rails. The suspension is air and you waft along in supreme comfort yet it is also intelligent so it controls the cabin perfectly as speed and steering input increases.

Power reserves used up I head for the supermarket charger and where I’d normally plug in and head to the nearest café to while away the hours. But in the EQS I’m happy sitting in the luxurious interior listening to the superb Burmester hi-fi and playing with the technology. It is so well insulated I don’t even feel the cold as the cabin maintains temperature.

It’s been a busy week with more than 800 miles travelled in the EQS all in utmost comfort. The Mercedes seems to shrink the world because the driving experience is so enjoyable that you are more than happy to be behind the wheel and that enormous dashboard screen.

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