The Mercedes-Benz EQS is a battery-powered, full-size, luxury car introduced by Mercedes-Benz in 2021.
It is a very recent ride that critics have already tagged as an alternative to the Tesla Model S because it is among electric cars with a +350-mile range.
However, this car has some issues you’d love to know before attempting to own one.
In this article, we discuss the issues with the Mercedes-Benz EQS and we also look at its resale value to lead you in on its real worth.
Table of Contents
1. The Regenerative Braking System May Make Braking Awkward
Mercedes built the EQS with every measure to make driving easier. So, it works with a regenerative braking system that automatically applies the brake or slows down the vehicle as soon as you step off the gas pedal.
This feature even does more than that. It also helps to charge the car battery by converting the energy derived from slowing down the car into battery-charging power.
However, this feature may take a long while to get used to by many users. In fact, critics have claimed that users will not appreciate this new braking feature.
The truth is, when you activate the regenerative braking system, the brake will respond by itself, and it may make it feel mushy when you attempt to exert physical pressure on it.
Mind you, you can drive the vehicle without using the regenerative braking system.
When you start the car, it’ll automatically stay in normal mode, but you can reset it to “No Recuperation” to make the car function without the regenerative braking system and, if you love the feature, you can set it to “Strong Recuperation” to make the feature more obvious.
2. The Infotainment System Is Quite Complex
The infotainment system of the Mercedes-Benz EQS is one of its most enticing features.
Of course, the vehicle features the Mercedes unique MBUX infotainment system, and its voice-controlled virtual assistant remains one of the vehicle’s wow factors.
However, the EQS infotainment system works with on-screen menus, which makes controlling the interface somewhat difficult.
The truth is, it’ll take a while for a total newbie to get used to the infotainment controls.
Moreover, many critics have complained about how hard it is to locate the audio control within the infotainment interface.
While the Mercedes-Benz EQS’s high-tech interior is part of its appeal, some controls are hard to master or just downright annoying.
Lumbar adjustments must be configured through the touchscreen and is difficult to locate audio controls within the infotainment interface.
Source: Motor Biscuit
Meanwhile, the Mercedes-Benz EQS is among the popular electric cars with a head-up display.
3. The Autonomous Emergency Braking System Can Be Erratic
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) is an advanced automobile safety technology that automatically activates the brakes in the car based on the traffic ahead of the driver.
In most cases, before the AEB activates itself, the driver would have received a collision threat warning. So, the AEB comes into action when the driver refuses to heed the warning.
However, there’s been eight NHTSA complaints about the Forward Collision Avoidance: Autonomous Emergency Braking functioning erratically.
A notable one among the complaints is quoted below:
I was traveling at 10 mph on a two-lane road in clear conditions at 4 p.m. A single car was parked legally ahead on the right and there was a single safety cone present, off the road and further ahead on the left.
The road was perfectly clear for driving. Without any warning, visual, or sound, the autonomous emergency braking system fully engaged and brought the car to a dead stop.
Source: NHTSA
General Pros and Cons of the Mercedes-Benz EQS
Like every other vehicle, the Mercedes-Benz EQS has some known advantages as well as a few downsides. Check them below.
Pros
- EQS offers a quiet and comfortable ride
- Its driving is remarkably impressive
- It comes with loads of standard tech and safety features
- The vehicle has a spacious cargo hold
Cons
- The rear space is less spacious for its size
- The cabin controls may be somewhat too demanding
- It comes with an expensive price tag
What Do the Reviews Say?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS offers a technologically enriched ride that delights most critics and reviewers.
If you’re after the most technologically advanced luxury sedan, then the Mercedes-Benz EQS should be high on your consideration list.
It’s the company’s attempt at an electric equivalent to an S-class, and it offers the latest and greatest gadgetry.
Source: Car and Driver
Most people also love how quiet the ride quality of the EQS is.
The EQS is also one of the quietest cars we’ve tested, with minimal outside noise making its way into the cabin.
The ride quality is smooth, though we think the S-Class is ultimately a bit better at smoothing out bumps in the road.
Source: Edmunds
Note that the Mercedes-Benz EQS is built just like the S-Class. The most obvious difference lies in the fact that S-Class runs on gas while the EQS is an electric vehicle.
Mind you, this car lacks ample space at the rear in spite of being a large sedan. It measures about 202 – 207 inches in length, 76–77 inches in width, and 60–68 inches in height. So, it disappoints many with its rear seat space.
Oddly, the EQS is lacking in rear seat space. Rear legroom is OK, but there’s not much headroom considering this is a large luxury sedan.
Passengers 6 feet tall or taller will likely be bumping their heads up against the roof.
Source: Edmunds
Another aspect of the car that does not meet the fancy of most reviewers is the infotainment system.
Inside the Mercedes-Benz EQS, the dashboard’s placement is too high compared to the driver’s low seating position.
Many drivers will have to elevate their seats or steering wheel, compromising overall comfort.
Source: Motor Biscuit
What’s the Resale Value for the Mercedes-Benz EQS?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS comes in different variants: EQS 350, EQS 450+, EQS 450 4MATIC, EQS 500 4MATIC, EQS 580 4MATIC, and EQS AMG 53 4MATIC+.
They all have slightly varying prices.
Mind you, the Mercedes-Benz EQS emerges as Motor Trend’s worst car for 2022 with the highest depreciation rate.
They claim that this car will lose 39% of its value after five years.
In this light, check the resale value of different Mercedes-EQS models below, derived from Edmunds and CarFax.
| Models | Mileage | Prices |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 | 873 | $121,366 |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 | 2,202 | $115,854 |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ | 15,774 | $76,900 |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ | 7,919 | $81,991 |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 53 AMG | 836 | $138,999 |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS AMG | 4,154 | $131,000 |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4MATIC | 3,932 | $117,590 |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 | 587 | $106,994 |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 | 1,239 | $104,995 |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 | 4,650 | $97,500 |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 | 1,384 | $122,995 |
While you must have noted the different resale values for similar models, it is important to note that the actual resale price for a used car depends largely on how well the previous owner maintained it and the mileage the vehicle has covered.
Final Thoughts
The Mercedes-Benz EQS is a very new ride introduced into the EV market. It belongs to the Mercedes-Benz EQ family, which boasts eight different electric vehicle models.
EQS only has two model years: the 2022 and the 2023 models. So, it may be too early to get enough practical reviews from users or owners.
Besides, the Mercedes-Benz EQS comes in a pretty high price range.
It is Mercedes’ flagship electric car and regardless of its few faults, like its cramped rear space, this vehicle may remain a much-coveted ride for the next years to come.
It might interest you to know that the Mercedes-Benz EQS is among the electric cars with extra high ceilings.
Go Back: Problems for all Mercedes models.
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ⓘ The information in this article is based on data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall reports, consumer complaints submitted to the NHTSA, reliability ratings from J.D. Power, auto review and rating sites such as Edmunds, specialist forums, etc. We analyzed this data to provide insights into the best and worst years for these vehicle models.