I think maybe the wheel package made a difference.
The EQS drives like a cloud, very comfortable with typical MB soft inputs for steering, braking etc.

To me it handled the bumps and road imperfections much better than W222 my father has which has a stiffer ride. EQS is more floaty like LS.

If it had classic MB styling, EQS would be a winner.
Also not a fan of the whole hatchback feature/design.

To me interior styling and materials were on Sclass level and definitely well above Eclass. I was pretty impressed by interior. I also think its a decent value not over inflated like some other luxury EVs. Its a good alternative to Model S for someone that wants traditional luxury but EV powertrain.

 

I'm actually a really objective guy. All of the things I found in the interior and my viewpoints are 100% factual and are not guided by a lack of objectivity. Its obvious I don't like the car, but I would really like to like it. I just don't care for a lot of the design elements of the car, doesn't make them bad, but the deficiencies/differences in interior quality inside are factual and surprised me. You're free to go find one to sample and write your own review of that experience.

Not sure where I said this wasn't/wouldn't be the case. The lifecycle of the S Class is more like 6-7 years, but I do believe there will be another generation of the S Class, whether the S Class and the EQS morph into a new vehicle, but having seen and sat in this vehicle in person, I do not believe Mercedes intends this vehicle to be a replacement for the S Class. I think the EQ line in a testbed for their EV future, and they will see how people react to it and refine it and then the next S Class chassis will be all EV but retain the look, feel and grandeur of what an S Class always has been to the brand.

There are design elements of the W223 I don't care for either, and I legitimately do prefer the interior of mine, but theres no question its an S Class...it has all the quality, stateliness, space, etc.

The guys at the dealer are really excited about the new EVs BTW, even my service guy who happened to walk up with another customer who wanted to see it. I was impressed by how well trained they all were on the car...I continue to really be impressed by the quality of service there.

 

Thats very possible, wheels have a big impact on the S Class too. This was another post from a different owner who has both:

I agree...

I don't agree there. There are numerous areas where the base materials are much more similar to the E Class. You do have real metal trim, etc like you do in the S vs the E.

 

Does the EQS still look like a Honda Civic in person?

 

It looks awkward like a stretched out civic/prius.
Definitely better in black.

 

Yeah, but the size helps with that.

Just got back in the car after spending 30 minutes in a Lucid Air. I will post a thread when I get home. Short story, just obliterates the EQS. I wouldn’t even drive one over a Lucid Air. First time I’ve sat in an EV I was really excited about.

 

Ugh, the Civic actually looks a lot better, lol.

 

Drove one at Bethesda almost a month ago. Interior definitely not quite S-Class caliber, but still solidly in the upper level Mercedes camp and nicer materials and finish than anything you'll find from Tesla. top spec Lucids are pretty compelling, but are also priced higher than the EQS. I think the EQS is well-priced and quite competitive, until you get the horrendous dealer markups, but don't want to derail the thread on that particular element.

A friend of mine just got a EQS450 as they await their 580, so will see how they like their experience.

 

The markups are a reality though at least for right now.

The interior I would say it’s an upper trim E Class for sure, which is very nice for sure.

 

Perhaps an SQS at the $175k mark will be coming? EQS just strikes me as an E-Class tier car from everything I've seen and what you have confirmed. Even the name doesn't have an S to lead off with

 

I think whats more likely is that the next S Class and the next EQS will be a melding of both into a vehicle that carries on the attributes of both sold as the S Class. Both models are starting their model runs at about the same time, and the W223 is almost certainly the last ICE S Class.

Like the GLS is not a peer to the S Class, the chassis comes from the GLE and most of the interior is shared and is clearly below the S Class. The "S" denotes the top of that range (the GL SUV range and the EQ EV range) but not that its a peer to the S Class.

 

S Class isn't going anywhere.

 

MB is still bringing out new ICE models such as new Sclass, SL, new AMG-GT is on the way. These will probably be the last of the V8s. Unfortunately the sound on most of these has been neutered.

Too bad they messed up on the EQS styling otherwise that car is a good first EV effort, all they had to do is make it look like an Sclass.

 

But they have stopped all new ICE development and have said that this generation of ICE engines will be the last ones they develop.

 

When they say "this generation", I'm assuming they mean for 5 more years. I've haven't read anything on this, so correct me if I'm wrong