2027 Mercedes EQS Debuts With 575-Mile Range, Yoke Steering, and Bold New Grille

At the beginning of the year, the 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was revealed, and it’s an elegant combustion-powered machine with brilliant tech. While an all-electric S-Class is eventually coming to replace the egg-shaped EV that failed to capture the hearts of buyers, Mercedes is keeping the EQS name alive for the time being, and for 2027, it’s even more technologically advanced than ever.

Sadly, it’s also weirder than ever, gaining a yoke that looks like an afterthought in the midst of the Hyperscreen’s cluster and the binnacle it sits behind. The styling of the whole car also remains odd, and perhaps more so than before. Both of these complaints are the result of using existing bodywork and interior bits, but don’t let these problems put you off because this is a more impressive EV than before. We’ll get to that momentarily, but first, we can’t ignore the design.

2027 Mercedes-Benz EQS Looks Odd

Sadly, while the stylists have tried to make the EQS seem more like a traditional Merc from a cosmetics standpoint, they haven’t tried very hard. Where the first EQS had a fake grille leading from its headlights into the area above the lower intake, the latest one has arguably made the luxury EV look worse and less resolved, with the fake grille appearing as if it were stuck on at the last moment. And the star atop the hood is illuminated. The jury is still out on whether this looks tacky or not, but when BMW uses so-called “Iconic Glow” outlines to define fake grilles, the decision to make the star light up was always going to be made. An AMG Line version is optional, deleting the chrome slats and adding a large center star.

The “DIGITAL LIGHT” headlights (with more illumination and efficiency than before and the introduction of the partial high beam function for the first time for U.S.-spec EQS EVs) have gained three-pointed star-shaped daytime running lights to make them look more like other new Mercs, but the taillights have not. The DRLs here are squiggles as before, but now the squiggles extend deeper into the middle taillight bar, making them look more like a handwritten signature. Fake vents lower down and a finned false diffuser further below are more pronounced, but overall, only the most obsessive will be able to tell the difference between this 2027 EQS and its predecessor. However, there are plenty of new elements elsewhere.

2027 Mercedes EQS Goes Much Further Than Before

On the WLTP cycle (which is more forgiving than the EPA testing here in America), the old EQS 580 could do up to 770 kilometers on a charge, or a little more than 478 miles, but with a new 800-volt architecture that includes a larger battery with improved cell chemistry (including less cobalt), the EQS 450+ manages a remarkable 925 km, or roughly 575 miles. When it’s time to replenish the battery, DC fast charging at up to 350 kW provides 320 km/199 miles of range in as little as 10 minutes by effectively charging two halves of the battery at once. The EQS also has new drive units developed by Mercedes’ own engineers, with a two-speed transmission (first gear for accelerating from rest, second gear with a single planetary gear set for efficient driving) on the main drive unit at the rear axle, and when coasting, the EV can manage up to 385 kW of recuperation.

The 2027 EQS should be more comfortable than before. A Rolls-Royce scans the road ahead to prepare the suspension for bumps, and the new EQS does something similar, but using patent-pending tech to harness anonymized cloud-based data from other MB vehicles for predictive damper regulation. The fanciest electric Merc still has plenty of sensors to keep occupants safe—10 external cameras, five radar sensors, and 12 ultrasonic sensors for a total of 27 sensors—and with a top speed of 130 mph, it’ll cross continents quickly.

Innovative Steering for 2027 EQS, Still Plenty of Screens

For the first time on a series production German car, the 2027 EQS is available with steer-by-wire, something made famous by the Tesla Cybertruck and the Lexus RZ. This will require less input at low speeds than conventional systems and, in combination with standard rear-axle steering, three-pointed turns will be almost effortless for the three-pointed star, and automatic parking (and leaving of a parking space) is possible. The car can also reverse along a previously traveled route, which the driver can watch through the reverse camera. To ensure this steering system is safe, Mercedes’ system has redundant architecture, allowing the car to still be directed even if one system fails. Because of steer-by-wire, the new yoke makes more sense, but given the shape of the dashboard, this input device looks a little out of place.

Speaking of the dash, the 55-inch setup (12.3-inch driver display, 17.7-inch center screen, 12.3-inch passenger display) is said to be more intuitive to use and, with the Mercedes-Benz Operating System, AI from multiple agents is at the tip of your finger or a voice command away. Various customizable themes are possible, of course, and the car can stream video from Disney+, YouTube, Sony RIDEVU, and other platforms. Another neat addition is that of heated seatbelts, first seen with the Experimental Safety Vehicle 2019 concept, while the rear belts get soft beltbags to reduce the chance of injury from the restraints during a major front-end collision. The rear occupants also get their own screens, with a pair of 13.1-inch displays and configurable remote controls, and thanks to integrated HD cameras, these can be used for video calls. A 15-speaker Burmester audio setup with 710 watts of power and Dolby Atmos provides a rich listening experience.

Pricing is yet to be announced, but when the new EQS reaches dealers in the second half of this year, the MANUFAKTUR Made to Measure program will allow almost endless customization, while those who’d rather choose from a menu can take advantage of the new Black Sparkling paint finish with glass flakes or the new Verde Silver Magno, a matte green. Inside, Natural Grain Poplar Wood in black is a new option, and the door panels get decorative stitching with the Exclusive Nappa Leather Package. So while this may not look like a traditional S-Class, it’ll be as close as any EV could hope.