Gridly
Overview
The Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 occupies the apex of the luxury EV market in Australia: a flagship sedan built from the ground up as an electric vehicle, with no compromises made to accommodate a combustion drivetrain. The result is an interior environment - and an exterior form - unlike any Mercedes that preceded it.
664km of WLTP range from a 108kWh battery with AWD provides abundant confidence for Australia’s long inter-city routes. The Cd 0.20 drag coefficient - among the lowest for a production car at launch - is a direct contributor to this efficiency result. At 110 km/h with climate control, real-world range of 540-590km is achievable - enough for Sydney to Melbourne with a brief top-up, or Adelaide to Melbourne non-stop in ideal conditions.
The Hyperscreen - a single curved OLED panel spanning 141cm across the dashboard - represents the most ambitious in-car display engineering in production vehicles today. Three displays are embedded in a single curved glass surface: the instrument cluster, the central MBUX infotainment, and the front-passenger entertainment display. Sitting inside the EQS is an experience that has no equivalent in any other vehicle currently sold in Australia.
Air Body Control suspension with road surface camera scanning anticipates imperfections and pre-adjusts each corner before the wheel encounters them. The result redefines what road noise and body movement can mean in a production vehicle - the EQS glides over surfaces that would disturb even other premium German sedans.
Pricing & Variants
| Variant | Battery | Range | Drive | DC Charging | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EQS 450 | 108kWh | 664km WLTP | AWD | 200kW | ~$219,900 |
| AMG EQS 53 | 108kWh | 587km WLTP | AWD | 200kW | ~$327,000 |
The EQS 450 is the standard-output version of the EQS flagship platform. The AMG EQS 53 adds AMG performance engineering at a substantial premium. For buyers who want the EQS experience without the AMG performance focus, the 450 is the appropriate choice.
Performance
The EQS 450 uses an AWD dual-motor configuration. 0-100 km/h takes approximately 5.6 seconds - brisk for a car of this size and luxury positioning. Top speed is 210 km/h. The AWD provides confident all-weather traction; the EQS is not a driver’s car in the Porsche Taycan sense, but its straight-line performance is thoroughly contemporary.
Air Body Control’s road-scanning capability transforms the driving experience. The car arrives at each road irregularity pre-adjusted, creating a floating sensation over roads that would disturb any other vehicle. This is the defining performance characteristic of the EQS - not acceleration, but the quality of isolation it provides.
Range and Charging
- WLTP range: 664km
- Real-world estimate: 540-590km at highway/mixed driving
- DC charging: 200kW (CCS)
- AC charging: 11kW (Type 2)
- 10-80% at 200kW DC: approximately 31-35 minutes
- Full charge at 11kW AC: approximately 11 hours
The 664km WLTP range at 108kWh is exceptional. For Australian long-distance touring, it covers Sydney-Canberra (290km) without a thought, and Sydney-Melbourne (878km) with one moderate charging stop. The 200kW DC charging is capable - 10-80% in approximately 32 minutes - though the Porsche Taycan Turbo charges at 320kW at a higher cost. For EQS buyers, overnight charging at home or at a hotel resets the battery for the following day without the need to visit a public charger at all.
Interior and Technology
The Hyperscreen is the EQS’s defining interior feature: three OLED panels in a single 141cm curved glass surface spanning the full dashboard. The passenger display enables front-seat entertainment independently of the driver’s navigation. MBUX Voice Assistant recognises natural language commands without training words. The system integrates navigation, entertainment, HVAC, driving modes, and a host of personalisation options in a coherent, if complex, interface.
Material quality is S-Class-level throughout: Nappa leather, 64-colour ambient lighting with 255 individual LEDs, optional Burmester High-End 3D Surround Sound (15 speakers, 710W), optional Dolby Atmos spatial audio, and genuine wood or aluminium trim options. The acoustic insulation is exceptional - the EQS is among the quietest production cars in the world at highway speeds.
Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto are standard alongside the MBUX system.
Practicality
Five seats in a large limousine-proportion sedan. Boot capacity is 610 litres - genuinely spacious. No towing is rated. V2L is not available. The EQS’s rear seat is the car’s second defining space: generous legroom, reclining seatbacks, and optional rear entertainment screens make the EQS a genuinely compelling chauffeur or self-driven long-distance vehicle.
Safety
Five-star NCAP. Mercedes PRE-SAFE Plus and PRE-SAFE Impulse Side: Active Brake Assist with pedestrian, cyclist, and intersection detection; Lane Keeping Assist; Active Lane Change Assist; Active Blind Spot Assist; Evasive Steering Assist; Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC with route-based speed adaptation; Active Parking Assist. The EQS’s safety package is the most comprehensive in the Mercedes lineup.
Running Costs and Ownership
- Energy cost: (108 ÷ 664) × 100 × $0.30 = $4.88/100km at $0.30/kWh
- Warranty: 4 years (confirm current Mercedes EV terms)
- Dealer network: Mercedes-Benz Australia’s national network with dedicated EQ support
The comparison to a comparable petrol S-Class (approximately $15-18/100km in fuel alone) makes the EQS 450’s running cost argument compelling for high-mileage business use. The 4-year warranty is shorter than some competitors; confirm battery warranty terms and extended service packages with Mercedes-Benz Australia.
Verdict
The EQS 450 is the definitive luxury EV - a car that uses the electric drivetrain’s packaging freedom to create an interior environment and ride quality that is impossible in any combustion-engined equivalent. 664km of range resolves charge anxiety completely for all but the most extreme Australian driving scenarios. The 200kW DC charging, while slower than a Porsche Taycan, is entirely adequate for buyers who recharge overnight. The Hyperscreen cabin is the most technologically impressive interior in any production vehicle currently sold in Australia.
For buyers at this price point, the EQS 450 is the most complete expression of what electric vehicles can achieve today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the EQS 450 compare to the Porsche Taycan?
The Porsche Taycan ($175,100+) offers 320kW DC charging - significantly faster than the EQS’s 200kW - and a more driver-focused dynamic character. The EQS 450 ($219,900) counters with longer range (664km vs ~590km), the Hyperscreen interior, the Air Body Control ride quality, and S-Class-level luxury. For buyers who prioritise driving engagement and charging speed, the Taycan is the answer. For those who prioritise interior luxury, range, and isolation quality, the EQS is unmatched.
Is the EQS 450 available with a sunroof?
Yes - a panoramic sunroof is available as an option on the EQS 450. The large glass area complements the Hyperscreen’s cabin environment and is a popular addition. Confirm current Australian option availability with your Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What is the real-world range of the EQS 450 on Australian highways?
At 110 km/h with climate control running, expect approximately 540-590km of real-world range from the 108kWh battery. At lower speeds or in urban driving with significant regenerative recovery, range improves toward the WLTP figure. Sustained high-speed driving (130 km/h+) will reduce range to approximately 480-520km. The EQS is best driven at 100-110 km/h for maximum range on long-distance Australian trips.
