EpicQly S(UV)ilent Giant

2024 MERCEDE S-BENZ EQS SU V

- Roshan Sirohia

₹1.41 Crore (ex-showroom)

Despite EVs continuing to face a sales slide across the world, Mercedes-Benz in India has gone ahead and launched a made-inIndia 7-seater premium electric SUV that’s as big as a GLS. And if first impressions are to go with an attractive sticker price of Rs. 1.41 crore, it seems one of the strongest bets that may compel you to join the top-end ‘green’ luxury bandwagon.

The electric EQS SUV 580 4Matic seems to be Mercedes’ trump card to fight out not only the more successful selling EVs from BMW – the iX SUV, i7 sedan (5 seats), but even the likes of 3-row luxury SUVs – the X7, the Volvo XC90 as well as its stablemate and hugely popular GLS. Even the EQE SUV’s fate seems questionable now (a full import, currently running on discounts). Because at this price point of < Rs. 1.5 crore (on-road Mumbai), it challenges all the above competitors, with its massive range, addictive performance, a proper-ish third row of seats, and premium-ness within to match!

Taking its styling cues from the EQS saloon that’s sold in India, the SUV is effectively a jacked-up version of the high-end cruiser that makes it more practical and imposing for our cities. Its high roofline with lots of glass helps brighten up the cabin and a fullwidth lightbar across the back that isn’t the most exciting, differentiates it from the chunky GLS.

At launch, apart from the Maybach version launched earlier, a single fully loaded EQS 580 4Matic will be available with a 122kwh battery pack translating to a 500 km + range. A lot of kit on offer includes 9-inch screens for the 2nd row, wireless headphones, rear-wheel steering as well as up to 880 litre of boot space with the 3rd row folded flat. Quite convincing, right? Especially for an ultra-luxury EV?