A new challenger in the executive electric car segment has appeared: the ultra-luxe Mercedes EQS. The model comes in two powertrains, the rear-wheel-drive EQS 450+ Sedan and the higher-end EQS 580 4MATIC Sedan. It is currently the first dedicated electric car in the Mercedes-Benz
lineup, but the brand promises that there is more to come. According to Mercedes, the EQS is modeled after the S-Class flagship but has its own unique shape and concept.
While the luxury electric car segment is still growing, there are a few already established competitors that Mercedes-Benz will have to contend with, namely Tesla. So how does the EQS stack up against the competition? Read on below to see how the EQS compares with the popular and sporty Tesla Model Y
. Mercedes EQS vs Tesla Model Y: Power and performance
For comparison purposes, we will be looking at the 450+ Sedan trim. The Mercedes EQS 450+ Sedan has an MSRP starting at $102,310. The single electric motor provides 329 hp and 417 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to accelerate from zero to sixty in just 5.9 seconds.
Both versions of the EQS have a 108-kilowatt-hour battery pack and EPA-estimated ranges of 350 miles and a top speed of 130 mph. Charging the EQS from a 10-percent charge to fully charged using a 240-volt Level 2 charger takes 11 hours and 15 minutes while going from a 10-percent charge to an 80-percent charge using a DC fast charger takes just over 30 minutes.
The Tesla Model Y, the SUV version of the Model 3, has a starting MSRP of $62,990 - $67,990. It goes from zero to sixty mph in just 4.7 seconds with an EPA-rated 326-mile driving range. The battery takes 10 hours to recharge on a 240-volt connector.
MORE: Mercedes-Benz Is Going Full Electric With EQS
Mercedes EQS vs Tesla Model Y: comfort and entertainment
The EQS sports a massive MBUX infotainment system that uses three total screens and an optional 56-inch touch screen. It also comes equipped with all of the latest technology and safety features
including automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot warning (BSW), and rear cross traffic warning (RCTW). According to a road test report from Consumer Reports
, the interior of the car is made for comfort and customization, with incredible attention to detail in almost every aspect of the ride. Drivers can choose from 64 different configurations of ambient interior lighting, several propulsion soundtracks, nature sounds with corresponding fragrances, and even heated, massaging seats.
Unlike the high-tech cabin of the EQS with all its bells and whistles, the interior of the Model Y is rather uncluttered and minimalist with just one 15-inch touchscreen. While this gives it a simplistic, futuristic look, navigating the onboard tech can also be somewhat tedious.
It is also not compatible with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
The Tesla Model Y is more practical, but the Mercedes EQS is more luxurious
Both the EQS and Model Y come standard with a basic bumper-to-bumper four-year/50,000-mile warranty, but the reliability of the EQS has yet to be reported.
Overall, the EQS seems poised to offer a much more premium ride than the Model Y, but at $40,000 more, you get what you pay for. So if you’re a budget-conscious shopper, opt for the Model Y. However, if you want all the luxurious trimmings, go for the EQS.
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