Mercedes Maybach EQS SUV road test review

Maybachs have always sat at the top of the Mercedes ladder, representing an even higher level of opulence and refinement. While earlier limited just to sedans, the Maybach brand now includes SUVs, a convertible, and even EVs, like the one you see here – the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV 680 Night Series.

Exterior Design

The Night-Series-exclusive two-tone black and Mojave Silver paint options

Over the ‘standard’ EQS SUV, the Maybach gets several design flourishes to make it stand out. Main among them are the ‘Maybach waterfall grille’ with pinstripes and loads of Maybach logos all over the car. This being the Night Series, it gets a stealthy dark treatment on the exterior, with dark chrome replacing all the chrome outside, including the three-pointed star on the bonnet, and a smoked effect for the headlights and the grille panel too. A cool detail is the rose-gold elements in the headlights, and this car is painted in a Night-Series-exclusive two-tone black and Mojave Silver paint job.

Around the sides, what immediately grabs your attention are the 21-inch alloys. While they fill out the arches well and give it a good stance, I’m not sold on the design, which features loads of Maybach logos; they’re tough to keep clean, too. Then, there are more Maybach logos on the B- and C-pillars, the side step and the tailgate. At the rear, not much is different on the Night Series, save for the dark chrome treatment on the badges and the skid plate element lower down. The EQS isn’t particularly handsome, nor does it have traditional SUV proportions, but it does have flash value, as you’d expect from a Maybach. It’s large, measuring more than 5 metres long and 2 metres wide, with a wheelbase of over 3 metres. The boot volume is 440 litres, though the fridge and the charging cables do eat into this space. There’s no frunk either, so airport runs will require some planning.

Like the exterior, the cabin is similar to the regular EQS SUV but has Maybach touches. The dashboard is dominated by the three-screen layout, which Mercedes calls Hyperscreen. The screens have Maybach Night Series-specific start-up graphics, with the instrument panel getting a deep blue Maybach theme too. The Hyperscreen is one of the best in the business, with slick responses, logically laid out sub-menus and fixed AC controls.

The Night Series also gets exclusive, all-black Nappa leather upholstery and open-pore walnut wood trim with a herringbone pattern, both of which do wonders to uplift the cabin’s ambience. And details like the quilted stitching, the metal AC vents and the configurable ambient lighting spread throughout give you the vibe of a high-end lounge. The steering wheel, too, is a quality item, trimmed in leather and featuring a wood rim along with the M logo.

And with this SUV being a born EV, its cabin is practical too, with a sizeable glove box, storage under the armrest and a large space below the centre console for larger items. The front seats are supremely comfortable and feature heating, ventilation and massaging functions. But, of course, the real Maybach magic is in the rear seats. 

Interior Design

The Maybach EQS SUV gets 15-speaker Burmester 4D sound system 

It’s pure opulence in the back seat of the Maybach. There’s no shortage of headroom or legroom, and the seats offer recliner-like comfort, while the suede pillows just up the comfort factor. This Night Series, however, is strictly a 4-seater thanks to the First Class Package, with the centre console housing the armrest under which are the fold-out tables, a wireless charger and charging/HDMI ports. Then, behind the wood panel between the seats, sits a detachable fridge to chill your drinks, and above that is a place for you to store your champagne flutes. And under the panel lower down in the centre console are the cup holders and some additional storage. 

Like up front, there are three screens here too, one 11.6-inch unit for each passenger on the seatbacks and one 7-inch unit in the armrest, all of which can control various functions of the car.

What really sets the Maybach apart, however, is the Chauffeur Package. At the touch of a button, the front passenger seat moves forward to liberate more legroom, the rear seat reclines all the way, and you get a leg rest, all of which allow you to travel in first-class levels of luxury. Like in the front, the rear seats get heating, ventilation and massage functions, including a calf massage. What elevates the rear-seat experience further is the large panoramic sunroof and the superb 15-speaker Burmester 4D sound system.

While on the topic, the Maybach EQS SUV is, of course, loaded to the gills with features and technology. Apart from all the aforementioned, it packs 4-zone auto climate control, a head-up display, a 360-degree parking camera, wireless phone chargers, auto LED lights, drive and regen braking modes, and much more. Another standout is the Comfort Door Package. Using this, your chauffeur can open or close all the doors via the screen, so you don’t have to get your hands dirty. This is all about luxury, after all. Meanwhile, the safety kit includes 11 airbags, a tyre-pressure monitoring system, ISOFIX child seat mounts and ADAS tech such as autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. 

Performance

It generates 658hp and 955Nm from its dual-motor and reaches 0-100kph in 4.34 seconds

On the move, what immediately stands out is the cabin’s refinement, as wind, road and motor noise is so well isolated that you can actually whisper to your passengers while driving. However, there is a bit of tyre noise that creeps in at higher speeds, but that depends on the road surface. Mercedes has done extensive work to manage the acoustics, and that adds up to provide complete calm inside.

As for the drive experience, it feels absolutely effortless. 658hp and 955Nm from its dual-motor setup means performance is plentiful, to say the least. We managed to clock a 0-100kph time of 4.34 seconds, which is seriously quick for something that weighs over 3 tonnes. Despite the performance on tap, the powertrain feels progressive, and you always have more than enough in reserve to make a quick overtake. There are also drive modes, which alter the response, so it feels the most docile in Eco mode in the interest of efficiency and the most energetic in Sport mode. What’s a downer in the mechanical package are the brakes, which lack bite and could definitely do with more stopping power.

The EQS also gets a unique Maybach programme in Comfort mode, which continuously adjusts damping to provide a supple and luxurious ride quality. However, the softness does result in some side-to-side movements, especially as speeds rise, but not to the point of it ever being uncomfortable. The ride in Sport mode actually provides a better balance, with a hint of firmness that helps in settling it down. Being a big luxury EV, the Maybach EQS is no corner carver, but it does feel reassuring around the bends. You can carry good speed around corners, and the rear-wheel steering also adds some agility. But where the rear-wheel steering really shines is in low-speed, city conditions, making parking and taking U-turns much easier. There’s also a lift function, which will increase ride height by about 25mm to ensure that you don’t scrape any speed breakers. 

The Maybach EQS gets a 122kWh battery pack (118kWh usable), which is said to provide it with a claimed range of 611km on the WLTP cycle. And we know from experience with our long-term EQS 450 that a 550km-plus real-world range is possible, enabling intra-city travel. As for charging, it can be topped up from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 31 minutes using a 200kW DC fast charger.

Final Verdict

At Rs 2.63 crore (ex-showroom), the Maybach EQS Night Series is expensive, especially when you consider that the standard EQS 450 SUV costs half as much. But it also costs Rs 76 lakh less than a Maybach GLS, and it manages to deliver an experience on par with, if not better than, that SUV.  

Some of the Maybach bling may not be to everyone’s taste, and it needs better brakes, but the Maybach EQS stands out for the ultra-luxurious and refined experience it creates. The rear seats pamper you like few others, and the EV is packed with tech and is enjoyable from behind the wheel too. It’s the culmination of Mercedes’ learnings from its previous Maybach and EQ offerings.