Launched in Malaysia in July this year, the Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ is priced at RM698,888 on-the-road without insurance including incentives in the form of import and excise duty exemptions which are waived for electric vehicles in Malaysia.
Here, the EQS 450+ is the sole variant currently available for the German marque’s flagship EV in the country, and brings a lithium-ion battery rated at 107.8 kWh of usable battery capacity, or 120 kWh gross capacity.
This can be recharged via AC via a Type 2 connection at up to 11 kW that brings a 10-100% state of charge in 10 hours, or with DC fast charging via a CCS2 connection at up to 200 kW, with which the EQS can be recharged from 10-80% state of charge in 31 minutes.
With a WLTP-rated energy consumption as low as 15.7 kWh per 100 km, the EQS does a maximum range of 782 km on a single charge. Motive power is by a single, water-cooled drive motor for the rear wheels that produces 333 PS and 565 Nm of torque, enabling the 2.48-tonne EV to achieve the 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 210 km/h.
Inside, the EQS is just as distinctive as its exterior, with an interior that features the MBUX Hyperscreen display that consists of three separate displays across its 141 cm width. The instrument cluster measures 12.3 inches across, as does the OLED touchscreen for the front passenger, while the starring central OLED touchscreen is an even larger 17.7 inches. Even more visual flair comes with 64-colour ambient lighting.
Mobile device integration comes courtesy of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as part of the MBUX setup that comes with a range of Mercedes me connect services, OTA update support, augmented reality for navigation and more. There’s a fingerprint scanner for the driver to log their profile, too.
Infotainment is augmented on the audio front by a Burmester High End 3D surround sound system, while the rear passengers get a dedicated MBUX High-End Rear Seat Entertainment System which includes two wireless headsets.
The luxury of abundance extends to the safety equipment list as well, which on the EQS includes Driving Assistance Plus Package (with AEB), Active Distance Assist Distronic (adaptive cruise control), Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Steering Assist (semi-autonomous driving), Pre-Safe (with impulse side support), evasive manoeuvre support, Active Parking Assist, Parking Package with 360-degree camera and Urban Guard vehicle protection.
Is this the best fully electric vehicle on sale right now? The Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ is certainly a strong contender, though it isn’t perfect; watch the video review here as our man Hafriz Shah explores the German manufacturer’s fully electric flagship on video, here.
GALLERY: 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ AMG Line
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My dream car.
Short answer is NO… as Tesla
still leading in battery tech
Not just Tesla, from South Korea and China as well, leading in battery tech.
Merc uses battery from CATL (China) which comes close-2nd to Tesla in terms of latest battery tech as of now. In case your wondering, CATL does supply to Hyundai/Kia and many others too
Tesla is currently working with Japanese company Panasonic, its longtime partner, and South Korea’s LG Energy Solutions, the second largest battery supplier in the world. Chinese CATL, or Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited, is a Tesla supplier too.
It’s ‘the best EV’, not ‘the best battery’. Having the best battery doesn’t make an EV the best. If you electrified a Reliant Robin with a Tesla powertrain would that make it the best EV? Tesla still has quality control issues to contend with. What use is having the greatest range and the best temperature management if the batteries may stop trickle charging, the car may have leaking doors and cargo hatch, have wipers that aren’t mounted properly, have squeaky steering wheel, or even something so ridiculously simple like not wiring in a switch. Tesla’s quality issues are trivial, but they persist. Most hyped and popular sure, but the best? Hardly. They’re not even the most efficient EVs
On a technical level this Mercedes is considered one of the best. Expensive, but on a technical level it does a lot of things right. And no crazy performance claims for the sake of marketing. It’s a good EV because mainly it’s a good car, regardless of its powertrain.
The best “affordable” EV could be IMO the Hyundai Kona EV. It’s got all you want for a reasonable price. I was going to say the Ora Good Cat but it is – I know this is odd – a small car that is too big. The Kona EV has a good range no matter the battery size, clever compromises that aren’t bothersome, not too big to park, not too small that it isn’t practical, and adequately powerful.
If you’re a fan of Merc then YES, otherwise NO.
Looks sleek for a ghey car. Could make straight people bi-curious
Best EV Car on sale For rm699k? Is this not a joke?
Best, not cheapest.
However is it really the best is still up to debate…
the 2nd row sofa is a total let down.
ackwardly straight sitting position.
Same money. Better buy Taycan GTS
i7 looks more better. Electric Audi also looks better than this
by next year, can C RM$1million EV Audi/BMW/Mercedes on the road
Petrol still cheap here…No need EV
BMW i8 look better.
Not quite in terms of luxury. The S class is still the benchmark. Maybe it’s next generation might be a better contender
Chinese complain Merz EV like hell
Such a shame to see the excise duty exemption benefiting the ultra rich. Gov shouldn’t placed a price ceiling for cars for which this exemption applies.
Should’ve *
ignore the badge and it will look like some cheap china car from the 90s
Best I couldn’t comment on having never driven one, it’s certainly the ugliest car on sale in Malaysia right now though
I think the best EV now is electric bicycle from China. It is proven to be reliable. Battery rosak after 2 years, just get another and you can continue to ride.
No service, no maintenance and worry free.
oh, you can also buy extra battery to charge and swap it on the go when needed.
So, no recharge station needed too.