Similar look, but new architecture, better range and a steering yoke: Meet the new Mercedes EQS!
While it’s been around for nearly six years now, Mercedes-Benz continues the occasional updates for its flagship electric EQS sedan as we roll through 2026. It may look pretty similar to what came before (how about that front end, huh?), but there are quite a few notable changes worth talking about, and one you can see right off the bat as soon as you check out the interior. The EQS450+, EQS500 4Matic and EQS580 4Matic are going to round out the latest EQS’ model stack, and will arrive in the second half of 2026.
Oh yes, we’re going to talk about it, but let’s cover some of the other changes coming to the 2027 Mercedes-Benz EQS lineup first. While I say the car looks similar to what came previously, the front fascia gets an updated faux grille and headlight setup with the prominent three-pointed star running lights, as well as a couple offset bulges on the hood, flanking the hood ornament that’s an S-Class staple, be it gas or electric.
The updated EQS also gets a new 800-volt electrical architecture, new electric drive units, a two-speed transmission on the rear drive unit, a larger battery and new cell chemistry. The upshot is DC fast-charging capability up to 350 kW (up from 200 kW on the old EQS cars), as well as a Mercedes-claimed 575 miles of driving range. Keep in mind, though, that the range figure uses the more optimistic WLTP cycle, so the EPA estimate from the car’s 122-kWh battery pack is probably around 425 miles (from the outgoing 450+ model’s 390-ish miles).
Mercedes doesn’t mention any power differences for the EQS range, despite the new drive units. Previously, the single-motor EQS450+ managed 355 horsepower, while the EQS580 bumped things up to 536 hp. The automaker is focusing more on efficiency in this announcement, from its 0.20 drag coefficient (better than anything else currently on the road) to its 385 kW of energy recuperating capability. That’s far stronger than the previous EQS, and enough so that most decelerating puts energy back into the battery, while slowing the car to the point that you’ll hardly need to use the normal friction brakes, and they’ll always add extra stopping force if you do wind up needing them.
But what about that yoke?
Of course, the interior of the 2027 Mercedes-Benz EQS is the main focus here. You still get a three-display MBUX Hyperscreen, while the latest MB.OS operating system incorporates Microsoft-powered AI “among other AI agents” into the experience. Airmatic air suspension and a host of driving assistance features backed up by 10 external cameras, five radar sensors and 12 ultrasonic sensors also come as part of the standard EQS package. Car-to-X communication technology also allows the EQS to pick up information on what’s happening with the road ahead, so the car can adjust the suspension damping to suit a more comfortable, compliant ride.
Then there’s the steering yoke. It’s a feature we’ve seen on EVs from the Lexus RZ to the Tesla Model S and Cybertruck in recent years. Mercedes notes the steer-by-wire system provides variable, speed-dependent steering capability, through 170 degrees of actual turning from “lock-to-lock”. Since you’re only going through about half a turn of actual steering lock, you ideally wouldn’t have to take your hand off the wheel. Apart from the odd shape, the yoke is also loaded with Mercedes’ standard range of media control and driving assist buttons.
It’s a controversial feature, to be sure, but if you don’t like the steering yoke setup, you also don’t have to have it. It will be a standard option (Mercedes read the room on that one), and the yoke’s availability is a nod to the EQS’ eventual advanced (Level 4) automated driving capability. The automaker debuted a new S-Class built on Nvidia’s Drive AV architecture, which promises this sort of hands-free capability by the end of the decade.
How much will the new EQS cost?
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz EQS lineup will go on sale later on this year, though we don’t have exact pricing information yet. The outgoing EQS started at $101,250 for the EQS450+. At the top end, the EQS580 came in at $125,250. This new model will probably come in a bit pricier than that — it’s just the way things go most of the time — though it hopefully won’t get a huge price hike this time around.
