Mercedes EQS vs Mercedes S-Class: Which luxury sedan would you buy?

Both cars are the best in their respective segments, both are flagships, yet both are completely different to drive & own.

Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4MATIC

Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4Matic Pros

• Futuristic-looking design & styling. An absolute head-turner
• Stunning, enjoyable performance! Blistering 0-100 km/h time of 4.3 seconds
• 850+ km claimed range (MIDC cycle), 677 km (WLTP) takes away range anxiety. An EV that can actually be used for your long highway road-trips
• Impressive manoeuvrability, handling and body control for its size and weight. 4-wheel steering works!
• Zero tailpipe emissions & green image will appeal to the environmentally-conscious
• Loaded to the gills with features, safety kit & technology. The interiors will “wow” you
• Competitive pricing. Road tax exemptions in many states make it a compelling proposition in the segment, against more conventional choices

Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4Matic Cons

• Interior quality is not quite up to S-Class levels. It’s more “E-Class” luxury than “S-Class” opulence
• Dismal ground clearance. Get ready to hear the sound of the floor scraping every medium-sized hump, even with the suspension height raised
• Strange brake pedal behaviour takes getting used to in intelligent / strong regen modes. Mushy brake pedal inspires no confidence during hard braking
• Rear seat experience is far from that of an S-Class, with lesser under-thigh support than even the E-Class. Rear headroom tight for tall passengers too
• Missing features such as a spare tyre (!!!), rear seat massage, augmented reality head-up display...
• Long “full tank” charging times in comparison with an ICE car. Overnight charging is best
• Tech and electronics take a whole lot of time to figure out, especially for the less tech-savvy. Not a car you just get into and start driving

Link to Review

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Pros

• The best luxury sedan on sale in India. Period
• Truly next-level technology, its visible everywhere!
• More driver-focused than previous generations; owners will be happy to drive themselves
• Cabin is incredibly opulent & comfy. It's quite the royal experience!
• Powerful & punchy engines on offer
• Marvelous air suspension offers a plush ride & excellent road manners
• Loaded to the gills with technology, equipment & gizmos
• 5-star safety kit & radar-based systems. Among the safest cars ever built

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cons

• IMO, it lost some of the classiness & charm as compared to the W222 (outside & inside)
• Pricing (even for CKDs) is going to be noticeably higher than the outgoing generation
• Cost of ownership is only for the 'money-no-object' personalities
• Technology overload and lack of buttons mean it's going to glitch out sometimes. Be prepared for it
• Many of the features we see on this launch edition will be removed in the CKDs
• Large 20" wheels with low profile tyres are easy to damage. R18 wheels will be better suited to India
• Usable boot space is limited (no wheel well for the spare tyre)
• Reliability concerns over the air suspension & the car’s very complex electronics

Link to Review

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

You know, this is one poll I really struggled with. Both cars are the best in their respective segments, both are flagships, yet both are completely different to drive & own.

I am a diehard fan of the S-Class franchise, but I am quite surprised to find myself voting for the EQS! I drive myself only (S-Class better for chauffeur-driven usage); not only is the EQS faster, but it's also got better grip levels and handles flatter. The EQS actually more fun to drive than the S-Class. That fake exhaust sound tuning through the speakers is just spot on and adds to the driving pleasure. With the EQS, I can charge at home, the maintenance will hopefully be lesser and there are undeniable bragging rights to owning one of the best electric cars in the world by one of the best luxury brands. That being said, I'd buy the EQS in 2024 or 2025. The early cars will have a ton of electronic niggles as this is v1 of the EQS, and Mercedes really doesn't have the EV experience of say, someone like Tesla.

Another reason I voted for the EQS is that I don't like the W223 all that much. I mean, of course, I "like" it and it's a splendid machine, but you know what I really "LOVE"? The W222. Now, this I would pick over the EQS, especially in S500 guise:

Here's what BHPian Sahil had to say on the matter:

It's an easy vote for me, the S-class wins.

The S badge stands for pure luxury and the back seat is also a major part of this, especially in India. If my criteria was sportiness then I would rather spend similar money on an E63S.

Even in the pure aesthetic department, the EQS just doesn't cut it. Does not even have half the charisma of the regular S. Leaving aside the hyper screens which is a huge plus on the EQS.

Someone I know bought the EQS in London over the S and sold it within just a few months as he just wasn't happy with the overall experience in comparison to the S.

Now if MB would take the regular S and plonk in a full EV setup, I would vote that over the ICE S-class any day.

Here's what BHPian GForceEnjoyer had to say on the matter:

I voted for the S-Class. If I'm spending that kind of money on a car, I'd have lots of expectations. Firstly, the design. I'm a fan of long hoods, overall proportionate bodies and axle-to-dash. The EQS's design just doesn't sit right with me whatsoever.

While I'm sure it handles better, I personally wouldn't buy a limousine to carve corners in (a tastefully modified Mazda Miata or something like a Toyota Supra/BMW Z4 will do better). I'd buy one to waft along in utmost luxury, undisturbed by the hustle and bustle of the outside world, surrounded by creature comforts. From what I've read in reviews, the S-Class outclasses (pun intended!) the EQS in terms of ride quality. The rear seat (especially of the long wheelbase version) obviously needs no introduction with regard to space and comfort.

And, this is a matter of preference, I imagine that for the rare times I'll take the wheel myself, I'd want a pleasing and elegant dashboard design to look at (read, no screen covering the entire width of the dashboard). While the new S-Class does have a screen I'd call too big, the rest of the interior is absolutely beautiful and one I wouldn't mind spending all day in.

Last but not least, I'm sure the snob value of the S-Class badge would probably be a massive draw (personally, not really). That's something that the EQS still has a long time left to be able to garner.

Echoing BHPian Sahil above, what I would be willing to buy would be the S-Class with the EQS powertrain and its refinement.

Here's what BHPian vb-san had to say on the matter:

This is an interesting poll, and if the selection is between S-Class and the rivals in the segment, the S would have been the obvious choice. But in this case, my vote goes for the EQS. As I mentioned in the EQS review thread, for me it is the driver’s S-Class. Compared to the S, the EQS may slightly lack rear-seat finesse, but it feels like an incredibly easy car to drive. The blistering acceleration, especially that sports mode, all adds up to the experience. Like GTO mentioned above, it could be an even better deal 2-3 years down the lane, with a mid-life facelift.

Here's what BHPian MCR had to say on the matter:

Voted for EQS.

It's a car class apart even when compared to an S-Class. Recently drove an EQS in Germany and was blown away by the experience.

I would say its a "Boxer in a Tuxedo".

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.