Luxury Cars

Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV review: A new era of electric luxury

While some supercar enthusiasts might lament the incoming electric revolution, the technology is proving to be perfectly suited to those vehicles at the upper echelon of luxury, particularly when it comes to eliciting a feeling of serenity, ease and comfort. The first player in this category, Rolls-Royce, exemplified this with its EV coupe, Spectre. However, it now has some stiff competition, as the Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 enters the fray to become the first and only ultra-luxurious pure- electric SUV from a legacy maker.

At the heart of the 4Matic all-wheel-drive (and off-roadable) EQS 680 is a honey of an advanced electric powertrain, with instant torque and power delivery fed via two synchronous e-motors on each axle. For the number crunchers reading this, it has a total output of 484kW/950Nm, 0-100km/h sprint of 4.4 seconds, top speed of 210km/h, 662km of range, and a 10-80 per cent fast-charging time of 31 minutes. Behind the wheel, the EQS is a cruiser, with a lovely ride and near-silent cabin attenuation, and despite its power delivery, it doesn’t beg to be wrung at speed or frustrate you in traffic – a true marker vehicle designed to be driven in.

Some of the critiques that have emerged since the EQS 680’s launch have been directed at its looks, which is a fair assessment. As the name suggests, the SUV cuts a figure much like the Mercedes-Benz EQS it’s based on. Being a large SUV, it doesn’t quite evoke the opulent town-car image that ‘Maybach’ conjures. However, the markers of prestige are certainly not hidden away.

Mercedes’ luxury-arm engineers, designers, stylists and product geniuses have seemingly left no detail unturned. On the exterior, the legendary three-point star stands proudly on the bonnet (yes, trophies still exist in the EV world). The front end has a futuristic waterfall-like effect that closes off the grille, and the boxes that would normally be air intakes on either side are curiously embellished with a repeat Maybach logo design. Naturally, the iconic Maybach logo is found elsewhere on the car as a dead giveaway, including on the C-pillar and tread plates.

As with all cars in this category, it’s what’s inside that counts – and there’s a lot going on here, technology-wise. According to Mercedes-Maybach, its engineers and product developers have placed a sharp focus on rear passenger comfort to create a ‘self-contained, feel-good atmosphere for all the senses’. It’s been executed with aplomb, because every sense – sound, sight, touch, and with an included fragrance as part of the air purification system, even smell – has been considered beyond expectation.

Audiophiles will adore the 15-speaker Burmester 4D surround-sound, with Dolby Atmos and immersive audio experience. This is a finely engineered, high-clarity and wide-depth system that replicates an in-studio experience. The 4D immersive element takes it one step further, where exciters are placed in the seats and occupants can feel the audio content; not unlike some of the technologies that have emerged for the hearing impaired. It’s fantastic – and also means you don’t need to turn the volume up to 11 to enjoy the depth and emotion of your favourite tunes.

Our car was optioned with the First Class Rear Suite, two sublimely soft armchairs (with monogrammed throw cushions, no less) that cosset the passengers, Maybach-specific massage settings, temperature- controlled cupholders, a refrigerated compartment, rear screens for media viewing, and storage for champagne flutes. In the front, the new customisable MBUX Hyperscreen system extends across the dashboard, joining three high-resolution digital screens – which isn’t as distracting or overwhelming as that might sound. One little pleasant party trick we came to enjoy is the ambient settings and themes and the sounds that play upon exiting the vehicle – an announcement you’ve arrived, so to speak.

To be fair, there is far more to this exceptional EV than we have page space. But rest assured, the Maybach team has considered every detail, down to the finish, feel, connectivity, sustainability and price. Rolls-Royce and Bentley should be worried by the path Mercedes-Maybach is paving for itself in this space, as the legacy marque means serious business.

Visit Mercedes-Benz for more information.

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