Verdict
– Vancouver Island, Canada
The tiny city of Tofino on the north finish of Vancouver Island is house to simply 2,500 folks and is greatest accessible by seaplane. Its largest declare to fame is that they filmed a Twilight film right here, the second. However the picturesque landscapes of Pacific Rim Nationwide Park and the beautiful rocky coasts additionally make it a hotspot for yuppies seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of town.
At the very least future Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV homeowners who invade the island can take solace in the truth that their ostentatious SUVs will not smash the air high quality for the pure wildlife. As the primary all-electric Maybach, the EQS has all the ability, poise, and class you anticipate of the double-M model, however with out the nasty emissions.
Posh Energy
In true Maybach trend of gussying up each Benz, the EQS’ controversial exterior will get an uptick in refinement that makes a few of its in any other case uncouth traces a bit simpler to tolerate. A 3-pointed star decoration (uncommon nowadays) sits atop the clamshell hood, vertical pin striping adorns the fake grille, and hidden Maybach logos within the headlight housings lend an additional air of class to the entrance fascia. Designers even went as far as to use the Maybach-specific font to all the outside badges.
Much less delicate is the 950 or so – I counted – double-M logos that litter the outside of the Night time Sequence mannequin. The fake vents, wheels, C-pillar, and so on. It is largely non-compulsory, fortunately, and I opted for a extra conventional two-tone, blue-and-silver search for this take a look at with traditional monoblock wheels – the perfect spec of the bunch.
A 107.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack powers two motors, the identical right here as on the top-end EQS Benz, however an additional jolt offers the Maybach 649 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque. That is a fairly important enchancment of 113 hp and 67 lb-ft over the EQS 580 SUV.
Maybach hasn’t introduced vary figures but, however the readout on the gauge cluster reveals 494 kilometers at 98 p.c as I set off – so over 300 miles within the US aren’t out of the realm of risk. And with a DC quick charging fee of 200 kilowatts (matching the usual EQS SUV), refilling to 80 p.c ought to take now not than half-hour.
Electrical Class
Whereas most individuals anticipate to be pushed in a Maybach slightly than drive one themselves (extra on that later), the pinnacle of Mercedes-Maybach Daniel Lescow emphasizes that “It is not a automotive for chauffeur driving solely.” It definitely is not.
Alongside the twisty mountain roads that run by way of Pacific Rim Nationwide Park, the Maybach badge barely appears like successful to dynamic driving. The hulking EQS hustles down lengthy straights with its additional torquey powertrain, which yields a type of ridiculous 0-60 time (particularly for a automobile this massive) of 4.1 seconds.
The steering is responsive and has wonderful chattiness all through, which permits for fast flicks into corners, whereas the usual air suspension with adaptive damping retains the hulking SUV settled. Maybach doesn’t checklist an official curb weight for its EQS SUV; it’s doubtless 6,500 kilos when evaluating it to the usual Benz model. However the suspension is so tender and well-sorted that it quashes extra physique roll than you’d anticipate of a automobile this massive. In comparison with the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, the EQS appears like a 911, even when it doesn’t have a fuel engine.
In Consolation mode, the Maybach cruises like a magic carpet over the bumpy, bruised roads on my approach north to Tofino. A number of the larger bumps expose that hefty curb weight because it bounds upward, however that is the one hit to the in any other case stellar suspension setup.
It is a superb SUV to drive and by far one of many sportiest choices amongst high-end SUVs. However after all, you continue to need – nay, should be pushed within the again seat.
Again Seat Driver
Just like the Maybach GLS, the EQS SUV ditches its third row for a pair of high-end recliners as an alternative. And even earlier than you place your rump, you may inform how supple the leather-based is by taking a look at it. The sustainably processed cowhide bulges out of the creases between the diamond-quilted stitching and bleeds onto the door panels to create a wraparound impact within the rear seats. Now that’s luxurious.
Maybach-branded pillows on the headrests coddle your skull when you sink into the second row, and a full recline operate shoves the entrance passenger seat as far ahead as doable for optimum stretch out-ability. Even at 6 toes tall, I will totally recline. My footwear simply barely contact the creamy white leather-based on the again aspect of the entrance seat (which is certain to get filthy).
A customized “Sandalwood” scent wafts all through the cabin giving out distant campfire vibes, and adjustable ambient lighting surrounds you on all sides. A gloss black heart “tunnel” with pinstriping splits the rear seats down the center with hidden facilities like champagne flutes, fold-out tables, and even a mini-fridge for retaining mentioned champagne cool.
All 4 doorways can shut mechanically, however there is not any bodily button to take action like on a comparable Bentley or Rolls-Royce. You both need to entry the Mercedes-Benz app (why?) or dig into one of many many in-car touchscreens, which is irritating. At the very least there are a number of screens to select from, six of them to be precise.
The 17.7-inch Mercedes Hyperscreen sits useless heart within the entrance of the automobile, flanked by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on the left aspect and one other 12.3-inch touchscreen on the passenger aspect. Again seat riders even have two 11.6-inch touchscreens on every of the entrance seat backs and a detachable Samsung pill within the heart console.
Poke at any of the three screens within the rear seat to entry a laundry checklist of therapeutic massage, heating, and cooling capabilities; hell, there’s even a thigh therapeutic massage that lightly pulses the bottom of your legs. The brand new Burmester 4D audio even acts as a kind of therapeutic massage, vibrating the bass from the music into your butt and again with an adjustable scale starting from 1-10. Pump it as much as 10 and placed on Aqua’s “Barbie Woman” for greatest outcomes.
Frankly, I have not been this cozy in a again seat because the Bentayga EWB (additionally in Vancouver), which feels just like the closest competitor to the Maybach when it comes to premium rear seating – minus the electrical powertrain. Not even the again seats within the Cullinan have this many options. And the coffin-like sound deadening places the EQS near Rolls-Royce standing.
Not even the again seats within the Cullinan have this many options.
However what I observed right here in comparison with, say, the Bentayga, is that the electrical powertrain and the recuperation operate – lively in Regular mode when Mercedes shuttled me round – made for a much less interesting rear seat expertise than in a fuel automotive. Let me clarify.
As somebody extraordinarily delicate to automotive illness, I might really feel the rapid tugging and slowing of the electrical powertrain in my intestine versus the softer throttle responses from a fuel automotive. Maybach did uninteresting the throttle right here, the truth is, however not sufficient to make the moment torque response disappear solely. Cease-and-go actions nonetheless really feel too abrupt for backseat riders, particularly grownup kids like myself vulnerable to stomach aches. Extra critical adults shouldn’t have any drawback driving within the rear seat, although.
Maybach Cash
With an estimated beginning worth of $200,000, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV is effectively worthy of its near-quarter-of-a-million-dollar asking worth. The Bentayga EWB is $226,900 and the Cullinan begins at round $345,000. Each of these pack fuel engines, nonetheless. A sportier electrified various, just like the $159,995 BMW XM, provides some comparable consolation at a fraction of the value, however it would not even come near the Maybach in the case of the rear seats.
Finally, the benefit this Maybach brings is that it’s totally electrical. It is like having your cake and consuming it too; all of the niceties you want from the model minus the fume-emitting powertrain. Maybach is embracing its all-electric future, and the EQS SUV is the primary in what must be an extended line of EV excellence.
Competitor Evaluations
Bentley Bentayga EWB: Not Rated BMW XM: 9.4 / 10 Rolls-Royce Cullinan: Not Rated