ROOMY, POWERFUL AND EASY TO HANDLE

Lots to like about the all-electric version of luxury sport sedan — except perhaps the price

If you haven't noticed, we've entered the next phase of the electric vehicle evolution, with segments such as executive sedans, pickup trucks and full-sized sport utility vehicles beginning to embrace the power of the electron. The latest example comes from Mercedes-eq, the all-electric brand of Mercedes-benz, in the form of a full-sized SUV based on the automaker's luxury sport sedan.

The 2023 EQS SUV shares the same MEB architecture and many bells and whistles with the EQS sedan, but offers seven-passenger seating and other attributes that make the full-sized SUV segment so popular with Canadian consumers. Also popular with Canucks is all-wheel drive, so it's little surprise both EQS SUV models coming to dealerships have power at all four wheels.

The EQS 450 4Matic SUV is priced at $136,000, and the EQS 580 4Matic SUV at $158,500. Both are built at the Mercedes production facility in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

I had the opportunity to drive both models in Denver and into the nearby Rocky Mountains, including on a short off-road loop that underscored the capabilities of the vehicle. Before some impressions from my time behind the wheel, let's dive into some of the facts and figures of this all-electric SUV.

The EQS SUV shares the same platform as the EQS sedan, and that includes the same long wheelbase. However, shorter front and rear overhangs give the SUV a shorter overall length. The SUV is also more than 20 centimetres higher than the sedan. As with the sedan, and thanks to the flat EV architecture, cabin space is very generous, and even with the optional third-row seating, the rear cargo space offers room for a couple of full-sized suitcases. Fold down those power seats and the big rear hold will swallow up four full-sized sets of golf clubs. Likewise, passenger room is excellent, particularly in the second row, where legroom and head room easily accommodate six-footers and beyond.

One thing this electric vehicle does not have is a frunk, and in fact the only access to the front hood is at the hands of Mercedes-eq technicians. Under the hood is the High Efficiency Particulate Air filter, standard on the 580 and optional on the 450. To fill the windshield washer reservoir, you pop open a small drawer on the front fender. Towing capacity is 1,800 kilograms (3,980 pounds).

All EQS 4Matic SUVS have an electric drivetrain (EATS) on the rear and front axles, with torqueshift function that continuously distributes the torque between the front and rear electric motors. The electric motors on the front and rear axles are permanently excited synchronous motors (PSM).

The chassis features a four-link axle at the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, and air suspension with continuously adjustable damping ADS+ is standard equipment. The vehicle level can be raised by several centimetres. The standard rear-axle steering is set at 4.5 degrees, however, there is an optional version with up to 10 degrees steering angle. Drive modes include Eco, Comfort, Sport, Individual and Off-road.

Each model has an estimated range of 459 kilometres, a 108.4 kwh-capacity battery, and a maximum charging rate of 200kw. Mercedes-eq reports a 10 to 80 per cent charge rate of 31 minutes on a DC fast charger.

Each model offers Premium, Sport, Sport Interior, Premium Rear seating and Executive Rear seating packages. The EQS 580 comes standard with the huge Hyperscreen which runs the length and width of the dashboard, while the 450 comes with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 17.7-inch media display. The Hyperscreen is available as an option on the 450.

The comfort, luxury and attention to detail is first class all the way, and when you grip that big meaty sport steering wheel you know this vehicle is built for driving. This is a big vehicle, but the big power output — 265kw (355 hp) in the 450 and 400kw (536 hp) in the 580 — air suspension, and rear-axle steering make negotiating citystreet driving a breeze. Out on the highway, the vehicle was stable and sure-footed. Confidence-inspiring is an understatement.

The optional 10-degree rear-axle steering really showed its prowess on the off-road course, where the terrain was narrow and required some tight manoeuvres. And the Off-road mode provided a higher ride height and a hill-descent feature that flawlessly controlled the speed going down a steep and rocky pitch. Not sure how many EQS SUV owners will take their rigs off the beaten track, but they will be secure in the knowledge they can do so if they so choose.