GoKawiilis transportation editor with 10+ years of experience who covers EVs, public transportation, and aviation. His work has appeared in The New York Daily News and City & State.
A year ago, Mercedes-Benz did the prudent thing and paused its EQ lineup of electric vehicles in the US. With customer demand drying up for luxury EVs, and federal incentives getting axed by vengeful Republicans, Mercedes put its first-generation EVs on ice.
But then, in January, Mercedes quietly reintroduced the EQS brand in the US, with The Drive declaring that the “blobs are back” — a reference to the sedan’s much-maligned jelly-bean shape that prioritized aerodynamics over a more traditional profile. But we didn’t yet realize how back the EQS truly was.
Today, Mercedes is reintroducing its electric sedan to a wary, cash-strapped market, and it’s sweetening the pot with a crazy range estimate and an innovative steer-by-wire technology, a first for the German automaker. The 2027 EQS is scheduled to arrive at US dealerships in the second half of 2026.
Mercedes is truly not screwing around with the new EQS. The sedan is estimated to have 925km (575 miles) of range on the WLTP cycle (which tends to be around 10–20 percent more generous than the EPA’s estimates). This can be achieved thanks to a battery with a new chemistry that blends silicon oxide with graphite for the anodes, enabling a usable capacity of 122kWh. Mercedes is also cutting back on its use of cobalt, which has been called the “blood diamond of batteries” due to its ties to human rights abuses.
Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4MATIC
Charging will be much improved with the refreshed EQS, too. The automaker upgraded architecture to 800 volts, allowing for 350 kW DC fast charging, adding 320 km of range in just 10 minutes. When charging at a 400-volt station, the EQS’s intelligent control system virtually divides the battery into two parts, charing each half with 400 volts and up to 175kW of energy.
The inclusion of steer-by-wire is certainly a big risk. Steer-by-wire, in which the vehicle can be steered electronically rather than through a physical connection between the steering wheel and steering rack, could lead to improved maneuverability and enhanced comfort. Or it could lead to latency issues — although Mercedes says it has thoroughly tested its system for safety. A new steering yoke could help attract race enthusiasts to the dealership. But if you prefer a good old fashioned round-shape steering wheel and reliable electromechanical steering, Mercedes will be happy to sell you an EQS with those too.
The silhouette is still decidedly blob-like, but Mercedes maintains that the one-bow design enables an industry-leading drag coefficient of 0.20 — which is further optimized by “refined exterior mirrors.” This likely helps with range gains, but it could be a tough sell among shoppers who would prefer a few more sharp angles. Mercedes also boosted the regenerative braking power by a third for 385kW of recuperation.
Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4MATIC Image: Mercedes-Benz
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