2027 Mercedes EQS returns cheaper with Australia's longest EV range

Key takeaways

• 2027 Mercedes-Benz EQS priced from $184,900 before on-roads
• Claimed 810km WLTP range, closer to 788km locally
• Steer-by-wire and yoke steering cost $7500 extra

The 2027 Mercedes-Benz EQS went on sale in Australia on 10 September, ending a two-year absence for the brand's electric flagship. Only one variant has been confirmed, the rear-wheel-drive EQS 400 Sedan, priced from $184,900 before on-road costs. That is $37,400 less than the all-wheel-drive EQS450 it replaces, and $79,300 below the cheapest petrol S-Class.

2027 Mercedes-Benz EQS pricing

View Mercedes-Benz EQS driveaway pricing and specifications →

Specs and performance

How far the EQS really goes

The 810km rating applies to 19-inch wheels sold in Europe, not the 21-inch alloys fitted as standard here, which pull the real figure back to roughly 788km.

Even so, that beats the BMW i7 60 xDrive at 727km, and it clears what an Australian customer can actually order from the BMW iX3 or Tesla Model 3. Australia misses out on the EQS 450+, which claims up to 925km overseas.

The 800-volt architecture does the heavy lifting elsewhere. Mercedes-Benz claims about 320km of range added in roughly 10 minutes on a 350kW charger, and a two-speed rear transmission sharpens acceleration off the line while dropping revs at highway speed.

The $7500 yoke

Steer-by-wire is optional, not standard. Pay $7500 and you get the flattened aircraft-style wheel, an electronic link in place of the mechanical steering column, and rear-axle steering with up to 10 degrees of movement. Mercedes-Benz says two separate signal paths provide redundancy, with rear steering and individual wheel braking as a backup.

Standard equipment is generous. The MBUX Hyperscreen is now included, along with micro-LED headlights, air suspension that reads the road ahead via Car-to-X data, a 15-speaker Burmester system, heated and power-adjustable rear seats and a panoramic sunroof.

The EQS is cheaper, faster-charging and longer-legged than the car it replaces, and it has the segment's most interesting steering wheel. The catch is that both the range figure and the range title come with an expiry date.