Which 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ Options Are Worth the Price?
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ Premium options highlights:
- Of the three 2022 Mercedes-EQS 450+ trims, the Premium is the cheapest, with a starting price of $102,310
- The EQS 450+ Premium MotorBiscuit tested cost $115,245 after options and a $1050 destination fee
- While some lower-cost options are arguably unnecessary, overall, many of the options on our EQS test vehicle were worth adding on
Although it’s not technically an S-Class, the 2022 EQS fulfills the same role for Mercedes-Benz’s electric lineup. Thus, not only does it preview what the company’s EVs will look like, but it has some of the best tech and luxury features Mercedes can throw at a car. Or at least, it’s supposed to. And arguably, given how it much costs, you’d expect it to. However, if you find the standard version lacking, you can quickly prop the 2022 Mercedes EQS 450+’s price tag up with options. But which ones are worth spending cash on?
How much is a 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+?
Mercedes-Benz offers the 2022 EQS in three different forms: 450+, 580 4Matic, and AMG EQS. The latter two models have all-wheel drive, while the 450+ is a RWD EV.
The base 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ starts at $102,310 before options, additional fees, and potential EV tax credit. However, the ‘base’ EQS 450+ isn’t officially called that. Instead, Mercedes splits the base model into three different trims:
- Premium: $102,310
- Exclusive: $105,710
- Pinnacle: $108,510
Mercedes-Benz sent over a 2022 EQS 450+ Premium with a few options for MotorBiscuit to test. So, this article will focus on the Premium trim model. Know, though, that some of the Premium options come standard on the Exclusive and Pinnacle trims.
What do you get for the price of a 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ Premium?
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ Premium | |
| Motor arrangement | Rear permanently synchronous electric motor |
| Horsepower | 329 hp |
| Torque | 417 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Single-speed |
| Usable battery capacity | 107.8 kWh |
| EPA-estimated range | 350 miles |
| Onboard charger | 9.6 kW |
| Charging time | 11.25 hours (10-100%, Level 2) 0.5 hours (10-80%, DC fast charging) |
| Curb weight | 5597 lbs |
| 0-60 mph time | 5.9 seconds |
Although the EQS 450+ Premium is the ‘entry-level’ model, it still rides on the same platform as the more expensive models. So, it has the same battery, onboard charger, adjustable air suspension with adaptive dampers, and Mercedes Charge me compatibility. Also, while Euro-spec EQS models have optional rear-wheel steering, Mercedes-Benz makes it standard in the US.
Although it doesn’t offer massaging seats like the Exclusive, the Premium is fairly well-equipped. Besides the features mentioned earlier, it also comes standard with:
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Panorama roof
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Mercedes MBUX infotainment with ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice assistant and augmented-reality navigation
- 12.3” digital gauge cluster
- 12.8” OLED center touchscreen
- Front wireless charging pad
- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Burmester 3D Surround Sound audio system
- EQS Sound Experience (think engine-like ambient noise, but more futuristic, Roadshow says)
- 64-color LED ambient lighting
- Six USB-C ports
- Electronic liftgate
- Illuminated door sills
- LED logo projectors
- Keyless entry
- Power-folding side mirrors
In addition, Mercedes-Benz gives the 2022 EQS 450+ Premium an extensive advanced driver-assistance safety feature suite. This ADAS suite includes:
- Front and rear cross-traffic alert with pedestrian detection
- Automatic emergency braking
- Front and rear parking sensors with active parking assist
- Lane-keeping assist and lane-departure warning
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Adaptive cruise control
- Side obstacle detection
- Evasive steering assist
- 360° camera system
What was the price of the options on our 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ Premium?
While the base price of a 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ Premium is just over $102K, our test vehicle stickered at $115,245. And that’s with a $50 credit for the missing Valet/Beginner Driver mode, likely tied to microchip shortages. Even after you remove the $1050 destination charge, that’s still almost $12,000 in options.
Though to be fair, the lion’s share of that upcharge came from one option:
- MBUX Hyperscreen Package: $7230
- 56” Gorilla Glass curved touchscreen/center display/dashboard
- 17.7” OLED center touchscreen with haptic feedback
- 12.3” OLED passenger display with haptic feedback
- 12.3” driver’s display
- 110V home/emergency-use charging cable: $250
- Energizing Air Control Plus HVAC upgrade with HEPA air filter: $450
- Front massaging multi-contour seats: $1100
- MBUX Interior Assistant (gesture control): $350
- Active ambient lighting: $590
- Rapid-heating front seats: $450
- Natural grain ‘Yacht Design’ brown walnut with aluminum lines interior trim: $1515
“It’s very clear why it costs [over] $100,000.”
jordan almond, motorbiscuit
Now, you don’t need these options to enjoy the Mercedes-Benz EQS. Our editor Jordan Almond spent a week with it and came away wishing for more time. “You can tell the Mercedes team really paid attention to every detail,” she says, from the navigation to the interior materials. But some things are worth spending money on.
Which options are worth the cost?
Speaking of the navigation, the Hyperscreen is expensive, but in her opinion, it’s worth it. It’s crisp, clear, and gives the passenger additional control. Also, it doesn’t just replace the center touchscreen: it effectively replaces the EQS’s entire dashboard. It’s a “phenomenal” setup, as well as a “standout” EQS feature and “truly a marvel,” Roadshow adds.
After experiencing active ambient lighting in the Mercedes-AMG GLB 35, I wholeheartedly recommend it on style alone. But, like the Yacht Design wood trim, it is a personal-taste option. Although that matte-wood trim does “spice…up” the EQS’s interior, Roadshow says.
Unless you live somewhere truly frigid, though, the rapid-heating seat option is arguably superfluous. In addition, they drain the battery faster, which cuts into your precious range. It’s a similar story with the massaging seats, though Jordan “loved them” and their customizability. And while gesture controls might be handy for some, MBUX is good enough on its own that this functionality isn’t necessary.
However, while the HEPA air filter takes up some under-hood space, the EQS’s ‘frunk’ is bolted shut anyway, MotorTrend notes. So, while you don’t need to order it, there’s no drawback.
As for the ‘emergency’ charging cable, owning a Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ is significantly easier with Level 2 home charging. That doesn’t mean you can’t charge via a 110V outlet, but Jordan found it took about 10 hours to add 15 miles. Also, the EQS’s navigation system estimates the remaining charge at your destination and tracks nearby charging stations. Still, if you have range anxiety, or lack Level 2 or 3 charger access, it’s only $250.
In short, excluding the personal-taste features, you could shave $1000-$2500 off the sticker price of our 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ Premium tester. Considering the base price, that’s almost a rounding error, and it’s only a fraction of the Mercedes catalog. But overall, whether you go light or heavy on the EQS options, they’re worth considering.
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