I drove gas and electric Mercedes sedans. Here's how the two $140,000 cars stack up.
- I tested two fancy Mercedes sedans. One was gas-powered and one was an electric vehicle.
- Both were luxurious inside and buttery-smooth in motion.
An explosion in cool, new cars means that choosing between electric and gas-powered has never been tougher.
For example, Mercedes-Benz now sells the EQS, an electric equivalent to its top-dog S-Class sedan. I drove an EQS and an S-Class to see what's different and similar between the two cars — besides the obvious.
The 2022 EQS I drove was the EQS 580 4MATIC, which in Mercedes-speak means it's the more powerful model with all-wheel drive. The 2023 S-Class I tested was the S580e 4MATIC, meaning it was the all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid model, which has an electric motor and a gas engine.
Both test cars Mercedes lent me had plenty of add-ons and cost around $140,000.
At a glance, it's easy to tell the two cars apart.
The EQS looks simple, pure, and futuristic. It's marked by smooth, flowing contours and very few edges.
The slippery design reduces drag and helps maximize range to between 340 and 350 miles, depending on the model.
The design language is shared across Benz's new EQ sub-brand of electric vehicles, which also includes the EQS SUV, EQE sedan, EQE SUV, and EQB SUV.
The S-Class, on the other hand, has sharper features and a more conventionally stately appearance.
I think it's the better looking car. But I'll leave that up to you.
We also recently compared the Mercedes S-Class and Rolls-Royce Ghost to see the difference between standard luxury and a $400,000 vehicle.
Both had nice touches like door handles that pop out to greet you.
Let's move on to the interiors. Both are sturdy, wonderfully comfortable, and made from stylish, high-end materials.
Remember, Mercedes offers lots of interior options. This is just what I experienced.
Both cars had plush leather seats, massage functions, big glass roofs, and tons of interior space.
But there still were some differences I noticed in both aesthetics and functionality.
The EQS's cabin was full of swoopy curves — including turbine-style air vents — to match its exterior design.
The S580e has more straight lines and blocky features. Once again, the bold, weighty design mirrors the sort of vibes the S-Class gives off from the outside.
The EQS provides a tiny shelf under the center console since there's no need for a solid transmission tunnel.
One of the big benefits of electric cars is that carmakers have extra interior space to play around with. Similarly, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 has a flat floor (no humps) and an open space between the front seats.
Plus, it was the first Benz to offer the optional Hyperscreen, a ginormous three-display setup.
Mercedes’ user interface is nice. And the Hyperscreen lends the EQS a high-tech vibe. But it's total overkill.
Both back seats are large and soothing.
Check out all the most luxurious electric cars I've driven.
But the S-Class offers a bit more room.
The EQS trounces its gas-powered cousin when it comes to luggage space.
The EQS has a hatchback, while the S-Class has a regular trunk — and not a terribly large one at that.
And the S580e has way less luggage space than non-hybrid models, presumably because of the extra batteries.
How do both cars drive?
Both insulate you from the outside world like a nice pair of noise-canceling headphones.
And, thanks to their air suspensions, both do a superb job of smoothing out rough roads.
Neither was quite as tranquil as the Rolls-Royce Spectre EV, which I tested this summer.
Either can be equipped with rear-wheel steering that helps them maneuver around parking lots like cars half their size.
The EQS was just a bit quieter, smoother, and quicker off the line thanks to its electric powertrain.
Electric cars are inherently quicker than gas-powered ones, because their motors can provide full power at any speed.
Both sedans offer a laundry list of safety and driver-assistance features as standard, including Mercedes-Benz's impressive advanced cruise control system.
Plug-in hybrids like the S580e are kind of like a halfway point between regular hybrids and fully electric cars. They have large-ish batteries that can be charged and typically offer decent electric-only range of 25-50 miles.
With their automated-driving features switched on, both cars were able to confidently hug highway curves and navigate stop-and-go traffic.
And for the 2024 model year, both cars will be available with Drive Pilot, the first system in the US that encourages drivers to read a book or watch YouTube while the car does all the work during highway traffic jams.
Mercedes Drive Pilot is the first Level 3 autonomous driving system approved in the US. It'll initially be available on certain highways in California and Nevada.
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