A good first impression is vital, especially when introducing a brand-new model. Now, when that model also happens to be Mercedes-AMG’s first ever-fully electric production vehicle, it has to win hearts. Few brands have such a clear mission as Affalterbach’s best. Over the decades, the German carmaker has perfected the art of taking a massive engine making a million horsepower, and shoving it under the hood of just about anything to make a muscle car. They’ve done it with sedans, coupes, SUVs, and even a minivan. 

But times are changing, and Mercedes-AMG is slowly trading pops and bangs for packs and cells. At the forefront of this shift is the Mercedes-AMG EQS, the brand’s first BEV. It’s more than just a tuned-up EQS 580, though. It’s a proper attempt at retaining some of that trademark AMG lunacy by letting go of the burbling exhaust in favor of new sounds, sights, and feelings. 

Don’t, for a second, though, think that AMG has lost its way. The EQS is still a powerhouse, producing up to 751 hp and blasting to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. It’s quick, but then again, all high-horsepower EVs are. Thankfully, the EQS relies on more than just stats for its appeal. It combines a stellar interior, innovative tech, and a world-class ride to create an ideal high-power cruiser. However, not all the steps it takes move it forward. The EQS may serve as an introduction to the marque’s future, but it’s not perfect.

Exterior/Styling

I was so wrong about the Mercedes-AMG EQS’s…