Mercedes Gave The Egg-Shaped EQS Sedan A Big Upgrade. But There

• Mercedes-Benz has given the EQS sedan a significant mid-lifecycle overhaul.
• It may not look too different, but it has an upgraded platform, powertrain, and battery.
• It also features new technology, including an optional steer-by-wire system with a yoke instead of a steering wheel.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS, the electric equivalent to the company’s S-Class flagship sedan, never really made the mark that the automaker was hoping for. But on Monday Mercedes announced a major overhaul that refreshes its look, improves its platform, and adds new tech. This is a significant upgrade for the EQS, which reaches the U.S. in the second half of 2026 as a 2027 model-year vehicle.

Mercedes says over a quarter of all the vehicle’s components are “new, updated and refined.” The biggest news is the upgrade to its platform, which has gone up from 400 to 800 volts. This allows the refreshed EQS to charge at up to 350 kilowatts, a higher peak charging power than the new electric GLC, which rides on an all-new bespoke EV platform and peaks at 330 kW. (Although I did charge one at 353 kW in the real world, surpassing the official claim).

On an 800-volt charging station, the EQS can now add 199 miles (320 km) of WLTP range in 10 minutes. Charging speeds on a 400-volt charger peak at 175 kW.

With a larger 122-kilowatt-hour battery (up from 118 kWh), the addition of a two-speed transmission on the rear motor, and the improved efficiency of going 800-volt, the EQS is now the longest-range Mercedes EV, with a claimed WLTP range of 575 miles (925 km) for the single-motor EQS 450+ variant. WLTP ranges are typically far more optimistic than U.S. EPA figures, but we don’t have figures for that test cycle yet. Expect them to be pretty impressive. 

The optional steer-by-wire system is another big addition, which replaces the traditional steering wheel with a yoke. With this system, you apply much less steering lock to maneuver the car, and opting for it also increases the rear steering angle from 4.5 to 10 degrees, making the car even more maneuverable. You can also still get the 10-degree rear steering upgrade without the steer-by-wire system, as on the old EQS. I tried the new steer-by-wire system on an EQS, and it felt very sharp and natural while also making the drive more effortless.

The EQS gets more powerful regenerative brakes, too, recovering energy at up to 385 kilowatts. For the GLC EV, which has a maximum regen braking power rating of 300 kW, Mercedes says the motors, not the friction brakes, do 99% percent of the braking, so it’s likely similar in the new EQS, which has even more regenerative braking power.

With the new MB.OS operating system running on the 55-inch ‘Hyperscreen’ (comprising three separate screens under a single sheet of glass), the refreshed EQS gets all the new features we saw in the CLA and GLC. This includes multi-agent AI, Google Maps integration, and over-the-air updates. The driver assistance systems have also been upgraded, and now the car features 27 sensors and cameras, giving it the (optional) ability to automatically steer around obstacles.

Visually, you can tell the new EQS apart from the pre-refresh model by its design, which features a revised front end with a more prominent faux grille and a redesigned hood. The daytime running lights now incorporate the Mercedes star and feature upgraded Digital Light technology that provides better illumination and uses 50% less power, Mercedes says.

The rear lights have also been subtly redesigned with a spiral-like LED element that looks better than before and emphasizes the vehicle’s visual width and luxury.

Heated seatbelts from the S-Class will also be available on the revised EQS. Mercedes argues that not only does this feel great on a cold day, but it’s also a safety feature that encourages occupants to take off thick jackets in winter, which allows the seatbelt and other safety systems to work better in the event of an accident.

Whether all these updates will make buyers consider the EQS more than before remains to be seen, but this is certainly a very comprehensive update that completely transforms and improves the car. All the changes certainly add up, and if you get one with steer-by-wire, it will feel very different from the pre-refresh model. The only downside is it only gets minor visual changes, retaining the same egg-like shape as the original EQS. That may turn some buyers off, but if you can look past the design, the new EQS is a truly cutting-edge EV.