[AlexFL]

They really liked the smooth powertrain but were quite critical about its looks and driving characteristics, especially when ‘pushing’ it.

[dgoldenz]

Well from the outside it looks like a $20k car that actually costs $120k, so yeah

[Sedoy]

Looks like a banana, the concept was way different and better looking.

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by Sedoy

Looks like a banana, the concept was way different and better looking.

yep

[Germanauto]

Car aside, really well done video. Great analysis, humor, and production value.

The S-class is one of the most well-known nameplates in the world, especially thanks to its stately and intimidating appearance. Clearly Mercedes knows how to design a highly attractive executive sedan. So what the hell were their product planners and design dept. thinking here? Having to maximize range and accounting for a high battery floor are not justifiable reasons as there are other better looking big EV boats (they're all somewhat ugly though if you ask me).

The Hyperscreen stuff looks chintzy and gimmicky. The S-class on the other hand has a proper large slab of wood flowing across the dash.

[Sedoy]

Another thing I don't get is how in the world thing weighs 5800 lbs? There seems to be a competition going on with the BMW i4 for a heavyweight title... Tesla S Plaid is 1000 lbs. lighter and got 3rd motor.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by Sedoy

Another thing I don't get is how in the world thing weighs 5800 lbs? There seems to be a competition going on with the BMW i4 for a heavyweight title... Tesla S Plaid is 1000 lbs. lighter and got 3rd motor.

I'd imagine due to a lot more luxury/safety amenities and having no sporting pretentions. I'm glad these TH guys addressed the weight and how it is detrimental to handling/ride.

[Sedoy]

Yeah, must all those screens...

Originally Posted by Germanauto

I'd imagine due to a lot more luxury/safety amenities and having no sporting pretentions. I'm glad these TH guys addressed the weight and how it is detrimental to handling/ride.

[stein_325i]

I've driven both the 450+ and 580 model both extensively in the past two months, I agree with some of their points but not all of them.

The brakes definitely could use some work in my opinion, the strong regen mode especially is something to get use to. I mainly kept it in the lowest regen mode and found it easier to modulate with less issue but it is less efficient (although apparently real world range is close to 400 miles so probably not too big of an issue).

The looks are definitely a low, sadly the car was dictated by a wind tunnel rather than a design studio. I've gotten use to it after seeing it in the wild a few times, but it'll never be impressive like when I look at a W223 S-Class.

The steering and rear-wheel steering are a non-issue. Zero people, and I mean absolutely zero people are pushing this 207 inch long vehicle. The rear wheel steering is also perhaps its greatest aspect besides the motor, as it allows something this large to take turns and feel smaller like a C or E-Class. And as for taking this on an on ramp, there is zero issue there, Maryland is filled with cloverleaf highway ramps and both models felt easy to drive there, there wasn't any issue of steering adjustment in my opinion, its simply just a surprisingly small steering ratio for a car this large.

I'm also not sure what they were hearing with wind noise, this is probably the quietest EV I've driven yet (of Model S Plaid, Model 3, Taycan, Mach-E).

I'd still get an ICE S-Class as for now as EV's in general just aren't there yet for me. I just have yet to find an EV that ticks all my boxes. For this and the iX the styling is a let down, the Plaid has the stupid yoke and all Tesla's have poor build quality, a Taycan and E-Tron GT are fast and good looking (E-Tron is less impressive in person though), but lack the engagement and sound of their gas competitors while costing more, the Mach-E is almost there but typical Ford quality has intervened, Polestar is nice but they're pretending they're a startup company so I can't go to my local Volvo dealer to even see one, Lucid is an actual startup so not sure I want to deal with a new company (and also an entire state away from me), Rivian is still only delivering to employees, and also a startup, Toyota is still denying the existence of EV's and putting out poor efforts (bz4x), the iD4 is an ergonomic nightmare (the window switch situation still irks me to this day), maybe the Hyundai Ioniq5 and Kia EV6 will be the one's to get?

Originally Posted by Germanauto

The Hyperscreen stuff looks chintzy and gimmicky. The S-class on the other hand has a proper large slab of wood flowing across the dash.

You can get the S-Class style interior on the 450+ which features a large space and different options of wood or a really cool ambient light trim as only the 580 and 53 feature the Hyperscreen standard (and for the moment unavailable on 450+ due to the chip shortage). I will say though after seeing the Hyperscreen in person it does look very impressive, definitely more wow-factor or for those who are techies.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

You can get the S-Class style interior on the 450+ which features a large space and different options of wood or a really cool ambient light trim as only the 580 and 53 feature the Hyperscreen standard (and for the moment unavailable on 450+ due to the chip shortage). I will say though after seeing the Hyperscreen in person it does look very impressive, definitely more wow-factor or for those who are techies.

Yeah I've seen the EQS without the Hyperscreen and am still not a fan at all of the dash design even with the wood. It's very upright, and the trim pieces are very curvy/swoopy. I like a solid square piece like on the S-class. Just personal preference.

I agree with your point about the E-Tron GT. From the start I felt the internet was overrating the looks. I've seen a handful in real life and they just look like any ordinary Audi to me, maybe because the examples I saw were in greyscale colors with ordinary looking wheels. At least Audi didn't create something ugly like nearly every other EV.

I think the Taycan is the best looking EV, with the decade-old Model S in second place.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Yeah I've seen the EQS without the Hyperscreen and am still not a fan at all of the dash design even with the wood. It's very upright, and the trim pieces are very curvy/swoopy. I like a solid square piece like on the S-class. Just personal preference.

I agree with your point about the E-Tron GT. From the start I felt the internet was overrating the looks. I've seen a handful in real life and they just look like any ordinary Audi to me, maybe because the examples I saw were in greyscale colors with ordinary looking wheels. At least Audi didn't create something ugly like nearly every other EV.

I think the Taycan is the best looking EV, with the decade-old Model S in second place.

Agree, the Taycan still takes the cake on looks, only problem is they are grossly overpriced. Even a Taycan 4S with some options is E63S and M5 pricing, and I already know I'd rather have a V8. Or before the shortage I drove a $160k Taycan and in the end I thought, I'd rather get a Model 3 and get a 718 GTS for the price of one of these.

I'm very curious to see how the i7 will turn out, as it has potential, but knowing BMW they'll screw up the front end which is a shame.

[Sedoy]

Agree with most points, but I will still take Tesla S Plaid over anything dispute notorious build quality, just need to swap the yoke (I'm sure aftermarket is coming). Hard to beat Tesla's performance, autopilot (still best in the industry), and charging network.

Originally Posted by stein_325i

...the Plaid has the stupid yoke and all Tesla's have poor build quality...

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by Sedoy

Agree with most points, but I will still take Tesla S Plaid over anything dispute notorious build quality, just need to swap the yoke (I'm sure aftermarket is coming). Hard to beat Tesla's performance, autopilot (still best in the industry), and charging network.

This is sadly true. I’m more bothered by the on-screen reverse gear switch tbh. And why can’t they offer more interior colors?

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

This is sadly true. I’m more bothered by the on-screen reverse gear switch tbh. And why can’t they offer more interior colors?

The on screen selector is stupid, and so is the haptic steering yoke, I honked at pedestrians accidently when trying to turn the wheel, they are also some of the most sensitive haptic buttons I've ever used in a car.

And more exterior colors. You use to be able to get a Green Model S and now its the same old 5 colors that Tesla offers on everything.

I would personally prefer the color that Elon Musk has on his personal Model S, looks very similar to MB's Rubellite Red which is a beautiful color.

[Eternalthinker]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

The on screen selector is stupid, and so is the haptic steering yoke, I honked at pedestrians accidently when trying to turn the wheel, they are also some of the most sensitive haptic buttons I've ever used in a car.

And more exterior colors. You use to be able to get a Green Model S and now its the same old 5 colors that Tesla offers on everything.

I would personally prefer the color that Elon Musk has on his personal Model S, looks very similar to MB's Rubellite Red which is a beautiful color.

What I also dislike about the yoke wheel is when I am reversing and have a natural tendency to turn and look at the rear wheel managing the steering wheel is to grab a part of the steering wheel that is no longer there.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by Eternalthinker

What I also dislike about the yoke wheel is when I am reversing and have a natural tendency to turn and look at the rear wheel managing the steering wheel is to grab a part of the steering wheel that is no longer there.

Which is an example of my bitch about making changes for change sake. There is nothing wrong with a steering wheel but Elon still wanted to change it and interfere with our long learned muscle memory.

[Sedoy]

Not really sure if this is his actual intent here. I think this is pure marketing - "Tesla doesn't have a steering wheel...blah blah blah" has been discussed everywhere by now. But in reality, people who want to buy 130K Tesla Plaid will buy it regardless of the steering wheel shape, or at least they are smart enough to understand that this can easily be swapped. Plus it's a cool bragging thing that only Tesla has (for now).
While germans competing who's ambient lighting got more colors... Tesla removes the steering wheel and makes the headlines, pretty genius move by Tesla. As the saying goes - 'there is no such thing as bad publicity'.

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

Which is an example of my bitch about making changes for change sake. There is nothing wrong with a steering wheel but Elon still wanted to change it and interfere with our long learned muscle memory.

[brad850csi]

I do think the yoke is an attempt to say that the steering wheel isn't important as self driving will work perfectly soon...... I personally doubt it haha.

As for the EQS, the styling is somewhat purposeful, it isn't style for styles sake or just outright ugly. Out of all of the current EVs, this is my favourite as it isn't a stupid SUV/Crossover and has decent range. It is also from an actual car maker who knows how to screw things together

[eluded]

Looks nice