Electric Excellence

Mercedes-Benz's flagship electric SUV gets the Maybach treatment and the result is the most opulent, eco-friendly form of road transportation in existence

Mercedes-Maybach is ready to add a third model to its highest luxury range of cars in the form of the EQS 680 SUV, which doesn't just deliver on the brand's promise of outstanding opulence, but does so with zero localised tailpipe emissions. As it stands, the all-electric powertrain makes the Maybach EQS SUV one of a kind. The only other offering from a comparable brand is the two-door Rolls-Royce Spectre coupe, but its form factor restricts its reach making the EQS SUV from Maybach the only option of its kind soon to be in the market for eco-conscious millionaires.

There are several styling touches all around that help set the Maybach version apart from the regular one, that too in a way that conveys the car's opulent nature. Besides the more obvious cues like the two-tone paint scheme and massive 21- or 22-inch wheels including a monoblock option, there's the pinstriped black panel on the nose that's exclusive to the Maybach version. Three-pointed star hood ornament with Maybach lettering and tell-tale badging on the boot and C-pillar aside, the SUV also sports Maybach pattern inserts on the bumper. The Night Series trim pictured here pushes the 'How many logos are too many logos?" envelope with the Maybach pattern on the B-pillar and even on the alloys exclusive to this version. It did seem over the top initially, especially in pictures, but in the flesh, it does somehow work. The Night Series package also adds darker hues to the exterior in general giving the EQS SUV a more subdued, stately appearance. Of course, there's the overarching point of contention that is the jellybean design approach for not just the EQS, but EQ models in general that makes them look more R-Class than G-Wagen, but opinions on styling are a subjective matter so we'll leave it to you and prospective buyers to decide where this SUV sits on the attractiveness scale.