2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS AMG 53 4MATIC+ Review

The luxury electric sedan market is gradually becoming a new choice for high-end consumers in Malaysia, combining environmental considerations with the comfort and technological feel of traditional luxury cars. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS AMG 53 4MATIC+ is one of the representative models in this niche market. As a pure electric member of the AMG family, it not only inherits the brand's performance DNA but is also equipped with the latest smart configurations. Many consumers are curious whether it can balance the dual identity of "performance" and "luxurious electric." In this test drive, we focus on two aspects: Is the electric performance tuned by AMG truly strong enough, and as a flagship luxury electric car, does its practicality meet daily standards?

From the appearance, the EQS AMG 53 retains the iconic "bow-shaped body" design of the EQS series. The overall lines are smooth and rounded, with a drag coefficient of only 0.23, laying a good foundation for range and quietness. The front features a closed-off grille with a large central three-pointed star emblem embedded in the middle. The LED headlight groups on both sides are integrated with the grille and, when lit, display AMG-exclusive daytime running light patterns for high recognizability. The waistline along the side of the body stretches from the front to the rear, paired with 21-inch AMG alloy wheels, maintaining the elegance of a luxury car while exuding the sportiness of a performance vehicle. The rear end is relatively simple in design, with a full-width LED taillight group featuring AMG-specific light effects inside. The diffuser-shaped rear bumper emphasizes the performance attributes. The overall design not only aligns with the futuristic feel of electric vehicles but also remains consistent with AMG's sporty aesthetic.

Sitting inside, the first thing you notice is the creation of a luxury ambiance. The interior features large areas wrapped in Nappa leather, with carbon fiber trim added to the dashboard and door panels, balancing texture and a sporty vibe. The 141-inch MBUX Hyperscreen is the centerpiece of the interior, spanning from the driver's seat to the passenger seat and integrating the dashboard, central control screen, and passenger entertainment display. Its operation smoothness and display clarity are considered top-notch in the class. The steering wheel is a flat-bottom AMG-specific design with touch buttons and metal paddle shifters (used to adjust energy recovery levels), offering a solid grip. In terms of features, the front seats support heating, ventilation, and massage functions, while the rear seats also feature heating and electric adjustment, with a central armrest equipped with an independent control screen for adjusting the air conditioning and multimedia. Additionally, a Burmester sound system, panoramic sunroof, and four-zone automatic air conditioning are all standard, meeting high-end users’ expectations for luxury.

Regarding space performance, the dimensions of the EQS AMG 53 are 5216mm×2125mm×1512mm, with a wheelbase of 3210mm, placing it among the leaders in its class of electric luxury sedans. Front-row space needs no explanation; a passenger with a height of 180cm will still have a fist's worth of headroom and ample legroom after adjusting the seat. The rear seat space is a highlight; a passenger of the same height in the rear can enjoy more than two fists of legroom. Although the bow-shaped body design slightly compresses the headroom at the rear, there is still a clearance of four fingers, ensuring no sense of confinement. In terms of storage capacity, the center armrest box in the front is spacious, the door storage compartments can hold two bottles of mineral water, and the trunk has a standard capacity of 610L, which can be expanded to 1770L by folding down the rear seats, meeting the luggage needs of a family for long-distance travel. The rear row is also equipped with Type-C charging ports and air conditioning vents, showing attention to detail.

The driving performance is one of the core selling points of the EQS AMG 53. It is equipped with dual front and rear permanent magnet synchronous motors, with a system combined output of 658PS and a maximum torque of 950 N·m. The official 0-100km/h acceleration takes only 3.8 seconds. During actual driving, switching to the "Sport+" mode and pressing the accelerator deeply provides a strong feeling of thrust, with almost no delay in power response. Overtaking requires just a light press of the pedal, which completely matches AMG's performance positioning. The driving modes include Economy, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Individual. In different modes, power output and chassis tuning vary significantly: in Economy mode, the power output is smooth, suitable for daily commuting; Comfort mode balances power and range, making it the most commonly used mode; in Sport+ mode, the torque release from the motors is more direct, and the suspension is stiffer, suitable for experiencing performance.

In terms of handling and chassis performance, the EQS AMG 53 is equipped with an AMG-tuned air suspension and adaptive damping system, which can adjust the suspension stiffness in real-time based on road conditions. During daily driving, the suspension can filter out most road bumps, so when passing speed bumps or uneven roads, the body movement is minimal, maintaining the comfort of a luxury car. When entering corners, the suspension's support becomes noticeably stronger, and body roll is well-controlled. Combined with the rear-wheel steering system (maximum steering angle of 4.5 degrees), even though the vehicle is over 5.2 meters long, the turning radius is comparable to that of a compact sedan, and the maneuverability exceeds expectations. The all-wheel drive system performs stably on slippery roads, ensuring power is evenly distributed to all four wheels, thereby enhancing driving safety.

In terms of range and energy consumption, it is equipped with a large capacity 107.8kWh lithium battery, with an official WLTP range of 770km. During our test drive on mixed roads (60% urban roads, 40% highways), with the air conditioning fully on and the driving mode set to Comfort, the achieved range rate was approximately 85%, with an actual range of about 650km. For a performance-oriented luxury electric vehicle, this result is quite good. Regarding fast charging, it supports up to 200kW DC fast charging, allowing it to charge from 10% to 80% in just 31 minutes, meeting the energy replenishment needs of long-distance travel. The energy consumption performance is average, around 22kWh/100km in urban conditions and about 28kWh/100km on highways, which is reasonable given its weight and performance positioning.

In terms of driving and riding comfort, the performance of the EQS AMG 53 is commendable. The vehicle's noise insulation is excellent, with wind and tire noise well-controlled at high speeds. Only during rapid acceleration can the slight whine of the motor be heard, which does not affect the tranquility inside the car. The energy recovery system has three adjustable levels. The highest level's recuperation strength is close to the single-pedal mode, reducing the need for braking; the lowest level is similar to the coasting feel of a gasoline car, catering to different driving habits. The seating comfort is also very high. The front seats provide good wrapping and support, ensuring no fatigue after long drives. The rear seats feature soft padding and a moderate backrest angle, making them suitable for long journeys.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS AMG 53 4MATIC+ are clear: First, the AMG-tuned electric performance, with a 3.8-second acceleration performance and precise handling that meets the needs of performance enthusiasts. Second, the sense of luxury and technology it conveys, with features such as the MBUX Hyperscreen, Nappa leather interior, and Burmester sound system leading its class. Third, its impressive space and range performance, catering to both daily commuting and long-distance travel. Compared to its peer, the Porsche Taycan Turbo S, the EQS AMG 53 is more competitively priced (RM 798,888) and comes with richer features; while against the BMW i7 M70, its performance tuning is more aggressive, making it well-suited for driving enthusiasts.

This car is clearly suited for two groups of people: firstly, high-end consumers who pursue "performance + luxury"—those who want the environmental and technological appeal of an electric vehicle without compromising on AMG's driving pleasure; secondly, high-end family users, as its space and comfort meet the needs of family outings while the brand's prestige aligns with their status.

Overall, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS AMG 53 4MATIC+ is a "versatile" electric luxury performance car. It does not sacrifice luxury for performance, nor does it compromise power for range, making it an excellent choice in the current premium electric segment where performance, luxury, and practicality are equally balanced.