There is no denying that the Tesla Model X has wowed everybody with its radical new approach to EV design and performance, but unlucky for them the mainstream manufacturers are catching up. Yes, the falcon door and extremely quick Tesla Model X used to be the cornerstone for every premium EV SUV buyer, but now the Mercedes-Benz aims to tip the scales in its favor with the new EQ line.
Curiously Mercedes-Benz is not aiming at ludicrous 0-60mph sprints and look-at-me-doors but wants to focus more on luxury and practicality. Tesla has recently updated the Model X Plaid with exterior and interior updates, but it’s still the ballistic power plant that woes everybody into buying one. Although, the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV could change that with its higher levels of refinement and design attributes.
Mercedes EQS SUV Vs Tesla Model X: Interior Comfort
Let’s just begin where most of you will spend your time playing with toys, the interior. Tesla updated the Model X in 2021 with a new why-not-a steering wheel and a huge 17-inch screen with a motor-operated swivel mechanism which really caught everybody’s attention.
And don’t forget the wireless gaming features with 10 teraflops of processing power, whereas the PlayStation 5 promises up to 10.28 teraflops. Even the 22-speaker audio system has active road noise cancelation to immerse you into your music. The large panoramic windshield up front and motorized opening and closing doors further add to the novelty of the radical Model X.
The German offers a giant MBUX Hyperscreen that almost stretches from A-pillar to A-pillar in a seamless continuous curved design. Basically, it is a combination of three screens, a 12.3-inch driver’s display, a 17.7-inch OLED display in the center, and a 12.3-inch OLED display in front of the passenger.
The touch screen also has haptic feedback thus simulating the touch of an actual button. Then is the brilliant combination of leather and wood which lends that luxurious sophistication to the interior. Mercedes mentions the seat piping actually lends a certain hand-built character, and can also be ordered in AMG-line for that extra special appeal.
Another innovative addition is the Sound Experience which gets forest notes, sounds of the sea, and summer rain programs utilizing ambient lighting and a superior audio system to immerse occupants in a soothing environment. Apart from the Dog Mode, the Tesla has not much to hold against the Merc EQS cabin.
Mercedes EQS SUV Vs Tesla Model X: Powerplant
Ever since its inception, Teslas have rearranged the way drivers perceive acceleration. The Tesla Model X Plaid develops 1020 hp peak power, can sprint from 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds, and is capable of completing a quarter mile in 9.9 seconds, all thanks to its all-wheel drive torque vectoring platform.
Even the base Model X develops 670 hp making the Mercedes EQS look timid. Mercedes EQS is offered in two 355 hp variants and a 536 hp version. However, these do develop 418 lb-ft and 632 lb-ft of torque respectively from a standstill, which more than makes up for its bulk.
The Mercedes EQS also has a longer range on offer per charge than the Tesla which will be the more quantifiable and favorable metric required by electric vehicle owners. German engineers have also tweaked the energy regeneration system which offers three levels of deceleration to recover the maximum amount of energy back to the batteries.
And they’ve not forgotten the off-road aspect either. The 4MATIC system will enhance traction on unpaved roads, inclines, ice, and a variety of slippery surfaces through the permanently excited synchronous motors (PSM) on the front and rear axles.
Mercedes also has decades of track learning that is applied to the handling and steering characteristics of all vehicles making them incredibly enjoyable for drivers. Also, the AIRMATIC suspension system can be raised or lowered by 25 mm as required by the driver, or automatically according to the speeds to make the car more aerodynamic.
Mercedes EQS SUV Vs Tesla Model X: Safety
Safety is quickly sliding as a top priority for Americans when choosing their next family car. Tesla has been over and above in the safety criterion by offering a strong chassis setup and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) as standard fitment. The active supervision system for the Autopilot on the Tesla Model X is also a pretty sophisticated system for crash avoidance.
But the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV takes safety a step ahead by offering Evasive Steering Assist, Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function and Active Blind Spot assist. There is an Interior Assist feature that utilizes cameras and ambient lighting to warn the driver or front passenger before opening the front doors. For pedestrians, an acoustic presence indicator generates a warning sound announcing its presence at low speeds.
Also in light of all the incidents with EV fires, Mercedes has added multiple features like separate positive and negative lines, automatic crash shutoff of the HV system, and a body shell made of different types of steel, all developed at their cutting-edge technology center for vehicle safety (TFS) in Sindelfingen.
All in all the refinement and stringent engineering processes alone make the Mercedes EQS SUV a better deal than the Tesla Model X. As the final nail in the coffin, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV starts with an MSRP of $104,400 whereas the 2022 Tesla Model X starts from $112,590 which is sure to go further up for 2023.
Sources: Mercedes-Benz, Tesla