Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV (X296) · 1st generation EQS SUV

X296

Seven-seat electric luxury, with a Maybach at the summit.

Production
2022–present
Seats
up to 7
Body
5-door SUV
Built in
Alabama, USA
Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV (X296) (X296)

EQS SUV turned the first dedicated Mercedes-Benz luxury-EV platform into a three-row flagship.

Unveiled on 19 April 2022, X296 shares its 3,210 mm wheelbase, battery system and EVA2 electronics with the EQS liftback, but stands 203 mm taller and seats as many as seven. Launch versions ranged from the rear-drive EQS 450+ to 450 and 580 4MATIC models. AIRMATIC, rear-axle steering and an OFFROAD program made the 5,125 mm SUV more maneuverable than its size suggested, while 200 kW DC charging and a WLTP range of up to 660 km kept it within the operating envelope of the sedan.

In April 2023 the same X296 became the first series-production electric Mercedes-Maybach. The EQS 680 SUV combined 484 kW and 950 N·m with a four-seat rear lounge, Maybach-specific isolation and the brand’s first electric-only body. No AMG EQS SUV reached series production; the performance derivative on EVA2 is the smaller X294 AMG EQE SUV. Tuscaloosa builds Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-Maybach X296s for the world. Global sales began in the second half of 2022, whereas the United States treats the launch vehicle as model year 2023 and the Maybach as model year 2024.

X296 interior
The Mercedes-Benz cabin offers up to seven seats; Maybach replaces the third row with a four-seat rear lounge.

Every model.

Rear- and all-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz variants plus the Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 on the shared X296 chassis.

ModelModel yearsChassisEngineTransmissionTotal
EQS 450+ SUV2022–2024296— —
EQS 450 4MATIC SUV2022–296— —
EQS 500 4MATIC SUV2023–2025296— —
EQS 580 4MATIC SUV2022–296— —
Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV2023–296— —
X296 side profile
The 3,210 mm wheelbase is identical to the EQS liftback, beneath a 5,125 mm SUV body.

Year by year.

From the 2022 world premiere and Alabama production start to Maybach and the current range.

  1. 2022
    • 19 April: EQS SUV makes its world premiere as the third production series on the dedicated EVA2 architecture.
    • Launch family comprises EQS 450+ (rear-wheel drive), EQS 450 4MATIC and EQS 580 4MATIC, all with 396-volt architecture and up to 200 kW DC charging.
    • August: series production begins at Tuscaloosa, Alabama; global market launch follows in the second half of the year.
  2. 2023
    • North American sales begin as model year 2023, despite the 2022 global launch and production start.
    • 17 April: Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV premieres in Shanghai as Maybach’s first battery-electric series model, with 484 kW, 950 N·m and up to 600 km provisional WLTP range.
    • EQS 500 4MATIC appears in selected global markets between the 450 and 580.
  3. 2024
    • Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 reaches the United States as model year 2024.
    • Battery and efficiency running changes adopted across the EQS family extend range; Plug & Charge and MBUX functions continue to expand over the air.
  4. 2025
    • The core UK range consolidates around EQS 450 4MATIC and EQS 580 4MATIC, while other combinations remain market-dependent.
  5. 2026
    • Mercedes-Benz confirms continuing Tuscaloosa production of EQS SUV and Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV for global markets.
    • Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 remains the sole Maybach derivative on X296; no production AMG version has been announced.
X296 rear three-quarter view
Five-seat luggage volume runs from 645 to 2,100 liters; seven-seat cars retain 565 liters with the third row folded.

Original brochures.

Factory EQS SUV literature from Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-Maybach.

Looking for other models? Browse the full brochure archive →