2027 Mercedes EQS Spied With Updates As Sales Falter

Mercedes EQS SUV Falls In Line

Like the other Mercedes prototypes captured through the lens of our spy photographers, the facelift of the EQS SUV will feature revised daytime running light graphics, with a three-pointed star motif appearing in the headlights. The taillights, at least on this prototype, are unchanged. Since there’s camouflage on the bumpers, we can expect some subtle changes in those areas too; our spies say the front “grille” panel will be revised.

The X296 EQS SUV has only been on the market since 2022, and as is the case with the sedan that shares its name, customer interest in the all-electric SUV has been low. These subtle styling updates will aim to bring the EQS more in line with the styling of conventional Mercs to help reverse that disinterest, and there’ll be more changes beneath the skin.

CLA Technology Promises More Performance

The current EQS SUV offers an EPA-estimated maximum range of up to 323 miles, but the future models are expected to exceed that with the same sort of battery as the recently launched CLA, which set a world record for EVs by covering 2,309 miles in 24 hours last year. The compact sedan has an 85-kWh battery with anodes made of silicon oxide mixed with graphite, something Mercedes says increases energy density by as much as 20 percent compared to previous batteries, so the new EQS should exceed 350 miles of range in most forms.

The EQS is also expected to feature eATS 2.0 motors, delivering more power and efficiency from the modified EVA2M architecture, which supports 800-volt technology. Our spies say the new EQS will be presented at IAA Mobility 2025, taking place from 9-14 September, so we’ll know more soon. Still, despite these improvements, the EQS may not be successful.

The EQS Is Struggling To Find Buyers

Some reports indicate the EQS name will disappear altogether, and even Mercedes admits that it made mistakes in the EV space. Recently, CarBuzz reported that Mercedes is closing its U.S. order books for the EQE and EQS sedans and SUVs, halting production from September 1. No timeline for a return was announced, but with huge price cuts of over $10,000 on some models, it seems that Mercedes has more inventory than it knows what to do with. With EV incentives going away at the end of September, shifting the EQS will be even tougher for dealers, and we doubt the facelifted model will fare much better. Then again, a lot can change between now and next year, when the 2027 EQS is expected to reach the market.