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2026 Mercedes-Benz EQS Facelift Debuts - 926km Range, Steer-By-Wire, 800V Architecture
German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled the second facelift for its flagship electric sedan, the EQS. The updated 2026 Mercedes-Benz EQS brings a significant hardware overhaul, highlighted by a jump to an 800-volt electrical architecture, a claimed range of up to 926 km on the WLTP cycle, and the introduction of optional steer-by-wire technology.
2026 Mercedes-Benz EQS Facelift: Design Updates
Visually, this is the more assertive facelift of the two that the EQS has received to date. The luxury EV's bonnet gains power domes for a more dynamic stance, while the front grille now protrudes more prominently.
Two trim lines are available with the 2026 Mercedes EQS: the Electric Art Line brings a black insert with wide chrome slats and a backlit animated star pattern, along with an illuminated three-pointed star on the bonnet. The AMG Line replaces the chrome slats with a sportier grille housing a high-gloss illuminated central star.
Star-shaped LED daytime running lights are seen at the front of the 2026 EQS, accompanied by the latest generation of Digital Light. The new micro-LED units expand the lighting field by 40 per cent while consuming 50 per cent less energy.
New monoblock wheel designs feature across the range, while both the front and rear light bars have been made more prominent, with the rear unit incorporating the same helix elements found in the tail-lamps. Despite the bolder appearance, the EQS retains a drag coefficient as low as 0.20.
2026 Mercedes-Benz EQS Facelift: Variant Specifications
| Variant | Output | Drive | 0-100 km/h | Battery (kWh) | Range (WLTP) | DC Fast Charge | Range Added in 10 min |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EQS400 | 367 PS / 505 Nm | RWD | 6.2 sec | 112 | 817 km | 330 kW | 305 km |
| EQS450+ | 408 PS / 505 Nm | RWD | 5.9 sec | 122 | 926 km | 350 kW | 320 km |
| EQS500 4Matic | 476 PS / 750 Nm | AWD | 4.5 sec | 122 | 876 km | 350 kW | 305 km |
| EQS580 4Matic | 585 PS / 800 Nm | AWD | 4.1 sec | 122 | 876 km | 350 kW | 305 km |
All variants have a top speed of 210 km/h. AC charging is 11 kW standard, with a 22 kW onboard charger available as an option across the entire range.
2026 Mercedes-Benz EQS Facelift: 800V Architecture & 350kW Fast Charging
The most consequential update under the skin of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz EQS is the switch from a 400-volt to an 800-volt electrical architecture. This upgrade allows the EQS to support DC fast charging at up to 350 kW - one and half times the previous 200 kW ceiling - on the EQS450+, EQS500 4Matic, and EQS580 4Matic variants. If only a 400-volt charger is available, the battery virtually splits to charge up to 175 kW.
The battery cell chemistry for the EQS battery pack has also been revised, pushing usable energy content from 118 kWh to 122 kWh on three of the four variants. A new entry-level EQS400 joins the line-up with a 112 kWh pack and DC fast charging at up to 330 kW.
On the powertrain side, all variants get revised electric drive units (EDUs) that are more compact, efficient, and powerful and are now paired with a two-speed transmission. This allows the car to use the lower gear for rapid acceleration from standstill before shifting up for efficiency at higher speeds.
On 4Matic variants, a front EDU with a Disconnect Unit (DCU) decouples the front motor when it is not needed, switching the car to rear-wheel drive to preserve range. Energy recuperation capacity has also been increased from 290 kW to 385 kW, and the EQS battery now supports both vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) functionality.
2026 Mercedes-Benz EQS Facelift: First German Production Car With Steer-By-Wire
Mercedes-Benz claims it is the first German automaker to offer full steer-by-wire technology in a series-production vehicle. Available as an option a few months after the new EQS goes on sale, the system does away with any mechanical link between the steering wheel and the front wheels.
A motor interprets the driver's input and delivers steering actuation with an infinitely variable ratio, meaning the car's computer adjusts how much steering is dialled in depending on speed and drive mode.
The steer-by-wire system requires just 170 degrees of steering from lock to lock, which makes the yoke-style steering wheel a practical fit - the smaller wheel also improves visibility of the driver display and makes getting in and out of the car easier. For redundancy, two sets of DC-DC converters, power supplies, communication circuits, and motors are fitted, so if one path fails, the other takes over immediately.
Opting for steer-by-wire also brings rear-wheel steering that allows the rear wheels to turn up to 10 degrees. The standard rear-wheel steering system on the EQS is limited to 4.5 degrees unless upgraded via a software option that brings it to the same 10 degrees.
Customers who prefer a conventional steering wheel can still have one, with electromechanical steering remaining available across the range.
2026 Mercedes-Benz EQS Facelift: Features & Driver Assistance
Inside, the MBUX Hyperscreen's triple display layout carries over: a 12.3-inch driver's display, a 17.7-inch central touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch passenger display up front, with two 13.1-inch rear touchscreens for back-seat occupants.
Heated seatbelts - a feature borrowed from the S-Class - are new, as are inflatable rear belt bags for improved occupant protection during an impact. Mercedes-Benz has also fitted a HEPA filter under the bonnet that the brand claims filters out over 99.65 per cent of airborne particles.
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz EQS draws on ten external cameras, up to five radar sensors, and 12 ultrasonic sensors to support its suite of driver assistance systems. MB.Drive Parking Assist now supports diagonal parking and can perform automated manoeuvres at speeds of up to 5 km/h - approximately 60 per cent faster than before. The 360-degree camera system has also been upgraded with a redesigned interface.
The Airmatic air suspension with intelligent damper control has been revised for improved ride comfort, while car-to-X communication allows the EQS to receive road hazard data from other compatible vehicles.
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