Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Used Car Are Cheaper Than Tesla Model Y

If you have a large family or want to be there for your friends when they need a ride, a three-row US-sized SUV like the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV could make sense. From a purely financial perspective, a new Model Y Long Range with the seven-seat option would be better because it costs half as much as the Merc. But here’s the kicker: things drastically change when you add used Mercedes-Benz EQS SUVs to your radar.
 

The obvious answer for any American interested in owning a zero-tailpipe emission commuting appliance is Tesla’s Model 3. Be it new or with a few thousand miles on the clock, this sedan has proven itself to be one of the best cars for anyone without a passion for motoring or a desire for a premium behind-the-wheel experience. It just works, and getting the hang of an EV-only lifestyle is very easy with that car.
 
You don’t need apps like PlugShare or to do much research about the car. Everything’s on that center touchscreen, including the useful Trip Planner that simplifies longer journeys. The fact that it has native access to the Supercharger network also helps a lot.
 
But for Americans who can only afford one battery-electric vehicle or want a car (and not a conventional minivan) that can do it all, a sedan isn’t the ideal pick. A three-row eSUV makes a lot more sense. Tesla, believe it or not, has you covered yet again.
 
When writing, the cheapest Model Y costs $44,990. But if you want space for seven people, you’ll need the dual-motor version that has an MSRP of $47,990. The upgrade to three rows of seats costs $2,000, but the EV is eligible for the full federal EV tax credit of $7,500. If you qualify for the perk, the three-row EV costs $42,490 sans tax and fees.
 
Sounds pretty nice, doesn’t it? It’s not for nothing that this quirky little thing managed to become the world’s best-selling vehicle last year. Do note that we didn’t say the world’s best-selling EV. Tesla’s Model Y was more popular globally than even Toyota’s RAV4.
 
Maximum value
The Model Y is forced under the $25,000 threshold on the used car market because dealers want to access the used EV tax credit, equivalent to 30 percent of the sale price ($4,000 maximum). However, be aware that you need to qualify for this one, too.
 
It’s also true that middlemen aren’t so keen on keeping too many EVs in their inventory. Even if it’s a Tesla, the tech in this automotive sector advances quite rapidly. Progress in the battery sector alone can diminish the value of relatively new EVs very quickly.
 
Model Y prices are also in a downtrend because prospective Tesla customers and existing brand loyalists are eagerly awaiting the Juniper refresh, which should come with a novel exterior design and the Model 3 Highland upgrades (better aero and suspension, colorful ambient lighting, and ventilated seats). Having a very controversial and outspoken person sitting at the top also does not do the brand any favors, but we’ll presume that doesn’t mean much when you want a reliable and budget-friendly commuting appliance.
 
However, it’s a bit unfair to talk so much about the Model Y when the point of this article is to show how much cheaper the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV has gotten. Moreover, the German all-electric three-row SUV, which, like its competitors, can also be bought as a two-row EV, is a true rival to the Model X, not the Model Y.
 
A brand-new Model X will set you back $79,990, which is just $10 off the EV tax credit MSRP limit. Again, if you can access it, that means the EV with falcon-wing doors will cost $72,490.
 
Choose the seven-seat layout ($3,500), and the EV tax credit is gone because the price climbs above the $80,000 MSRP limit. If you want captain chairs for the second row (the six-seat interior), you’ll have to scoop up $6,500.
 
On the secondary market, a dual-motor Model X costs between $20,000 and $70,000+. Given that EV batteries degrade over time and the falcon-wing doors have been kind of iffy, you’d be better off with a more recent unit. For your peace of mind, it’s recommended that you seriously consider only low-mileage post-2021 Model X EVs.
 

The three-pointed star strategy
Mercedes-Benz offers new car shoppers four versions of the EQS SUV:
– the EQS 450+ SUV – $104,400;
– the EQS 450 4Matic SUV – $107,400;
– the EQS 580 4Matic SUV – $127,350;
– the Maybach-ified EQS 680 SUV – $179,900.
 
Adding the third row of seats is an option, and it costs $1,250. It can’t be added to the most expensive EQS SUV, but that’s understandable. You’re not spending almost $200,000 to have kids ruining your swanky zero-tailpipe emission Mercedes-Maybach.
 
Since there is no single-motor Tesla Model X at the time of writing, the EQS 450 4Matic is the right one for comparison.
 
Tesla’s straightforward: buy the all-wheel-drive Model X, and you get an EV with 335 miles of EPA-rated range, a zero-to-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds, and a top speed of 149 mph. The world’s most valuable automaker doesn’t like to discuss hp figures unless they’re over the 1,000 threshold, but you should expect around 670 electric ponies to be available when the battery has a sufficient charge level and all systems are a go.
 
On the other side of the aisle, Mercedes-Benz says its dual-motor EQS 450 4Matic SUV has 355 hp and a zero-to-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds. For some reason, the Germans don’t think that range is important to show off to people using their configurator, but the EPA gives its secrets away: the newest iteration should cover 312 miles from 100 to a zero percent state of charge.
 
I could say that they’re very closely matched, but that would be an exaggeration. The Germans might have given up a bit on putting out very high-quality cars, but the EQS SUV is no match for the Model X. Everything feels superior to the touch inside the Merc. At the same time, the Model X is quicker and has native access to the Supercharger network. Don’t forget about those falcon-wing doors, too. They’re a neat trick! Kids love them.
 
Checking the secondary market
So, the new all-wheel-drive EQS SUV is more expensive than the Tesla, less capable, and not very convenient to charge on longer journeys without a CCS-to-NACS adapter. The Model X is clearly the superior choice if you can stomach not having the same fine cabin materials.
 
But let’s see what the used car market has to say. Our search revealed that pre-refresh EQS SUV prices start at $44,000 for the rear-wheel-drive version, while the dual-motor EV is available from around $52,000. That’s a hefty 50+ percent drop from MSRP. Considering that most customers who got one added at least a couple of options, the depreciation starts looking even wilder.
 
In addition, some dealers offer discounts if you choose to finance with them (at very good rates!).
 
There’s no other way to look at it: that’s new Model Y money. You can get a slightly used premium-luxury German electric SUV for the price of a Tesla that’s made to be as affordable as possible without hurting the brand’s profit margins.
 
Per the EPA, the pre-facelift version of the posh dual-motor EQS 450 4Matic SUV should cover 285 miles on a single charge. But add some degradation and the fact that you won’t fully charge every time, and the daily available range should be approximately 225 miles.
 
However, several real-world highway range tests have shown that the pre-facelift EQS SUV can comfortably cover more than 350 miles on a full battery. You should keep that in mind when shopping.
 
You’re not really going to miss much by going with a pre-refresh unit. The only thing Mercedes-Benz changed was the battery, which increased the usable energy holding capacity from 108.4 to 118 kWh.
 
Ultimately, don’t pity Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV owners. BMW iX buyers are going through the same thing. EV technology simply advances too fast because things need to get better as soon as possible without huge costs to manufacturers. Every time there’s a new EV from a manufacturer, there’s something so good about it that it makes the existing unit feel like an experiment. You can see it clearly at Porsche. The first-gen Taycan didn’t go very far on a single charge. The facelifted version has much more range, better tech, more cool options, and looks better than its predecessor.
 
For the time being, it looks like the smartest thing you can do as a prospective EV buyer is either lease a brand-new zero-tailpipe emission ride or shop used. There are plenty of sweet deals available.
 
I don’t know about you, but to me, the choice is relatively simple: I’d rather drive an electric Mercedes-Benz, BMW, or Porsche to work every day than a new Tesla.