Lucid Air vs. Tesla Model S vs. Mercedes-Benz EQS: Edmunds Super-EV Comparison
Edmunds recently compared the Tesla Model S against the Lucid Air and the new Mercedes-Benz EQS vehicles. While the electric vehicle market is on fire, these three EVs get compared a lot. Which one of the cars did Edmunds like the most? The experts compared the flagship models of each EV to see.
Range: Lucid Air vs. Tesla Model S vs. Mercedes-Benz EQS
Edmunds says the shift to electric vehicles will be a gradual one, but it has already begun. For a few years, Tesla had a hold on the market with the Model S as it was the only trendy EV around. But those days are officially over with the Lucid Air and the Mercedes-Benz EQS.
The Lucid Air Dream Edition comes in both a Range and Performance edition. The Dream Edition Range is the one in the news with 520 miles of range. The Performance version offers 471 miles on a charge.
When it comes to the Model S, the Plaid is all about performance. The Plaid gets 396 miles of range with 19-inch wheels. The range goes down to 348 miles with the 21-inch wheels. The Long Range gets 405 miles with the 19-inch wheels (375 miles with the 21-inch wheels).
When it comes to the Mercedes-Benz EQS, Edmunds notes that the EPA hasn’t yet verified it. According to the European WLTP cycle, the EQS 580 4Matic should get around 420 miles on a charge. The WLTP rating tends to be a bit more forgiving than the EPA rating. Edmunds says it could go below 400 miles when rated by the EPA.
Power: Tesla Model S vs. Lucid Air vs. Mercedes-Benz EQS
This is where the Tesla Model S pulls ahead, literally. The Model S Plaid offers 1,020 hp and a 0-60 mph time of 2.3 seconds. It is the fastest car Edmunds has ever tested, according to the experts there. When it comes to the Lucid Air Dream Edition Range, this super electric car gets 933 hp. The Lucid Air Dream Edition Performance offers 1,111 hp but has a shorter 0-60 mph time of 2.5 seconds.
As far as the EQS goes, the AMG EQS has 649 hp. Mercedes is also offering an optional overboost function which delivers 751 hp. The EQS 580 4Matic gets 516 hp and 611 lb-ft of torque. The estimated 0-60 mph time is 4.1 seconds, significantly slower than the other two options.
When it comes down to it, some buyers might prefer the Tesla for its mind-boggling performance. The Lucid is the most up-to-date EV hitting the market soon, and the EQS is right there with it. It might come down to brand loyalty for some buyers.
What’s the consensus on these super electric vehicles?
Edmunds suggests that the most important number of this equation is the price. The Lucid Air is the most expensive, starting at $169,000 for the Dream Edition. The Range and Performance editions both cost the same.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4Matic Pinnacle model came in at $126,360. The Tesla Model S Plaid starts at $129,990. If you want Full Self-Driving, that’s another $10,000. Since all of these options are at the same price range, this might not have much of an impact on things. The Lucid EV is more expensive, but it doesn’t seem very important when you are already over $150,000. The Tesla might not be as luxurious as the Lucid Air or the EQS, but it sure is fast.
