Driving Journal: 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan

Week 4 Driving Journal:

2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan
By Keith Justis (KJ), Product and Technology Specialist at Mercedes-Benz of Music City

As part of our ongoing series exploring the newest Mercedes-Benz models, I’ve spent this past week living with the 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan to bring you an insider’s perspective. Here’s my daily journal showcasing how this luxury electric flagship performs living and working in Nashville.

Day 1: Monday – First Impressions and Morning Commute

7:45 AM – The Gulch Starting my week with the EQS 450 parked inside my Gulch area garage. The vehicle greeted me with a silent cabin that’s already pre-conditioned to 72°F despite Nashville’s 85°F morning heat. The 118 kWh lithium-ion battery shows 348 miles of estimated range—more than enough for my daily needs.

Technical Note: The EQS employs Mercedes-Benz’s EVA2 platform with a single permanent magnet synchronous motor producing 355 horsepower and 419 lb-ft of torque. The battery pack is positioned low in the floor, providing a center of gravity 2.5 inches lower than the S-Class.

8:00 AM – Commute to Mercedes-Benz of Music City The 12-mile drive from downtown Nashville to our Envious Lane showroom highlights the EQS’s refined highway manners. Merging onto I-65 North, the instant torque delivery is remarkable—zero drama, just seamless acceleration. The active noise cancellation keeps the cabin library-quiet even at highway speeds.

Nashville Observation: The EQS’s one-pedal driving feature works brilliantly in Nashville’s stop-and-go traffic. Lifting off the accelerator provides smooth deceleration that rarely requires brake pedal input, perfect for our Music Row congestion.

8:15 AM – Arrival at Dealership Arrived with 336 miles remaining (12 miles used) and connected to our Level 3 charging station in our parking area. The Mercedes -Benz app using MB.CHARGE Public got the session underway.

Day 2: Tuesday – Technology Deep Dive

Technical Note: The 2025 EQS features the latest MBUX Hyperscreen—a 56-inch curved glass surface spanning the entire dashboard width. The system includes three displays: 12.3-inch driver display, 17.7-inch central display, and 12.3-inch passenger display, all running on NVIDIA processors.

7:30 AM – Morning Drive Today’s commute provided an opportunity to explore the MBUX voice assistant improvements. “Hey Mercedes, navigate to work using the most efficient route” resulted in a path through Hillsboro Village that saved an estimated 8 miles of range compared to the interstate route.

Nashville Observation: The EQS’s air suspension automatically adjusts for Nashville’s notorious potholes. The road preview function uses front cameras to prepare the suspension for upcoming road imperfections—particularly valuable on our perpetually under-construction streets.

6:45 PM – Evening Plans: Dinner at The 404. Used the Mercedes me app to pre-condition the cabin while finishing up paperwork. The EQS was perfectly cooled when I stepped outside into Nashville’s humid evening air. The 22-way power front seats with massage function made the drive through evening traffic a relaxing experience rather than a chore.

Technical Note: The EQS 450 achieves an EPA-estimated 350 miles of range and 103 MPGe combined. The heat pump system maintains efficiency in varying climates, crucial for Nashville’s temperature swings.

Day 3: Wednesday – Range Testing and Fast Charging

10:30 AM – Extended Range Test With a full charge (350 miles displayed), I decided to test the EQS’s real-world range capability. Departed for a drive through Tennessee’s scenic highways, heading toward Franklin and beyond.

Nashville Observation: The EQS’s regenerative braking system is perfectly calibrated for Tennessee’s rolling hills. Descending into valleys actually adds range back to the battery, making hilly Nashville-area driving more efficient than flat terrain.

2:15 PM – DC Fast Charging Experience Stopped at the Electrify America station in Cool Springs with 28% battery remaining. The EQS accepted up to 200kW of charging power, adding 180 miles of range in just 22 minutes. The charging port’s illuminated ring provides a clear status indication—glowing blue while it was charging.

Technical Note: The EQS features 400V architecture with peak DC charging rates up to 200kW. The battery thermal management system pre-conditions the pack when navigation is set to a charging station, optimizing charging speeds.

8:30 PM – Dinner at Cafe Roze in East Nashville The EQS’s silent operation is particularly noticeable in East Nashville’s quieter neighborhoods. Parking the sedan draws curious looks—the distinctive light signature and flush door handles create an unmistakably futuristic presence on these tree-lined streets.

Day 4: Thursday – Nashville Nightlife and Urban Driving

7:45 PM – The Gulch to Music Row Exploring Nashville’s music scene in near-silence provides a unique perspective. The EQS’s cabin isolation allows you to appreciate the city’s ambient sounds—from distant music venues to the subtle sounds of nightlife—without road or engine noise interference.

Technical Note: The Burmester 4D surround sound system features 15 speakers and 710 watts of power. The “4D” designation refers to tactile bass transducers in the seats that add physical dimension to audio reproduction.

10:15 PM – Late Night Drive Through the Gulch The ambient lighting system creates a sophisticated cabin atmosphere perfect for Nashville’s nighttime energy. The 64-color LED ambient lighting adapts to driving modes and can be synchronized with the audio system for an immersive experience.

Day 5: Friday – Weekend Preparation and Performance

8:00 AM – Commute with Podcast Focus The EQS’s active noise cancellation makes it an ideal environment for podcasts and audio content. The crystal-clear sound reproduction and absence of engine noise create a mobile audio studio experience during the morning drive.

Technical Note: The EQS 450 accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds despite weighing 5,621 pounds. The instant torque delivery provides effortless acceleration from any speed, making highway merging and passing maneuvers completely stress-free.

6:30 PM – Weekend Grocery Run to Whole Foods The EQS’s 22 cubic feet of trunk space easily accommodates a full weekend grocery run. The hands-free trunk opening activated
perfectly when approaching with arms full of shopping bags. The low loading height makes it easy to load heavy items.

Nashville Observation: The EQS generates zero local emissions, making it particularly suitable for Nashville’s air quality initiatives. Metro Nashville and Davidson County has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions – both at the municipal and community levels – by 80% by 2050. Electric Vehicles (EV’s) like the EQS contribute significantly to achieving the Cities goals.

Day 6: Saturday – Music Square and Belmont University Area

8:30 AM – Morning Run Preparation Used the EQS to drive to my favorite running route around Music Square and the Belmont University area. Parked near the Belmont campus with 89% charge remaining after five days of regular use around Nashville.

Technical Note: The EQS’s battery management system shows impressive consistency. After 127 miles of mixed Nashville driving, the vehicle’s range predictions have proven accurate within 3% of actual consumption.

10:45 AM – Post-Run Coffee at Bongo Java’s Belmont The EQS’s keyless go system means I never need to fumble with keys during active lifestyle activities. The proximity sensors detect the key fob and automatically unlock the vehicle as I approach, sweaty running gear and all.

Nashville Observation: The Belmont area’s mix of students and young professionals consistently show interest in the EQS. Several passersby asked about charging logistics and range capabilities—clear indicators of growing EV interest among Nashville’s younger demographics.

2:30 PM – Afternoon at the Parthenon and Centennial Park The EQS’s panoramic sunroof provides an expansive view of Nashville’s tree canopy during the drive through Centennial Park area.The automatic sun shade can be closed by simply saying “Hey Mercedes, close the roller sun shade”, managing cabin temperature while still allowing some light to brighten the cabin.

Day 7: Sunday – Full Nashville Experience

11:00 AM – Brunch in 12th South District Sunday brunch at Bartaco in 12th South provided another opportunity to experience the EQS’s urban maneuverability. Despite its 207.4-inch length, the sedan navigates Nashville’s narrow side streets with confidence thanks to the 360-degree camera system and parking assist features.

Technical Note: The EQS features Mercedes-Benz’s latest E-Active Body Control system with adaptive damping. The system can individually control each wheel’s suspension, providing both comfort on Nashville’s varied road surfaces and stability during dynamic driving.

1:45 PM – Afternoon at the Country Music Hall of Fame Parked in the downtown garage with valet service. The EQS’s ultra-quiet operation is particularly noticeable in enclosed parking structures—no engine noise echoing off concrete walls, just the subtle whir of the ventilation system.

Nashville Observation: Downtown Nashville’s growing charging infrastructure makes EV ownership increasingly practical. The EQS’s nav system shows 17 public charging locations within a 5-mile radius of downtown, including several high-speed DC options.

4:30 PM – Final Drive Through The Gulch Concluding my week-long evaluation with a leisurely drive through Nashville’s most modern neighborhood. The EQS feels perfectly at home among The Gulch’s contemporary architecture and forward-thinking atmosphere.

Week Summary Statistics:

Please Note: These figures shown are representations and actual values may vary based on individual driving and choices made for charging sessions.

● Total Miles Driven: 284 miles
● Energy Consumption: 97 kWh
● Efficiency: 2.93 miles/kWh (117 MPGe)
● Charging Sessions: 5 (primarily at dealership)
● Public Charging: 1 session (Cool Springs)
● Total Charging Cost: $31.40
● Equivalent Gasoline Cost: $92.50
● Range Anxiety Incidents: 0

Technical Summary: The 2025 EQS 450 delivered exactly what Mercedes-Benz promised—luxury electric mobility without compromise. The 348-mile EPA range proved accurate in real-world Nashville driving conditions, while the advanced MBUX system and comfort features maintained the brand’s reputation for luxury innovation.

Nashville Lifestyle Integration: The EQS adapts seamlessly to Nashville’s unique rhythm—from morning rush hour commutes to late-night music venue visits. The combination of silent operation, instant acceleration, and sophisticated technology feels perfectly suited to our city’s blend of Southern tradition and modern innovation.

The vehicle returned to Mercedes-Benz of Music City with 23% charge remaining (81 miles) after a full week of typical Nashville lifestyle driving, proving that range anxiety is largely a thing of the past for luxury EV adopters in our market.

Note from the Author:

I’m KJ and it has been my pleasure to take you on this driving adventure and to share these experiences. Please join me next time as I will continue this series exploring the newest Mercedes-Benz models as I add to my daily journal showcasing how our vehicles perform across the diverse and exciting sights and sounds of Nashville.

To schedule your own test drive experience with the 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan, visit our showroom at 734 Envious Lane Nashville, go to our website at www.mbofmc.com mbofmc.com or call our sales team at Mercedes-Benz of Music City – 615-727-6262.