Mercedes EVs will get several thousand dollars more affordable
Mercedes-Benz brought the EQS to market in 2021. Since then, it’s been plagued by lukewarm critical reception and less-than-remarkable sales figures. The vehicle was the Stuttgart-based automaker’s first foray into mainstream EVs. More importantly, its arrival heralded Benz’s dramatic shift towards electrifying all its products. Both decisions might have been a bit premature, and fast-forwarding to today, we see the pendulum swinging the other way.
First, pricing. Information originally leaked via a dealer employee on TikTok. Still, it was later confirmed by the automaker via Motor1 that almost anything with an EQ badge is getting a hefty price cut for the 2026 model year. The 2026 Mercedes-Benz EQE sedan is now available starting at $66,100, a $9,950 reduction. The EQS sedan sees a decidedly less dramatic trim, shedding $4,150 and still starting just over six figures.
Meanwhile, electrified SUVs see substantial slashes. The 2026 EQE SUV drops by $12,950, now commanding $66,100, and the range-topping EQS SUV sees the most significant drop of all. Its new MSRP of $91,100 is a tremendous $15,300 less than what the 2025 model year vehicle retailed for. The only Mercedes-Benz EQ vehicle left unscathed is the compact EQB SUV, which was already the entry-level model at $53,050.
Mercedes-Benz EQ line becomes more competitive
Mercedes-Benz
Aside from EV rebates, the EQ lineup becomes immediately much more competitive with a price drop. At around $90,000, the EQS SUV is a direct rival to the lauded BMW iX, offering a similar range, slightly less power, and more standard luxury features, including ventilated seats and rear seat pillows. The EQE Sedan now costs less than its direct competitor, the BMW i5. Simultaneously, the base car offers more torque and range than the standard i5. That said, we could start to see sales rise. Of course, all this is likely to tank prices on the secondhand market even further, so you might do even better there.
Final thoughts
While most Mercedes EQ models aren’t particularly well-loved — blame their bulbous styling — a price drop might be just what the cars need to get their footing in the market. Unfortunately, it comes at a time when the path forward for electrification is murkier than ever. Assuming the EV market doesn’t completely evaporate with the tax incentives, we can expect the car to sell better into 2026 as Mercedes supplements its electrified lineup with models like the EV GLC and CLA.