c4004matic

I had an appointment for my GLS, and they had a 450 to drive!Highlights:The ride is splendid in any mode.Handling in sport mode is excellent. It's not "sporty" it simply goes and does whatever you ask of it without fuss and with utter confidence.​​​​​​​Despite all the BS you hear in reviews, the brakes feel and work completely normal....in intelligent mode. In fact, there is absolutely no reason to use any other setting, so I kept it in intelligent mode for the entire test.​​​​​​​Its fast, even better; acceleration is effortless at any speed. As is expected, it's quiet.​​​​​​​The rear is comfortable; it's not vast as an S class, but a very comfortable area for anyone 6ft or less.​​​​​​​The hyperscreen is great, but the fact is I could care less. As an interface its simply a more user-friendly, bigger MBUX. The capacitatative controls work flawlessly, better yet, given how they are placed on the steering, I never activated anything by mistake. I spent an hour flogging it, and I used 2% battery.​​​​​​​Fabulous car from every angle.​​​​​​​Lastly, it's beautiful in the dark blue.​​​​​​​The noise generator in sport mode is actually useful given you feedback without being obstrussive or annoying.​​​​​​​I would take it over an S class any day.

Rohitgarewal

It sounds like you found a 450 with the hyperscreen. Out of curiosity, @c4004matic where are you located, and what was the dealership asking for the car?

c4004matic

Correct. It also had the AMG exterior. Very nice indeed. Dealer is enterprise motorcars in appleton WI.

svp6

I'll race you to the dealership . While I really want a 580, I am considering a 450 with hyperscreen given the long wait time.

c4004matic

If you live somewhere with only occasional snow, the 450 should be plenty. The traction control system seems splendid! It was 3 degrees here and the car had summer tires, still it handled perfectly. I broke it loose while goosing it on a tight traffic circle and it caught the slide as if by magic basically instantly. The car handles extrordinarily well for the boat it really is. Floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee!😁

stealth.pilot

That breaking loose is precisely why I wouldn't want it. It can also happen in rain not just in cold weather environments. Plus it's too slow from my perspective.

c4004matic

5.5 seconds slow?​​​​​​​ Thats faster than most, if not all, "non-sport" cars! On the road and more than plenty for "normal" driving. Its faster than an S2000! A car that could barely get 6 seconds to 60 without eating its clutch ​​​​​​​Predictable, controlable power oversteer in a car that has 50:50 weight distribution is one of the most fun handling characteristics any car can have. The definition of what is fast has become idiotic. Based on very limited production cars that no one or very few will ever have!

stealth.pilot

The last car I bought (for myself) with a 0-60 time over 5 seconds was the 2008 Lexus GS460. My recent cars have been things like BMW M5, Jaguar F-Type R, Porsche 911 Turbo S, Porsche Panamera Turbo S. I don't care about acceleration uniquely vs broader characteristics - I am not a Tesla Plaid buyer - but I do think that the EQS580 is the minimum performance level I would be interested in.

c4004matic

I ordered a 580 given that I live in the snow belt, but after driving the 450 I have to admit it has plenty of thrust. Unlike ICE engines, that instant torque you get at any speed makes the car feel powerful regardless of velocity. Has anyone realized that the 580 is as fast as a 2000s Corvette Z06, a road legal race car or a previous gen E63? These things are ridiculously fast. Im pretty sure that you can't get the 580 sideways. Its like my 43, unless you're on a track, it's impossible to drift because of the AWD.

stealth.pilot

The 580 is a great median. It has the performance, it has the stability and predictability of AWD, it has the luxury quilted leather seats and it has a comfortable ride. I find it more compelling than the AMG model. The only thing I prefer about the AMG model is the grille. I may get that added because I find the non-AMG grille to be ugly - it reminds me of the 2012 Tesla Model S with that stupid piece of black plastic on the front.

Acta_Non_Verba

I haven't test driven the 580 yet, but did test the 450+. I concluded - nice car, nice appointments, it has about "average" performance specs and feels that way to me. My first comment after the test drive is that it felt about the same as my wife's F-Pace 35T which comes in at 340hp. Then looking at performance specs from professional road tests (0-60; 1/4 mile, etc.), these two cars are, in fact, about the same.

Like other comments, I would probably opt for the 580 if I were in the market right now. Seems like all my life I've owned a performance car(s) and an average car(s). I don't need to have everything I own do 0-60 in 3.0s. but if we were replacing the F-Pace and no longer needed an SUV, the 450 could work as a replacement for my wife. She drove it too and liked it...a little more than I did.