The price of owning a Mercedes electric vehicle has changed dramatically in just a few years.
Some 2022 Mercedes EVs that originally sold for $50,000, $60,000 or even more than $100,000 are now available on the used market for a fraction of their original prices. That makes older Mercedes-EQ models increasingly tempting for buyers who want a luxury EV without paying today’s new-car prices.
But there is an important catch.
A cheap used electric Mercedes is still a luxury vehicle underneath. Buyers need to look beyond the sticker price and consider battery health, charging capability, warranty coverage, mileage and potential repair costs.
For shoppers willing to do their homework, however, the depreciation creates some surprisingly interesting opportunities.
2022 Mercedes EVs Are Now Much Cheaper
The 2022 Mercedes-EQ lineup included two particularly notable electric vehicles: the compact EQB SUV and the flagship EQS sedan.
Their used values have fallen sharply.
Current national-average Kelley Blue Book figures put a 2022 EQB 300 4MATIC at roughly $24,300, while an EQB 350 4MATIC is around $22,700, depending on condition and other factors.
The numbers are even more striking with the EQS.
A 2022 EQS 450+ is currently valued at roughly $34,200, while an EQS 580 4MATIC is around $41,500 in comparable national-average used-market estimates.
Those figures are estimates, not fixed selling prices. Mileage, condition, location, equipment, ownership history and dealer pricing can all make a substantial difference.
Still, the depreciation is difficult to ignore.
A 2022 EQS 450+, for example, started at more than $100,000 when new. Several years later, buyers can find examples priced at roughly one-third of that original figure.
That changes who can realistically consider the car.
Why Are 2022 Mercedes EVs Losing So Much Value?
The biggest reason is not necessarily that these cars have suddenly become bad vehicles.
The used market has changed quickly.
Electric-vehicle prices have been under pressure as manufacturers have introduced newer models, offered incentives and adjusted pricing on new EVs. That has affected resale values across the segment, with expensive luxury EVs particularly exposed to depreciation.
There is another factor: technology moves quickly.
A buyer looking at a 2022 EV today is comparing it with vehicles that may offer newer software, improved charging performance, longer ranges or updated interiors.
That makes an older luxury EV harder to sell at anything close to its original price.
For secondhand buyers, though, depreciation can work in the opposite direction.
The first owner absorbs much of the financial hit. A later buyer gets access to the same basic vehicle at a substantially lower entry price.
The 2022 EQB May Be the Smarter Everyday Buy
The EQB is arguably the easier 2022 Mercedes EV to justify as a used vehicle.
It has the familiar shape of a compact SUV rather than the low-slung profile of a traditional luxury sedan. That gives it broader appeal for buyers who need an electric vehicle for commuting, shopping and family use.
The EQB 300 4MATIC produces 225 horsepower and 288 lb-ft of torque, while the EQB 350 4MATIC increases output to 288 horsepower and 384 lb-ft.
Both versions use all-wheel drive.
Range varies by version. The EQB 300 was EPA-rated for 243 miles, while the more powerful EQB 350 was rated at 227 miles.
Those figures are perfectly usable for many daily driving situations, although newer EVs have raised expectations for range and charging speed.
The EQB’s relatively compact battery and SUV packaging also mean it should be considered primarily as an everyday EV rather than a long-distance road-trip specialist.
For someone who can charge at home, that may not be a major drawback.
The EQS Is Where Depreciation Gets Really Interesting
If the EQB is the practical choice, the EQS is the eye-catching one.
When Mercedes launched the EQS, it was positioned as a technological flagship for the company’s electric range. It offered a quiet cabin, substantial battery capacity, strong performance and a level of equipment expected from a premium Mercedes sedan.
Today, its used price tells a very different story.
The 2022 EQS 450+ offered a long-range setup, while the EQS 580 4MATIC added all-wheel drive and considerably more power.
The EQS 580 was EPA-rated for 340 miles of range, an impressive number for a luxury EV of its era.
That long-distance ability remains one of the strongest arguments for buying a used EQS.
The bigger question is whether the buyer is comfortable owning a heavily depreciated flagship.
A $40,000 used EQS may look like a bargain beside its original six-figure price, but it should not be treated like a $40,000 mainstream sedan when it comes to maintenance and repairs.
A Low Used Price Doesn’t Mean Low Ownership Costs
This is probably the most important point for anyone considering a 2022 Mercedes EV.
Electric vehicles generally have fewer routine powertrain maintenance requirements than gasoline cars. There is no conventional engine oil to replace, and several traditional engine components simply aren’t present.
That doesn’t make a luxury EV inexpensive to own in every respect.
The EQS, in particular, contains a large amount of electronic equipment and luxury hardware. Tires, suspension components, climate-control systems, electronics and other repairs can still become expensive.
Insurance should also be checked before buying.
A prospective owner should get an insurance quote using the vehicle identification number before committing to a purchase. The monthly premium can make a meaningful difference to the real cost of ownership.
Battery Condition Matters More Than Mileage Alone
Used-EV shoppers have another question that gasoline-car buyers don’t face to the same degree: how healthy is the battery?
A 2022 Mercedes EV is not automatically suffering from serious battery degradation simply because it is several years old. Modern EV battery packs are designed to last for many years.
Still, buyers should verify the vehicle’s battery and high-voltage system condition.
Ask for service records. Confirm remaining battery warranty coverage. Check that the car charges properly on both AC and DC charging when possible.
A professional inspection before purchase is especially valuable when buying an expensive luxury EV that has already experienced significant depreciation.
How the EQB and EQS Compare With Newer EVs
The biggest disadvantage of a 2022 Mercedes EV is age.
Newer electric vehicles can offer faster charging, improved software, more efficient battery systems and updated driver-assistance technology. Some also provide considerably more range for similar money.
That doesn’t make the Mercedes obsolete.
The EQB still offers a premium interior, all-wheel drive and familiar SUV practicality. The EQS offers something even harder to duplicate at today’s used prices: flagship-level luxury combined with serious electric range.
The key is understanding what you’re buying.
A used 2022 EQS should be viewed as a heavily depreciated luxury flagship, not simply as a cheap EV.
What Buyers Should Check Before Buying
Anyone shopping for a 2022 Mercedes EV should inspect the vehicle carefully rather than choosing solely by advertised price.
Pay particular attention to:
- Battery and high-voltage system condition
- Remaining battery warranty
- Charging operation
- Service and accident history
- Tire wear and replacement costs
- Infotainment and electronic functions
- Driver-assistance features
- Suspension and brake condition
- Included charging equipment
- Insurance cost
It is also worth comparing several vehicles with similar mileage and equipment.
A car that costs a few thousand dollars more but has significantly lower mileage, a cleaner history and better condition may ultimately be the better purchase.
So, Is a 2022 Mercedes EV Worth Buying?
For the right buyer, the answer can be yes.
The 2022 Mercedes EV market has reached an interesting point. These vehicles are old enough to have suffered substantial depreciation but new enough to offer modern EV performance, premium interiors and useful driving ranges.
The EQB makes the stronger case for practicality and everyday use. The EQS is the more dramatic bargain, especially for buyers who want luxury and long-distance capability without paying anything close to its original price.
But the cheapest example isn’t automatically the best deal.
Before buying, check the battery, warranty, service history and overall condition. Factor in insurance and the possibility of luxury-car repair bills. And make sure the vehicle’s charging capability fits your driving habits.
For shoppers who do that homework, today’s used market could make a 2022 Mercedes EV one of the more intriguing ways to enter luxury electric driving without taking the enormous depreciation hit that came with buying one new.