Revealed in September last year, the 2022 Mercedes-AMG EQS sedan is notable for being the first battery-electric production model from AMG. A true Tesla Model S Plaid rival, the AMG EQS trades some of the Plaid's remarkable performance for a more luxurious, high-quality interior. Although this exclusive niche of the market isn't as price sensitive, we've been waiting for months to find out how much the AMG EQS would cost. Mercedes has now satisfied our curiosity and released the starting price for the new AMG EQS, and the good news is that it begins at a little less than we anticipated. It's still pricier than its Tesla rival, though.

We estimated that the EQS AMG would start at between $150,000 and $160,000, and can now confirm that it will begin at $147,500 excluding the destination charge of $1,050. With Tesla's series of price hikes in recent months, the Model S Plaid now begins at $135,990. However, the AMG EQS should qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500. Because Tesla models no longer qualify for this, that would effectively bring the price difference between the two cars to just $4,010. The Lucid Air is also worth consideration, and comparable models include the Air Grand Touring ($139,000 before incentives) and the Air Dream Edition ($169,000).

The Mercedes-AMG EQS comes in two trim levels: Exclusive and Pinnacle. There's only a small price difference between the EQS 450+ Exclusive and Pinnacle trims, so we don't expect the AMG EQS Pinnacle to go for much more than $150,000. With 649 horsepower and the 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system, the AMG EQS will hit 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. To sweeten the deal, Mercedes will throw in complimentary 30-minute DC fast charging with Electrify America for 24 months. It may not be the quickest electric sedan at the price, but the AMG EQS combines luxury and performance like few other sedans. It will arrive at local dealerships in late spring of 2022.