A Complete Guide To The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

The Mercedes-Benz EQS is the German automaker’s most luxurious SUV in their relatively new electric EQ lineup. While the EQ line and Mercedes-Benz’s electric vehicle future has been called into question recently, the EQS SUV still has a job to do: be the best upscale EV in its class.

The EQS SUV has a big job to do. It’s poised to face down the likes of EV giants like Tesla and Rivian while also staying true to its roots as a dignified and classy Mercedes. In our guide, we’re going to go through all-things-EQS SUV. Not only are we going to discuss things like powertrain, pricing, style, and range, but we’re also going to pit it against two rivals and see who’s the best EV SUV out there. Will the EQS SUV live up to expectations or fall by the wayside? Read on, and we’ll find out what’s what with the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.

This guide provides comprehensive information provided by the manufacturer. HotCars sourced additional data for reliability (from J.D. Power), EPA gas mileage (Fueleconomy.gov), safety ratings (IIHS), and recalls (NHTSA). We evaluate five different metrics when determining a rating for each model. You can
read our Methodology page
for more information about how our rating system works.

What’s New For 2024?

The 2024 EQS SUV shares most of its front fascia design with the other EQ-line nameplates, chiefly the EQB. The EQS’s front end is largely dominated by its grille insert, which has recently been redesigned to pop a little bit better against the rest of the vehicle. On the insert’s flanks sit two air intakes and funneling air over the front wheels, thereby reducing drag. The sides of the EQS SUV take on a similar appearance to one of its main rivals, the Tesla Model X, exemplified by how the EQS SUV’s body line begins with the low-slung front end and sweeps up high into the rear end. Once you make it around the back, you’ll notice a single, thin LED tail light spanning the width of the rear end. At each end sit slightly enlarged sections of LED housing the brake lights and turn signals. The EQS SUV has wide hips and conveys the look of an upscale SUV typical of the current styles. The 2024 EQS SUV comes with a choice between three trim levels: the base EQS 450+, the mid-level EQS 450 4MATIC, and the range-topping EQS 580 4MATIC trim.

2024 Highlights

• Improved battery life and range
• Heat pump included as standard equipment
• 4MATIC all-wheel drive system now able to switch between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
• Soft-close doors are now standard
• Gigantic Hyperscreen infotainment screen now standard equipment

Exterior Dimensions

Specifications And Performance

To keep up with other high-end EVs and their extremely high power numbers, Mercedes-Benz has worked hard to ensure their EQS SUV can run with the best.

Performance Specifications

At base level, the EQS SUV 450+ comes with a 355 horsepower and 419 lb-ft torque powertrain. Stepping into the EQS 450 4MATIC will net you the same number of horses but amps the torque rating up to 590 lb-ft. Those with an affinity for shredding rubber will be most interested in the highest-grade EQS, the 580 4MATIC. At this grade, you’ll receive 536 horsepower and 633 lb-ft torque, enough to propel the EQS SUV from 0-60 MPH in 4.4 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 130 mph.

All three EQS grades utilize a direct-drive transmission and a 118 kWh battery pack, sporting 108.4 kWh of usable power. Trims sporting the 4MATIC denomination receive an all-wheel drive system, whereas the base EQS 450+ is rear-wheel drive. Driving range is reported to be 305 miles for the EQS 450+ and 285 miles for the all-wheel drive variants. Combined MPGe estimations sit at 85 MPGe for the 450+, 78 MPGe for the 450 4MATIC, and 75 MPGe for the 580 4MATIC.

Towing and Payload Capacities

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the EQS SUV wasn’t built to haul heavy loads. However, it can still manage an adequate maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds across all grades. Meaning you can take a small boat or camper for a weekend at the lake or campsite with ease. The EQS SUV’s payload maxes out at 1,169 pounds, not a shocking amount, but respectable nonetheless.

Off-Road Capabilities

The luxurious EQS SUV isn’t one to tear up the trails, but it can still provide enough off-road performance to get you through a sticky, or slippery, situation. Those who opt for a 4MATIC grade will enjoy all-wheel drive and an intelligent thrust vectoring capability, which will send power to all four wheels when needed and revert to rear-wheel drive when cruising to save battery charge. Minimum ground clearance for the EQS SUV comes in at 7.3 inches.

Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Charging Time And Range

Ever-important to the EV world is how fast you can charge up. Luckily, the EQS SUV offers above-average charging times across all three levels. As for total range, the RWD EQS 450+ boasts a maximum of 305 miles, and the 4MATIC grades, 450 4MATIC and 580 4MATIC, offer 285 miles.

Using level 1 charging will get you from 10 percent to 100 percent battery in about 61 hours, or shy of three days. The much more widely-used level 2 charging will achieve 10 percent to 80 percent battery life in about 10.5 hours, and level 3 fast charging will manage the same percentage in roughly 31 minutes.

Mercedes-Benz includes a free Wallbox charger for home use with any purchase of a new EV. Using the Mercedes me Charge app will also allow you to access the over 60,000 charging kiosks throughout the US.

Interior Technology, Luxury, And Comfort

Best Interior Features Of The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

• MBUX-powered Hyperscreen full-dashboard infotainment screen now standard
• Optional ambient noises
• Standard heated front seats, optional for second and third rows
• Standard dual moonroof
• Real wood and metal are used throughout

Mercedes’ interiors are usually a light and airy experience, mixed with lashings of real wood, leather, and other high-quality materials. The EQS is no exception to this reputation, itself sporting a good amount of the aforementioned real metal and wood, most notably on the star-patterned center console and sculpted, circular HVAC vents.

It’s hard to miss the new Hyperscreen, which takes up the majority of the EQS SUV’s dashboard. It features a curved design and is well-blended into the overall dashboard design. Those who find themselves in a state of perpetual chilliness will be glad to hear the EQS SUV comes with standard heated seats, although you’ll have to pay up for seat heat for back-seat passengers.

The EQS SUV’s interior does a great job of continuing the work Mercedes did on the exterior styling, as both cabin and body are two halves of the whole, luxurious package. Plenty of leg, head, and shoulder room is present, along with a commendable maximum of 74.0 cubic feet of storage space.

Technology

The most impressive piece of tech inside the 2024 EQS SUV is the standard MBUX Hyperscreen, which utilizes the new Mercedes-Benz in-house MBUX infotainment software. Spanning a total of over 56 inches, it’s more powerful than some domestic computers, boasting things like 24 GB RAM and eight CPU cores. All aspects of the EQS SUV’s technological capabilities are handled through the Hyperscreen as it encompasses the gauge cluster, infotainment screen, and passenger screen.

It may disappoint some to learn there are virtually no physical buttons within the EQS SUV because Mercedes-Benz wants you to use the new Hyperscreen. However, the OLED-screened Hyperscreen is incredibly user-friendly and quick, so it makes up for those potential drawbacks. Also, worth mentioning are the programmable road noises and ambient lighting, which many buyers may have strong opinions about, particularly the fake engine sounds.

Interior Dimensions

Safety And Reliability

Safety is well catered for in the 2024 EQS SUV. An assortment of airbags including front, front-side, and knee airbags are present, along with side-curtain airbags as well. Front and rear parking sensors, Traction Control with Stability Control, and a Tire Pressure Monitoring system are seen as well. No safety ratings are available for the US models, but considering Mercedes-Benz’s good reputation in that arena, it’s a safe assumption the EQS SUV will perform well should there be an accident.

Driver Assistance Features

Mercedes made sure to include a myriad of driver assistance features inside the EQS SUV. Some features include a Blind Spot System Monitor, Active Lane Keep Assist, and Braking Assist. Around View Camera is included as well, which lets users see a 360-degree view of the EQS from the infotainment screen. Sadly, if you want a Head-Up Display, you’ll have to pay extra, as it’s only available as an option.

• Automatic Braking
• Backup Camera
• Forward Collision Warning
• Pedestrian Detection
• Blind Spot System
• Parking Sensors
• Optional Head-Up Display

IIHS Crash Testing

*The IIHS has not tested the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. Below is a video depicting the EuroNCAP test of the EQS SUV.

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

*The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV has not been rated by the NHTSA

• Recalls (NHTSA): 0
• NHTSA Investigations: 0
• NHTSA Consumer Complaints: 0
• Awards: N/A

Warranties

Mercedes EV warranties follow a very straightforward structure. Almost every component within the EQS SUV is covered for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. Roadside assistance spans for the duration of the full warranty. The straight-forwardness involves the full warranty acting as the sole warranty, with no other additional coverage, except for an EV-specific battery pack warranty which covers the batteries and their associated components for eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Even though maintenance isn’t as strict as it is on fossil-fueled vehicles, complimentary maintenance can only be had at an extra cost.

2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Versus Its Competitors

Competition comes from all sides of the globe for the EQS SUV, and it’s fierce as well. It needs to manage power, style, refinement, and all the while maintaining a competitive price. Below, we’re going to compare it to two of its rivals, the American Tesla Model X and the Bavarian BMW iX, and see which of these three reigns supreme.

How The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Compares To The Tesla Model X

• 	2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV	2024 Tesla Model X
  Engine/Motor	Permanently Excited Synchronous Electric Motor(s)	AC Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor(s)
  Horsepower	355 HP – 536 HP	670 HP – 1,020 HP
  Torque	419 LB-FT – 519 LB-FT – 633 LB-FT	713 LB-FT – 1,050 LB-FT
  Drivetrain	RWD, AWD	AWD
  Transmission	Direct-Drive Automatic	Single-Speed Fixed Gear
  Range	285 Miles – 305 Miles	326 Miles – 335 Miles
  MSRP	From $105,450	From $81,630
  0-60 MPH	4.5 Seconds – 5.7 Seconds	2.5 Seconds – 4.4 Seconds
  Power Output	108.4 kWh Net	95.0 kWh Net
  Max towing capacity	3,500 Pounds	5,000 Pounds
  Max payload capacity	1,169 Pounds	1,102 Pounds

Tesla continues to dominate the EV market, accounting for 51 percent of global electric vehicle sales in 2023. The Tesla Model X is the luxurious SUV alternative to their Model S sedan and boasts enough power to quickly put the EQS SUV to shame. But what else does it offer compared to the EQS SUV?

For starters, it’s cheaper at a base level. However, Tesla charges for almost every option possible, and the Model X can easily top $135,000 after options are added. Sadly, the Mercedes starts to lose the battle thanks to the Tesla’s larger towing capacity at 5,000 pounds, standard all-wheel drive, and more range. Tesla’s interior component quality has been criticized as cheap, so the Mercedes wins out there, along with the Mercedes looking much more grown-up and refined in general. However, strictly talking about value and sheer power, the Tesla beats the EQS SUV by far.

How The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Compares To The BMW iX

• 	2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV	2024 BMW iX
  Engine/Motor	Permanently Excited Synchronous Electric Motor(s)	Dual Externally Excited Synchronous Electric Motors
  Horsepower	355 HP – 536 HP	516 HP – 610 HP
  Torque	419 LB-FT – 519 LB-FT – 633 LB-FT	564 LB-FT – 749 LB-FT
  Drivetrain	RWD, AWD	AWD
  Transmission	Direct-Drive Automatic	Single-Speed Direct Drive
  Range	285 Miles – 305 Miles	288 Miles – 311 Miles
  MSRP	From $105,450	From $87,100
  0-60 MPH	4.5 Seconds – 5.7 Seconds	3.6 Seconds – 4.4 Seconds
  Max towing capacity	3,500 Pounds	5,500 Pounds
  Power Output	108.4 kWh Net	101.7 kWh Net
  Max payload capacity	1,169 Pounds	1,208 Pounds

BMW’s 2024 iX EV SUV is probably the EQS SUV’s closest competitor in size, style, and heritage. However, despite sharing a country, these two are different in many respects, despite belonging to the same class of vehicle.

The BMW iX offers more or better stats across the entire board. It’s cheaper, has more power at the base and top levels, and it can tow 2,000 more pounds. Additionally, its smaller battery manages to muster more range than the EQS SUV and can propel the iX from 0-60 MPH in almost a second faster at top grade and over a full second faster at the base level. The iX’s standard all-wheel drive seals the deal. The BMW iX is the one to buy here, without a doubt. As for which looks better, that’s up for debate.

How Much Does A 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Cost?

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV comes with a choice between three grades ranging from the base-level EQS 450+, mid-range EQS 450 4MATIC, and the top-end EQS 580 4MATIC. Pricing begins at $105,450 for the 450+, nudges up to $108,550, and tops out at $128,500. All pricing depicted does not include any options or destination fees.

Efficiency

EVs

Is It Worth Buying Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV?

As you’ve read, all aspects of the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV have been brought up, dissected, and discussed. Mercedes-Benz has been a luxury icon for generations, and they’ve done a good job making the EQS SUV look great.

However, it must be said that arguing the case for the 2024 EQS SUV is nearly impossible. It lost out to both of our competitors by large margins. While things like the Hyperscreen and sumptuous interior and graceful exterior are great, it cannot stand up to the others in many other ways.