2024 Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV

As Mercedes-Benz gradually electrifies its lineup, the biggest and most luxurious SUV in its EQ line is the EQS SUV. This premium SUV does an excellent job electrifying the Mercedes-Benz experience. It has the luxurious interior you expect from the brand, plus futuristic technology like the standard 56-inch Hyperscreen and the latest driver assistance features. It’s also a bit fun to drive, thanks to its lively electric powertrain offerings and 4-wheel steering, making it surprisingly agile. The cherry on top is an optional third row of seats, which not all of its rivals offer. In a growing class of electric luxury SUVs, the Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV competes to varying degrees with the BMW iX, Audi Q8 e-tron, Tesla Model X, and Rivian R1S.

We’ve driven and evaluated this entire generation of electric luxury SUVs, including multiple examples of the EQS SUV.

Although it just came out in 2023, there are already several updates to the Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV for the 2024 model year. Our favorite update is the Hyperscreen 56-inch display becoming standard on every model. The EQS 580 picks up additional standard features, including Nappa leather seats with heating and massaging in front. All-wheel-drive models now have a disconnect feature to optimize efficiency, and a standard heat pump helps preserve range in cold weather. The new Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV is the new pinnacle of this SUV’s model range. It has a unique aesthetic, a more opulent interior, and a 649-horsepower powertrain sourced from the Mercedes-AMG EQS Sedan.

Before buying an EQS SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV resale value is about average for the segment. Recouping more money when you sell a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next one.

Does the 2024 Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV qualify for the federal tax credit?

No, the Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV doesn’t qualify for the federal tax credit because of its price. The latest rules that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, cap the MSRP of electric SUVs at $80,000 to receive the federal tax credit. Since the starting price of the EQS SUV is well above that number, it doesn’t qualify.

The Mercedes-EQ EQS 450 SUV is powered by a 355-horsepower electric powertrain. The EQS 450+ has 419 lb-ft of torque and rear-wheel drive, while the EQS 450 4Matic boasts 590 lb-ft of torque and adds all-wheel drive. The base model accelerates from 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds, and the dual-motor 450 4Matic cuts that time down to 5.8 seconds.

Based on our testing, we’re happy to report that this SUV excels at long trips on the highway, quick jaunts around town, and even winding mountain roads. For starters, this SUV has a supremely quiet cabin. Many EVs share this virtue, but even by EV standards, the cabin of the EQS SUV is serene. It also makes the standard Burmester audio system sound even better.

The ride is smooth and comfortable, as you might expect from a luxury SUV in this price range, but the electric powertrain further enhances the experience. Even with the base EQS 450+ powertrain, this SUV has swift acceleration and relatively agile handling thanks to standard 4-wheel steering. This feature goes a long way in better managing the size and weight of this EV and makes it drive like a smaller vehicle. We found the brake feel a little odd and unnatural when testing the 2023 model, but Mercedes says that’s been remedied for 2024.

Upgrading to the 536-horsepower EQS 580 powertrain quickens this SUV’s 0-60 mph time to 4.5 seconds. That’s quick enough to be noticeably faster than the 450 models while retaining a pretty good range rating. Meanwhile, the new Maybach EQS 680 SUV borrows its 649-horsepower powertrain from the AMG EQS Sedan, giving it a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds.

The Mercedes-EQ line impresses with top-notch interior quality. Everything has a premium feel, and we found the seats supremely comfortable. The steering wheel has a nice heft, feeling luxurious without being too chunky. We also like the multi-color ambient interior lighting throughout the cabin, which looks especially cool while driving at night.

The Hyperscreen, a 56-inch curved display housing three screens, now comes standard in every EQS SUV. A massive infotainment screen flows nicely into the digital gauge cluster on one side, and the passenger screen on the other. That passenger screen has a learning curve, but once you figure it out, you can easily control audio, seat massaging functions, and more. We were a little overwhelmed the first time we tried the imposing Hyperscreen, but it didn’t take long for it to feel natural.

The first two rows of seats in the EQS SUV are roomy and comfortable. With 41.3 inches of legroom, the second row actually has slightly more legroom than the first. Available captain’s chairs make the second row more comfortable and the optional third row easier to access. The available third row is tight. With about 32 inches of legroom, it’s best reserved as a just-in-case option. However, we like the clever power-sliding function for the second row to gain access to the third row.

Cargo space is decent in the 2-row configuration of the EQS SUV. It has 31 cubic feet of volume behind the back seats, increasing to 74.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. That’s more than the Audi Q8 e-tron but less cargo space than the BMW iX, Tesla Model X, and Rivian R1S. With the 3-row setup, you only get 6.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. We’ve driven convertibles with more trunk space than that, but you get almost as much space as the 2-row EQS SUV when you fold the seats down.

Compared to the EQS SUV, the smaller EQE SUV has about the same amount of passenger space but isn’t available with a third row and has much less cargo room.

It’s easy for the GLS, Mercedes-Benz’s regular large 3-row luxury SUV, to spring to mind. Think of the EQS SUV as similar to a GLS but making concessions to aerodynamic efficiency. It’s a few inches shorter in length, about 4 inches less tall, and nearly 3 inches narrower. Clearly, it’s sculpted to be sleek, even under the body. Compared to the smaller and more affordable EQE SUV, the EQS SUV is about 10 inches longer, 4 inches wider, and an inch taller.

Hyperscreen 
The Hyperscreen is a massive 56-inch curved glass surface with three screens underneath. It has a digital gauge cluster, an intuitive center infotainment screen, and a passenger screen that can control audio, climate, and more. We like that it comes standard on every EQS SUV.

Augmented reality 
With this optional feature, arrows and street names are superimposed over a live view of the road to assist with navigation. For an even more high-tech experience, we recommend getting augmented reality on the head-up display, which makes graphics appear right on the road in front of you. The future is cool.

Four-wheel steering 
Standard rear-axle steering makes the Mercedes EQS SUV more maneuverable than most SUVs this size. We enjoyed the added stability at highway speeds and the tighter turning radius of a smaller SUV around town and in parking lots.

Driver Assistance Package 
This safety tech suite comes standard on the EQS SUV. It bundles a long list of driver assistance and safety tech features like Distronic adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, and the Pre-Safe Plus system.

Dolby Atmos sound system 
A Dolby Atmos 360-degree sound experience is programmed into the standard Burmester 3D audio system. We love the immersive, movie theater-like audio.

Airmatic air suspension 
This standard air suspension comes with an active damping system. This improves on-road performance and comfort, and enhances off-road capabilities.

The Mercedes-EQ EQS 450+ SUV has a good range of up to 305 miles, while the EQS 450 4Matic and EQS 580 both earn a 285-mile range. These range estimates are in the same neighborhood as the BMW iX and Audi Q8 e-tron with similar powertrains. The Tesla Model X and Rivian R1S can go farther on a full charge for those with higher range demands.

With DC fast charging, Mercedes claims the EQS SUV can charge from 10% to 80% in as little as 31 minutes. That estimate is very similar to its rivals from Audi and BMW, which also have DC fast charging capabilities. Rivian claims the R1S can replenish 140 miles of range in 20 minutes of fast charging, and Tesla says the Model X reaches 80% in 30-40 minutes when hooked up to a Tesla Supercharger.

The Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV employs a 118 kWh battery pack. This is a new battery this year, but we expect its efficiency rating to be similar to the 108.4 kWh battery that the 2023 model used. According to 2023 estimates, the EQS SUV got up to 85 combined MPGe. Like the range numbers, these efficiency and fuel cost estimates are very similar to the BMW iX and Audi Q8 e-tron. Meanwhile, the Rivian R1S is less efficient, and the Tesla Model X is more efficient. More EQS SUV range and efficiency information is available on the EPA’s website.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV is backed by a 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. The battery is covered by a generous 10-year/155,000-mile warranty.

Safety

The Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV hasn’t been crash tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but it’s well-equipped with standard safety features like active lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and more.