2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS Review, Pricing, and Specs (2024)

Overview

The primary discussions around gas-powered vehicles often concern aspects of driving—acceleration, cabin noise, or ride quality, for instance. The primary discussions around electric vehicles generally focus on their array of features—how many screens, how many apps, and how connected they can be to the rest of your digital life. The Mercedes-Benz EQS electric luxury sedan is one of the best demonstrations of that difference, a mobile digital living room that is far more interesting to experience than to drive. The instrument panel is 56.0 inches of glass-panel Hyperscreen. The navigation system overlays arrows onto a live video of a route so that drivers know exactly which lane to be in and which turn to take. There are wireless charging pads for front and rear passengers, six USB ports, a fingerprint-recognition system, content-streaming capability for the various in-cabin screens, and much, much more. All of this extensive tech comes on top of the opulence implied by any S-Class sedan, from ventilated front seats to heated rear seats with matching pillows, plus gorgeous cabin materials and superb build quality throughout. Unfortunately, Mercedes skimped on the basics of everyday driving dynamics. The EQS is neither pleasing nor engaging to pilot thanks to syrupy responses, unremarkable handling, and odd brake-pedal feel—an ailment that Mercedes claims it’s addressed with a new brake system for 2024.

What's New for 2024?

Mercedes designed an all-new braking system with new regenerative software for the 2024 EQS, which the company says delivers a more confident brake feel. If that proves true, it eliminates one of the major drawbacks we experienced in our time with last year’s EQS. Several other new features aim to improve efficiency and range. An updated battery chemistry produces increased energy density, resulting in more energy for the same battery size. The all-wheel-drive system adopts Intelligent Disconnect, a feature that disengages the front motor to reduce powertrain drag and improve range. Another range-boosting feature is the standard heat pump, which draws heat off the drivetrain components to heat the cabin. Having a heat pump means the sedan’s main propulsion battery doesn’t need to power the cabin heating system, leaving more energy for the motors. Performance and comfort changes start with more powerful motors. The EQS450+ gets six more horsepower and two more pound-feet of torque, with peak outputs reaching 335 horsepower and 419 pound-feet. The EQS580 4Matic gets 20 more horses and two more pound-feet, its motors maxing out at 536 horsepower and 633 pound-feet. Inside, front occupants now enjoy the impressive wall-to-wall MBUX Hyperscreen as standard on all trims; it was only available on the EQS 580 previously. Newly standard equipment for rear seaters includes heated, power-adjustable seats with extended cushions, an armrest with a wireless charging pad, and rear side-impact airbags.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The EQS sedan is available in three models with three different powertrains and three trim levels. We recommend the EQS450 4Matic in top Pinnacle trim. The sedan is packed with luxury, convenience, and safety features all the way down to luxury rear head restraints, which are like regular headrests with a cushy pillow topper. This year that model makes the same 335 horsepower as the rear-wheel drive model, but the extra motor increases torque to 590 pound-feet. The estimated range with all-wheel drive is only ten miles less than the rear-wheel-drive sedan, although the new Intelligent Disconnect feature could shrink that gap.

EV Motor, Power, and Performance

The single motor on the rear axle of the EQS450+ produces 335 horsepower and 419 pound-feet of torque. The EQS450 4Matic adds an electric motor to the front axle for all-wheel drive. Combined horsepower holds at 335 horsepower, but torque climbs to 590 pound-feet. The EQS580 4Matic makes a combined 516 hp and 611 pound-feet torque. In our testing, the EQS450+ accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. The more powerful EQS580 hit 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds in our testing. Every EQS rides on an adaptive air suspension and wheels ranging from 19 to 21 inches. Standard rear-axle-steering can angle the rear wheels up to 10 degrees. With the 207.3-inch-long EQS being just three inches shorter than a Chevy Tahoe, rear-wheel steering makes the sedan easier to maneuver in tight spots and increases stability at high speeds. In our testing, we found the luxury sedan delivered the kind of quiet and silken ride that one would expect of an electric Mercedes flagship. It’s not as composed around town, however, thanks to our test car’s disconnected-feeling brake pedal. When we get a 2024 model in for testing we’ll see if the EQS’s all-new braking system addresses our issues.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

All EQS models feature a lithium-ion battery pack with a usable capacity of 108.4 kWh. According to the EPA, the model with the most range is the EQS450+, which is said to offer up to 352 miles of driving per charge; the EQS450 4Matic and EQS580 4Matic are both rated for 345 miles per charge. With 200-kW fast-charging capability, every EQS can replenish its battery from 10 to 80 percent in 31 minutes. Plugged into a 240-volt Level 2 charger, getting from 10 to 100 percent takes 11.5 hours. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, we observed an impressive 350 miles of range in the EQS580.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

The EPA estimates that the EQS450+ and EQS450 4Matic will return 95 MPGe city and 98 MPGe highway. The EQS580 4Matic is slightly less efficient and earned ratings of 93 MPGe city and 98 MPGe highway. For more information about the EQS's efficiency, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

It’s not like Mercedes would forget how to make an S-Class just because the powertrain is electric instead of gas-powered. The interior furnishings satisfy every expectation and make a plush home for massive amounts of tech. Even the entry-level EQS450+ comes with LED headlights, air suspension, a panoramic roof, augmented video navigation that overlays arrows onto the map to identify lanes and turns, Burmester 3D audio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, cabin climate preconditioning, adaptive cruise control, active park assistant, 64-color ambient lighting, and much more. And there’s also the standard 56-inch-wide Hyperscreen, actually three screens that turn the entire instrument panel into a glass-panel display. Thanks to a completely flat floor and a lengthy 126.4-inch wheelbase, the EQS has a spacious interior. Cargo space is also especially generous, thanks to its large hatchback.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The EQS features a fingerprint scanner that activates individual driver profiles, the "Hey Mercedes" voice-command system, and augmented-reality navigation in the head-up display. Every model also includes six USB-C ports throughout the cabin and Burmester audio. Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment software runs on the standard Hyperscreen. The display includes the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, the 17.7-inch central touchscreen, and the 12.3-inch passenger-side touchscreen, all fronted by a door-to-door glass topper. Planned over-the-air (OTA) updates for vehicles with the Entertainment Package Plus will add features like the YouTube web app and Dolby Atmos surround sound.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The 2024 EQS comes packed with standard driver-assistance technology, including adaptive cruise control and self-parking assist. For more information about the EQS's crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
• Standard blind-spot monitoring

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Mercedes' limited and powertrain warranties are competitive with other German automakers, but its terms aren't particularly noteworthy. There's also no complimentary maintenance, which is something BMW offers.

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Electrical components are covered for 10 years or 155,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance

More Features and Specs