2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

In comparison to the gas-powered GLS seven-seater, the EQS SUV is four inches shorter at 202.0 inches in length, but its 126.4-inch wheelbase is three inches longer, which gives it more interior room.

Rather than a grille, the nose wears a solid front panel like a mask, and it sports tri-star shapes surrounding the Mercedes star logo. Three-element headlights pull back at the corners, and an LED light signature spans the width of the face. A similar light bar is found at the rear. It sits up high and down low is a metal trim piece with ovoid tips that resemble vestigial exhaust outlets. 

In profile, the EQS SUV looks like a cross between a crossover and wagon thanks to a long roof. The details all appear to be aimed at aerodynamics, with flush door handles, air fins on the lower body to send air around the vehicle to a choice of flush-face wheel designs. 

The cabin uses a single panel called the Hyperscreen to cover the entire face of the dash, though turbine-shaped air vents sit at the far ends. The edges of the screen are defined by rounded shapes that play off the design of the rest of the cabin. The screen adds flashes of color and light, as does the standard 64-color ambient lighting, which some might view as a Vegas-like neon spectacle. It can be dimmed to tone it down, though. Buyers can choose from several colors of leather and complementary wood trim for a lighter or darker, warmer or cooler look.

The EQS SUV 450+ has rear-wheel drive, while the other models have a dual-motor powertrain with one motor on each axle for all-wheel drive. 

How fast is the EQS SUV?

Both 450 models make 355 hp, but it’s delivered differently. The 450+ has a single motor on the rear axle that spins up 419 lb-ft of torque and pushes the SUV from 0-60 mph in a claimed 6.5 seconds. That’s good power for most everyday needs, but it’s not as strong as many EVs.

Moving up to the 450 4Matic adds a motor on the front axle, increases torque to 590 lb-ft, and cuts the 0-60 mph time to a quoted 5.8 seconds. 

The 580 4Matic model’s two motors produce 536 hp and 633 lb-ft, which cuts the 0-60 mph time further to 4.5 seconds. Not bad for 6,228 pounds. 

At the top of the lineup, the two motors in the Maybach 680 combine for 649 hp and 700 lb-ft, which is good for a 4.1-second 0-60 mph run. 

We haven’t driven the Maybach yet, but it should act like the 580, which provides a smooth surge of power instead of a hard hit from a stop. That makes it more comfortable for occupants, who would be thrown back during very hard takeoffs. 

The EQS SUV comes standard with an air suspension, adaptive dampers, and rear-wheel steering that can turn up to 10 degrees opposite of the fronts at low speeds. The suspension fights body lean well, but the EQS SUV doesn’t come off as sporty. Instead, it’s well controlled and comfortable thanks to a smooth ride. The rear-axle steering shrinks the SUV in parking lots and aids stability through fast corners. 

Our biggest issue with the EQS SUV has been its unpredictable braking. The regenerative and mechanical braking haven’t blended well together as the pedal has felt wooden and the final bit of braking came on late, making drivers get harder on the brakes to complete a stop. Mercedes says it has improved feel and revised regenerative braking software, but we haven’t tested it yet. We hope it feels more natural through its three regen settings.

Mercedes includes an Offroad mode for models with all-wheel drive. It uses the air suspension to raise the vehicle an inch to increase ground clearance to about nine inches. It’s not an accomplished off-roader, but it can clear obstacles some other crossovers can’t, it has a hill-descent control system that works at up to 11 mph, and an available camera system offers four views, including one that shows the underside of the front axle. No all-terrain tires are available from Mercedes, but adding them would improve its capability.

Second-row passengers get plentiful headroom and up to 41.3 inches of legroom, which is fantastic, but also robs space from occupants in the optional third-row seat. Power-folding second-row seats shift the front seats forward to allow the headrests to clear so the seats can fold flat. Four adults will fit with ease and five can be comfortable, too. 

It’s also possible to fit seven average-size adults but third-row riders will need the first two rows adjusted to allow enough legroom. A tall passenger in any row will prevent that. Once back there, occupants have cupholders, armrests, and even two USB ports. 

Rear cargo room is 31 cubic feet with the third row folded flat, and that extends to 74.2 cubic feet with the rear two rows folded down. The second row can split 60/40 or 40/20/40 to make room for skis and the like. 

Though it’s an EV, the EQS SUV has no front trunk, which is a missed opportunity for storage space. There’s not even a provision to open the hood. Owners can refill the wiper fluid through a slot on the driver’s side front fender, though.

Mercedes lines the EQS SUV with leather, wood, and aluminum, all assembled with attention to detail. With no internal combustion sounds and acoustic glass, the EQS SUV is a calm environment, and only some tire noise and artificial motor noise become noticeable.

Standard safety equipment on the EQS SUV includes adaptive headlights with automatic high beams, a driver-attention monitor, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection assist, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alerts with brake support, blind-spot monitors with steering assist, automatic parking, active lane control, automatic lane changes, and a surround-view camera system.

For $105,550, the base 450+ in Premium trim comes with leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, navigation with augmented reality directions, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, power-reclining second-row seats, a 15-speaker Burmester audio system, a panoramic sunroof, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate.

New standard features for 2024 include the Hyperscreen infotainment and control system, a power charging port door, a wifi hotspot now with 5G service, active ambient lighting, illuminated running boards, rear seat pillows, and 21-inch wheels instead of 20s.

Which Mercedes EQS SUV should I buy?

We’d want the extra power and all-wheel-drive capability of the 450 4Matic, which costs $108,550 in Premium trim. For about $4,000 more, the Exclusive trim adds four-zone automatic climate control, a cabin fragrance system, additional front seat adjustments, front seat massage, and Mercedes star pattern logo projectors. Add another $6,000 or so for the Pinnacle trim to get heated second-row seats, a second-row center armrest, wireless smartphone charging in the rear, a rear control tablet, and rear side-impact airbags.

How much is a fully loaded EQS SUV?

The Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV costs $181,050. It seats five, not seven, and adds a rear entertainment system with 11.6-inch screens and a Burmester 4D audio system. For no charge, buyers can choose a four-seat configuration with folding rear tables, heated and cooled rear cupholders, and a heated rear armrest. 

Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV infotainment

The Mercedes Hyperscreen consists of a 17.7-inch central touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 12.3-inch passenger touchscreen. The passenger can do internet searches and control some entertainment choices. The Hyperscreen runs the MBUX infotainment system that can be activated by saying “Hey Mercedes.” The whole thing is a lot to take in, and can appear overwhelming, but it responds quickly and offers as much connectivity as any system on the market, including over-the-air updates.

The single-motor 450+ model carried a 305-mile range with last year’s 108.4-kwh battery, and this year’s 118-kwh unit should add 10 miles or more. It also had an estimated 85 MPGe rating and was good for 2.6 miles per kwh. The dual-motor 450 4Matic had 285 miles of range, a 78 MPGe rating, and an efficiency of 2.4 mi/kwh, while the numbers for the 580 4Matic were 285 miles of range, 77 MPGe, and an efficiency of 2.3 mi/kwh. The powerful Maybach EQS 680 is rated at 280 miles of range, 76 MPGe and 2.3 mi/kwh. Those ratings made the EQS SUV more efficient than the Rivian R1S but less efficient than the Tesla Model X.

Mercedes said the 2023 EQS SUV could charge from 10% to full in 12.5 hours on a 240-volt Level 2 outlet. With a 400-volt architecture, it can charge from 10-80% in 31 minutes on a DC fast charger at a rate of up to 200 kw.