2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

　　

2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　, rating written byDan FrioSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　Mercedes fans awaiting a Tesla alternative now have it with the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. Similar in size to its gas-powered GLS analog, but with a more aerodynamic shape, the EQS marks Benz's flagship luxury-electric effort. This three-row SUV can range from 285 to 305 miles or more (Mercedes hasn't announced final range estimates for the 2024 model yet), is reasonably efficient given its range and power, and comes with the impeccable build quality and details you expect of Benz: creamy leather, cushy seats, advanced safety tech. It's fast too, with its top trim able to whip off a 0-60 mph sprint in 4.5 seconds.

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Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV EV Insights

Trim:EQS SUV EQS 450+

　　EQS 450+ 4dr SUV (electric DD) - $104,400 MSRPEQS 450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) (Most Popular) - $107,400 MSRPEQS 580 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) - $127,350 MSRP

　　

Range

　　EPA Estimated Range not available

　　Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Rutland, North Dakota. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors | OpenStreetMap

　　from 58067

　　

EV Battery Warranty

　　8 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.

　　

Charging at Home

　　No charging time information available

　　SAE ComboStandard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.

　　Plug Type

　　

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

　　No rebates available in 58067

　　Complimentary Charging Offer

　　Restrictions: This program is a charging agreement between Mercedes-Benz USA and Electrify America. Customers who purchase or lease a new Mercedes-EQ model will receive 2 years of complimentary 30-minute DC fast charging on the Electrify America network. Complimentary charging expires 2 years from the initial activation. To take advantage of this benefit, customers must be registered with Mercedes me Charge. Offer is non-transferable and only valid to first owners or lessees. See your participating dealer for details.

　　

Cost to Drive

　　Not Available

　　EQS SUV

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　SUV Avg.

　　Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　

Am I Ready for an EV?

　　EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.

　　If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.

　　Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Making the math work

Fresh from its debut last year, the EQS SUV gets a few tweaks at the margins for 2024. A larger-capacity battery and disconnect feature for all-wheel-drive models (essentially turns off one motor when not needed) promise further range, while new brakes and software aim to improve brake feel. A heat pump should warm the cabin more quickly and efficiently. The dazzling glass Hyperscreen, which combines a digital gauge cluster, infotainment interface and passenger controls into a dash-spanning display, now comes standard. The more fundamental question is whether the EQS SUV makes sense for most buyers compared to the GLS. A GLS starts at around $90,000, while the EQS SUV lists for $104,000. That's a hefty premium that could take a while to recoup. Fittingly, Mercedes throws in two years of free 30-minute charges on the Electrify America network, enough to recharge from 10% to 80%, to help offset the bite. But since most potential buyers are more likely motivated by the Mercedes' blend of advanced tech and luxury, or a desire to move away from gas, the premium isn't likely to be an issue.

　　

Competitors to consider

There aren't many luxury three-row players today, giving the EQS SUV ample room to stand out. The Tesla Model X is a veteran, having debuted in 2016. It costs less than the EQS SUV, it's eligible for federal tax credits, and it has loads of cargo room. But the novelty of its awkward falcon-wing rear doors soon wears off, and it's not as large or roomy as the Mercedes. The Rivian R1S also costs much less, and while it can't match the EQS SUV in comfort and refinement, it offers legitimate off-road ability. The best value might be the forthcoming Kia EV9. With similar size and profile to the Telluride SUV, the EV9 promises three-row refinement for about half the price of the Mercedes.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the EQS SUV drive? We tested the base version of the EQS SUV. At our test track, it proved to be pretty slow by luxury EV standards, needing 6.3 seconds to reach 60 mph. But there's still enough power here to make routine driving stress-free, and more powerful EQS SUV models are available should you want quicker acceleration. We were also impressed with this SUV's easy-to-drive nature as well as its relatively nimble handling and strong emergency braking capabilities.

　　

Comfort

9.0/10

　　How comfortable is the EQS SUV? The EQS SUV is supremely comfortable. It takes full advantage of near-silent EV propulsion and provides its occupants with a serene driving environment. Our test vehicle had the optional Acoustic Comfort package that includes sound-reducing windows, and we highly recommend getting it. Ride comfort is another strength for the EQS SUV. Our test vehicle was pretty unfazed by bumps and ruts on the road.

　　Three-zone climate control is standard, but four- and five-zone (with the optional third row of seating) systems are available. The climate controls are pretty easy to use, and airflow from the vents is excellent.

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