The EQS, in a nutshell, is an electric S-Class. Just like an S-Class, the EQS is comfortable, quiet and packed full of features. It also has a roomy cargo area and a long range on a full charge. There are a few drawbacks, such as mediocre rear seat space, but overall the EQS is a smart pick for a luxury EV.
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 Edmunds, 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.
Jonathan Elfalan has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. As a director of vehicle testing at Edmunds, Jonathan has tested and reviewed thousands of cars and written thousands of car-related articles over the course of his career. Jonathan got his start testing cars for Road & Track magazine as a newly minted mechanical engineer grad from University of California, Irvine, and has also contributed to Motor Trend and the Associated Press. He likes to say he learned to drive a manual transmission in a rear-wheel-drive mid-engine vehicle but often omits it was his family's 1991 Toyota Previa minivan.
Pros
Impressive real-world EV range
Loads of standard features and in-car tech
Comfortable, well-appointed interior
Cons
Rear passenger space disappointing given the car's size
More expensive than some rivals and not as quick or sporty
What's new
First production car in U.S certified for Level 3 autonomous driving
EQS 450+ and EQS 580 receive increased horsepower
New braking system added
Changes to standard equipment
Part of the first EQS generation introduced for 2022
Overview
Mercedes-Benz's growing EQ line of electric vehicles includes the flagship EQS sedan, which, as its name suggests, adopts the spirit of the S-Class sedan with an all-electric powertrain. You'll find the same standards for luxury, in-car tech and advanced driver aids in a big sedan that can travel an estimated 350 miles on a full battery charge. In Edmunds' real-world range testing, it went even farther.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Mercedes-Benz EQS EV Insights
Trim:
EQS EQS 450+
Range
edmunds TESTED
422 miles
Edmunds Tested RangeEdmunds begins with a full battery charge and drives the vehicle on a mix of city and highway roads (approximately 60% city, 40% highway) until the battery is almost entirely empty. (We target 10 miles of remaining range for safety.) The miles traveled and the indicated remaining range are added together for the Edmunds Tested Range figure.
EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 359 miles after 8 years.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.
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 Ashburn, Virginia. 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.
SAE ComboStandard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.
Plug Type
12.5 hrs
240V Home ChargingEstimated total charging time when using a 240V outlet. This is either a 3-prong or 4-prong outlet used for appliances, for example a clothes dryer.
25 min
DC Fast ChargingThis is the time needed to charge the vehicle's battery from a 10% to an 80% charge level, employing a fast charger at the maximum power the vehicle can accept. To optimize charging speed, we activate the vehicle's battery preconditioning feature, if it has one. In the absence of a preconditioning feature, we drive a sufficient amount to ensure the battery pack is warm and ready for charging.
edmunds TESTED
EV batteries should be kept at 30-80% charged to extend battery life.
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.
According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.
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Cost to Drive
$67/mo
EQS
vs
$190/mo
Car Avg.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
Am I Ready for an EV?
EV ownership works best if you can charge at home (240V outlet) This typically means a 240V home installation, or other places your car is parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice.
Adding a home charging system is estimated to cost $1,616 in This is an estimate for your area. Using your address and the answers you provide, Treehouse can provide a more accurate price.
Edmunds is partnering with Treehouse, an independent provider of home EV installation services. Learn moreEdmunds customers receive a 10% installation discount and 4% smart charger discount. Discount excludes permit, hosted inspection, and load management devices. Valid for 30 days.
The EQS sedan receives a variety of significant updates. First up is the EQS' Drive Pilot system that controls speed, distance and lane centering without requiring the driver to regularly touch the steering wheel. Mercedes says the driver is also free to focus on "secondary" tasks, including infotainment apps locked out during normal driving. The catch? At the time of our review's publication, Drive Pilot only works at speeds up to 40 mph and for now it's only available in California and Nevada. Other changes for 2024 include more power and range and improved brake feel. The expansive MBUX Hyperscreen is also now standard equipment on all EQS versions, and the second-row seats are now power-adjustable.
Competitors to consider
The EQS stands as a solid choice for a luxury EV alongside other options such as the Tesla Model S, Audi e-tron GT, BMW i7 and Porsche Taycan. Read our Expert Rating below to learn if it's a good fit for you.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds 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
8.2
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The EQS, in a nutshell, is an electric S-Class. Just like an S-Class, the EQS is comfortable, quiet and packed full of features. It also has a roomy cargo area and a long range on a full charge. There are a few drawbacks, such as mediocre rear seat space, but overall the EQS is a smart pick for a luxury EV.
How does the EQS drive? The EQS drives a lot like a typical large luxury sedan. Power from the EQS 450+, which is what we tested, is similar to what you might expect from a conventional gas-powered six-cylinder engine. In Edmunds' testing, the EQS 450+ reached 60 mph from a standstill in 5.7 seconds. While that's certainly adequate, most luxury EVs are capable of considerably quicker acceleration. Performance from the EQS 580 or AMG EQS should be more satisfying.
The braking experience in the EQS is odd. You can adjust the amount of regenerative braking (it slows the car down using the electric motor and recoups some electricity in the process) but the EQS' brake pedal moves in accordance with the amount of regen braking you select. So when you go to press on the brakes, the pedal is sometimes already halfway to the floor. Ultimate braking performance, though, is quite good. Our test car stopped from 60 mph in an admirable 111 feet. But note that the pedal travel is quite long and requires a heavy push with your foot.
The EQS 450+ won't be a sedan that will have you seeking out curvy roads. The steering is light but accurate and has good straight-line stability. This luxury sedan is best for straight cruising on the highway.
Comfort
8.5/10
How comfortable is the EQS? Comfort is a strong suit of this large Benz. The front seats offer a wide range of adjustment and a good blend of firm but forgiving cushions. The EQS is also one of the quietest cars we've tested, with minimal outside noise making its way into the cabin. The ride quality is smooth, though we think the S-Class is ultimately a bit better at smoothing out bumps in the road.
The climate control is almost all touchscreen-based but is easier to use than most touchscreen interfaces. There's a screen that provides real-time air quality inside and outside of the cabin, which we found very cool. Both the seat heat and ventilation functions are very effective, and the optional massaging feature is helpful to keep the blood flowing on longer drives. Disappointingly, the EQS 450+'s rear seats don't have any controls or separate settings unless you opt for the top Pinnacle trim.
Interior
8.5/10
How’s the interior? Our test EQS 450+ did not come with the new dashboard-wide Hyperscreen, but the standard screen is pretty sizable and easy to navigate. The on-screen menus are complex, but ultimately the system is not hard to figure out. We also like how easy it is to see out of the EQS. The surround-view camera system takes all the guesswork out of avoiding objects when parking.
Oddly, the EQS is lacking rear seat space. Rear legroom is OK, but there's not much headroom considering this is a large luxury sedan. Passengers 6 feet tall or taller will likely be bumping their heads up against the roof.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Save as much as $16,513 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $16,513 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the EQS 450+ trim.
2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ pricing in Ashburn, VA
How’s the tech? Mercedes remains a leader with its MBUX infotainment system. The voice-controlled virtual assistant is particularly helpful for adjusting controls or bringing up information without having to take your eyes off the road. The Burmester audio system sounds great, and the integrated navigation system is useful for routing to nearby charging stations.
You want charging ports? Well, the EQS has a total of eight USB ports, which feels a bit like overkill in a cabin that seats five at the most. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is standard and a nice convenience to have when it's working. (We experienced some connection issues during our testing.)
Mercedes-Benz's advanced driving aids work great and are among the best in the business. We wouldn't call their operation faultless, but overall the adaptive cruise, lane keeping assistance, blind-spot warning and 360-degree cameras make driving considerably easier and safer.
Storage
8.5/10
How’s the storage? The EQS doesn't have a front trunk like the Tesla Model S does, but we'd argue it doesn't need one. The rear cargo hatch is huge, accommodating 22 cubic feet of stuff behind the rear seats. And if you need more space, the seats fold flat in the 40/20/40-split configuration. Storage for small items in the cabin is equally impressive, with an assortment of generously sized bins with cleverly organized compartments.
Got small kids to drive around? There's a good amount of space for installing child safety seats in back. However, the angled bottom rear seat cushion can make it a little tricky to securely strap a seat down. The lower Isofix anchors and the rear top tethers are pretty easy to access.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Range and Efficiency
8.5/10
How are the range and efficiency? The EQS 450+ we tested was equipped with the standard 20-inch wheels, giving it an EPA-estimated range of 350 miles and a consumption rate of 35 kWh's worth of electricity for every 100 miles of driving.
That range estimate is great by itself, and we found the EQS can go even farther. We drove the EQS 450+ 422 miles on a single max battery charge in our real-world range test. It was also more efficient than the EPA's estimate, using only 29.5 kWh/100 miles. For comparison, a 2022 Audi e-tron GT we tested went only 273 miles on a full charge and used 41 kWh/100 miles.
Value
7.5/10
Is the EQS a good value? Build quality is quite agreeable and nice up front, but sit in the back and you can see some cost cutting. Our test car lacked rear seat adjustments and had few controls other than for the windows. For a $100,000-plus vehicle, you might feel like you got shortchanged a bit.
That aside, the EQS is an attractive option given its interior. It's technically a size class up compared to its current closest competition from Porsche and Tesla, but prices are fairly comparable. You also get a lot of standard features.
Mercedes' warranties are average for the class, and the EQS also has a battery warranty for 10 years/155,000 miles (ensuring it maintains at least 70% of its battery capacity). Mercedes also offers two years/20,000 miles of free maintenance, though there isn't much to maintain on an EV.
Wildcard
7.5/10
The EQS 450+ is impressively comfortable and practical. Many of its clever features up the entertainment factor too. However, it lacks the handling prowess of the Porsche Taycan and the outlandish straight-line speed of the Tesla Model S. Some of our test experts aren't thrilled with the way the EQS looks. Mercedes-Benz chose funky over sexy. It does have some interesting lines and details to it, but some luxury EV shoppers might expect more.
Which EQS does Edmunds recommend?
The entry-level 450+ in Premium trim does just fine if you're looking for an EV alternative to the ubiquitous Tesla. It's loaded with plenty of luxury features and gets the best range of the lineup.
DRIVEN: Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot | Level 3 Autonomous Driving | Are Self-Driving Cars Finally Here?
NOTE: This video is about the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS, but since the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
It feels like autonomous cars have been "right around the corner" for the last decade in a never-ending cycle of automakers promising their arrival. Well, if Mercedes-Benz has anything to do with it, that might finally be true: The brand's new Drive Pilot will be the first Level 3 autonomous system to hit the U.S. market. Edmunds' Brian Wong gets behind the wheel — and… takes his hands off it — in this video, where we put Drive Pilot to the test for the first time.
The Porsche Taycan is one of the best cars on the road today, electric or not. The Taycan 4S trim may not be able to touch the whopping 422 miles of range we got with the EQS 450+, but it logged a respectable 323 miles in our real-world testing. It's not as opulent or spacious as the EQS, but it's comfortable, well appointed and way more fun to drive.
The Tesla Model S made EVs sexy and aspirational, even with fairly stark interiors and quirky software. But since its debut more than a decade ago, the Model S' sleek styling, eye-bending acceleration, and impressive practicality have made it a benchmark for how cars of the future can look and behave. Rolling updates have kept the Model S relevant as its competition grows, but build quality is still short of what you'll find in the Mercedes. Access to Tesla's vast Supercharger network is one of the Model S' real advantages, though.
Although based on the Porsche Taycan, the Audi e-tron GT offers its own design, tech and feel. Its bold styling has arguably more personality than the sleek EQS and the e-tron base model makes more power. The Audi is also just more fun and responsive to drive. The EQS gets you more available driver aids, longer range and greater overall comfort, however.
If an imminent side impact is detected, the outboard side bolsters inflate in a fraction of a second to protect the occupant's body.
Evasive Steering Assistance
Warns if an obstacle is in the path of the vehicle and automatically steers around it if there is adequate space.
Active Blind Spot Assist
Warns if a vehicle is in your blind spot and will attempt to prevent you from steering into that lane.
FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz EQS a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 EQS both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.2 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the EQS has 22.0 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Mercedes-Benz EQS. Learn more
What's new in the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS:
First production car in U.S certified for Level 3 autonomous driving
EQS 450+ and EQS 580 receive increased horsepower
New braking system added
Changes to standard equipment
Part of the first EQS generation introduced for 2022
To determine whether the Mercedes-Benz EQS is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the EQS. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the EQS's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2024 EQS and gave it a 8.2 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2024 EQS is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS?
The least-expensive 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS is the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS EQS 450+ 4dr Sedan (electric DD). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $104,400.
Other versions include:
EQS 450+ 4dr Sedan (electric DD) which starts at $104,400
What are the different models of Mercedes-Benz EQS?
If you're interested in the Mercedes-Benz EQS, the next question is, which EQS model is right for you? EQS variants include EQS 450+ 4dr Sedan (electric DD). For a full list of EQS models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more