Mercedes-Benz faithful who are ready to step into the electric future—and have the deep pockets necessary to do so—the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is here. Introduced in this size-large EQS SUV is, as the name implies, the crossover alternative to Merc’s EQS luxury electric sedan. The two cars share a platform and a wheelbase, but the SUV version offers seating for up to seven as well as improved head room. Several powertrains are available, with rear- and all-wheel drive and up to 536 horsepower. Inside, the EQS SUV is adorned with rich materials and gobs of technology—including the standard 56-inch Hyperscreen all-in-one infotainment touchscreen-and-instrument cluster. If your wallet can stretch it, the EQS SUV lineup offers competitive electric range and Mercedes’s well-known formula of luxury and superb build quality.
Vehicle Overview
| Passengers: 4 | Iphone Charger: Yes | Fully Insured: Yes |
| Interior: Black Leather | On Board Drinks: Yes | Smoking: No |
| DVD Player: Yes | On Board Snacks: Yes | Surround Sound: Yes |
| On Board Wifi: Yes | Bag Capacity: 4 | LCD Screens: Yes |
The EQS SUV earns a host of minor changes for the new year. Mercedes fiddled with the battery technology to help optimize range, and customers in colder climates will appreciate the heat pump that’s been added as standard equipment. The 4Matic all-wheel drive system has also been updated to allow the vehicle to automatically switch from all-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive to increase real-world range. The entry price for an EQS SUV is surprisingly close to the EQS sedan, but we doubt many buyers will stick with the base EQS450+ base model. Not when the EQS580 4Matic models pack a more powerful punch. Still, the EQS450+ includes a lot of desirable standard features, such as an adaptive air suspension, rear-axle steering, heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, a Burmester sound system, and more. We’d suggest the EQS580 4Matic Exclusive model, which adds that all-wheel drive powertrain as well as luxury features such as a head-up display, four-zone automatic climate control, and massaging front seats.
The EQS SUV is essentially a re-bodied EQS sedan with an elevated seating position and more interior space, and its electric powertrains are similar, albeit not identical. The EQS450+ features a 335-hp electric motor that powers the rear wheels. The EQS580 produces 536 horsepower and 633 pound-feet of torque between its front- and rear-mounted electric motors, which provide all-wheel drive. The EQS SUV comes standard with an adjustable air suspension and a rear-axle steering system that makes it surprisingly agile. Unlike the sedan, the SUV features an Off-Road drive mode that raises the suspension and alters the powertrain’s behavior. During a ride-along in a prototype model, we experienced these settings first-hand on rugged terrain and were impressed with the vehicle’s capabilities, even if we’re convinced most people who buy an EQS SUV will never attempt such activities. On our first test drive of the production model, we noted much perkier acceleration from the EQS580 and recorded a 4.0-second run to 60 mph at our test track. The EQS450 4Matic we tested was no slouch either, hitting 60 mph in 5.2 seconds in the same test. We imagine most drivers will find its power more than adequate. Handling is confident but not particularly satisfying and steering feedback is minimal, but the EQS SUV’s on-road demeanor is comfortable and relaxing which is okay by us given its luxury mission.