2024 Mercedes EQS SUV: A comprehensive look at what’s coming

The Mercedes EQS SUV, the first locally built electric Mercedes, was launched in the U.S. in fall 2022. With its first model year update approaching, it is expected to become an MY2024 product in Q3 2023. Here’s a preview of what we expect from the 2024 Mercedes EQS SUV.

Note that the photos and details used in this story are reflective of the current model year, and this page will be revised as new information/visuals are released by the company.

Individual Design

The 2024 Mercedes EQS SUV will be a carryover model, so it’ll have the same exterior. At best, you can expect new wheel and paint options that visually set it apart from the model it’ll replace and maybe even a few standard equipment differences in the Premium, Exclusive, and Pinnacle grades.

Unlike the Mercedes EQA and the Mercedes EQB, the Mercedes EQS SUV isn’t a modified version of an ICE vehicle (GLS SUV) with a closed fascia. A new model designed from the ground up, the EQS SUV looks dynamic with proportions that are not possible for a combustion engine product. The EQS SUV measures 201.9 in. in length, 77.1 in. in width, and 67.6 in. in height. It has the same wheelbase as the EQS – 126.4 inches.

Compared to the GLS (0.32 Cd), the EQS SUV’s drag coefficient is significantly lower – 0.20 Cd. In the words of Mercedes-Benz Group’s Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener, the EQS SUV is “more seamless, more integrated, more aerodynamic, more futuristic looking,” as per an Auto Express report.

Sci-fi looks

The Mercedes EQS SUV has a sleek silhouette, more sci-fi front and rear lights connected via a full-width light stripe, low-profile bumpers, and a black closed-off upper grille. A low ground clearance, short length, low height, sloping roofline, and a steeply angled back glass give it a sporty stance and the complete identity of an electric vehicle.

Front

The black panel unit serving as a faux radiator grille features customizable a 3D star pattern as a reference to the original star of the Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft company. The black panel surface would not only be a piece of decor but also neatly hide the vehicle’s various sensors (radar, ultrasound, and camera) required for its driver assistance systems.

As on the EQS sedan, the A-pillar is steeply raked for a generous passenger compartment. The overhangs and the front-end are short and the rear smoothly rounded, in what design moguls call a cab-forward design. The Mercedes EQS SUV sport headlights with a DRL featuring three small triangles below a straight line.

Side

On the sides, the EQS SUV’s C-pillar lies far back, highlighting its spacious interior. 21-inch wheels, a muscular shoulder section, and standard flush door handles are among the highlights. Also worth noting is the location of the service flap for wiper fluid, integrated into the side of the left fender.

Dimension	Value
Length	201.9 in.
Width	77.1 in.
Height	67.6 in.
Wheelbase	126.4 in.

Rear

At the rear, the EQS SUV isn’t upright like the GLS. It has a modern crossover-like tailgate with a visibly forward-leaning windscreen. The detailing of the rear lights is in the form of a curved 3D helix, just like in the EQS. Instead of a chrome trim like on the GLS, there’s a narrow light band bridging the lights to endow the SUV with sci-fi and sophisticated styling.

Digital Light

Digital Light headlamps can project guide markings or warning symbols onto the road. They have a light module with three extremely powerful LEDs each, with a combined resolution of more than 2.6 million pixels. These headlamps work in conjunction with the navigation system and take hills into account when projecting anything onto the road. There’s a light band between these headlamps, which gives the SUV a futuristic style at the very first look.

Tech-laden, sumptuous interior

The Mercedes EQS SUV interior is remarkably different from the GLS and the S-Class. Mercedes-Benz Group has replicated the EQS sedan’s sensational cabin with SUV-specific touches. Aesthetically, the interior has been very well received, so the company won’t need to rework that with the MY2024 update. It may, however, tinker with the equipment lines to adjust the standard/optional features.

MBUX Hyperscreen

The Mercedes EQS SUV features the MBUX Hyperscreen, an optional highly digital dashboard that debuted in the EQS. A large, curved Gorilla Glass surface stretches nearly the entire width, and there are three displays (driver display, central display, and passenger display) behind it. The central and passenger displays are OLED units.

The MBUX Hyperscreen, with its full-width (56-inch), curved 3D glass cover, and the three flush-mounted displays blending seamlessly, brings a whole new in-car user experience. Almost every vehicle function is at the fingertips, from entertainment to connectivity, navigation, massage, energy management, and more.

The 12.3-inch OLED passenger display allows playing video content on the go and automatically dims if the driver is looking at it at that time. With the future of mobility set to become gradually autonomous, carmakers are developing various forms of in-car entertainment, while also focusing on safety.

Introducing the MBUX Hyperscreen, Vera Schmidt, Head of Mercedes-Benz Advanced Digital Design, said that it is a “milestone” in combining analog and digital design. “For me, the Hyperscreen’s clear, minimalist design and strong anchor points make it intuitive and straightforward to use,” she said.

The MBUX High-End Rear Seat Entertainment Plus package ensures chauffeured owners stay connected. It has two 11.6-inch displays comprising touch controls on the back of the two headrests.

Premium first- and second-row seats

The driver and front passenger seats are fully electrically adjustable and feature a memory function as standard. 4-way lumbar support, heating, luxury headrest, and ventilation are standard as well. Multicontour front seats with massage functions are optional.

The second-row seats are available with an electrically adjustable backrest with a 40:20:40 folding split, electric fore/aft adjustment (by 5 inches), and luxury headrests. Rear seat heating is optional.

Third-row seats

The Mercedes EQS SUV is available in 5- and 7-seat versions, with the latter featuring individual third-row seats. The second-row seats feature 5-inch forward and backward electric adjustment as standard in the U.S. Their backrests include a reclining function, which allows moving them by 14 degrees to the front and 4 to the rear. In the five-seat version, the luggage compartment has 23 cu. ft. of space, which can be expanded by about 8 cu. ft. by adjusting the rear seats.

Depending on the seating layout, the Mercedes EQS SUV has cargo space for up to four golf bags. The 5-seat version offers a trunk capacity of up to 74 cubic feet, and the 7-seat version offers 71.3 cubic feet. There’s 6.8 cu. ft. of cargo space behind the third-row seats. A standard Easy Entry function allows easily accessing the third-row seats by moving the backrest forward beyond the usual adjustment range by up to a total of 11.4 in. Third-row seating heating is optional.

HEPA filter

The Mercedes EQS SUV is available with a feature called Energizing Air Control Plus, which keeps the cabin clear of fine particulates, pollen, and other contaminants using active carbon through a HEPA filter (High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter).

The HEPA filter resides under the aluminum hood of the SUV. Measuring 23/16/2 inches and having a volume of almost three gallons, the filter reduces pollutants in the incoming outside air, making it comparable to a level of a clean home and operating room. It would carry the OFI CERT” ZG 250-1 certification for virus and bacteria protection. The hood remains locked, and in case of a requirement to open it, say to replace the air filter, only a technician at an authorized service station would be able to do it.

Mercedes-Benz has come up with a new scent called No.6 MOOD mimosa, especially for its flagship electric SUV. The new scent has an earthy fragrance mixed with subtly sensual hints.

Augmented Reality Head-Up Display

Another visual highlight is an AR-enabled head-up display, the display area of which is equivalent to a screen measuring 77 inches diagonally. Like MBUX Hyperscreen, it is an optional feature.

Second-row passengers experience a highly digital interior, thanks to MBUX High-End Rear Seat Entertainment. This feature consists of two 11.6-inch touchscreen panels mounted on the front seats’ backrests. The Hey Mercedes voice assistant is operable from the rear as well. One can expect the availability of an MBUX rear tablet with downloadable Android apps.

Acoustic Comfort Package

To make the EQS the quietest Mercedes SUV ever, Mercedes-Benz Group extends its efforts to offer customers additional insulation measures with an Acoustic Comfort Package. With this package, customers get an option to configure their EQS SUV with acoustically effective laminated windows, leading to reduced wind noise and ambient noise when the vehicle is in motion.

A panoramic sunroof is a standard in the U.S.-spec EQS SUV, and for this feature, there are enough noise reduction measures, such as wind deflectors, covers, and seals with improved geometry.

Advanced climate control

With pre-entry climate control and Thermotronic automatic climate control, the Mercedes EQS SUV offers excellent climate comfort in most situations the very second customers step inside.

With pre-entry climate control, customers can set the departure time and desired cabin temperature in advance using the Mercedes me app or the vehicle’s central display. In the case of preheating, pre-entry climate control would extend to not only the interior air but also the seats.

Thermotronic automatic climate control is a four-zone automatic climate control system. The second-row occupants can separately set the temperature for their side using a dedicated climate control panel. Moreover, a sensor for air quality and harmful gases keeps a constant watch on the air quality outside the vehicle. It switches the system to recirculation mode if elevated pollutant levels outside are detected. In the 7-seat version, Thermotronic is a 5-zone automatic climate control system.

Thermotronic is an optional feature, and as standard, the EQS SUV has the Thermatic dual-zone automatic climate control system. Both systems have an intelligent recirculation mode, but nothing beats the Thermotronic. A sensor continuously monitors the quality of the outside air coming into the cabin and automatically switches to recirculation mode if it finds abnormally high levels of harmful gases or a low level of air quality.

Active Ambient Lighting

Energizing Comfort also uses Active Ambient Lighting to provide a better experience. Active Ambient Lighting changes the vehicle’s ambient lighting as per the current drive mode. Moreover, it gives color feedback when using the vehicle’s climate control system, voice assistant, or other features. That’s not all. It is integrated into the vehicle’s driver assistance systems to complement their alerts with visual warnings.

Sound system with Dolby Atmos

As standard, the sound system of the Mercedes EQS SUV features Dolby Atmos, a spatial audio technology that adds more space, depth, and clarity to the music to give listeners an immersive experience. Moreover, it can please comfort-focused customers who desire peace on the go and when using ‘Energizing Nature’ programs that play the calming sounds of nature (forest, sea, rain, etc.) for relaxation.

No virtual mirrors

As Wagener had hinted, the Mercedes EQS SUV doesn’t feature digital exterior mirrors. The Audi e-tron was the world’s first mass-market model to feature virtual exterior mirrors. Wagner told Autocar that virtual exterior mirrors are more aerodynamically efficient, but they aren’t a smart idea. They eat up so much power that they don’t make sense, “especially on electric cars,” the world-renowned car designer said.

Dedicated BEV Platform

Mercedes-Benz Group has developed the EQS SUV on a dedicated electric skateboard architecture called Electric Vehicle Architecture or just EVA that debuted in the EQS sedan. This platform allows an “exceptionally quiet ride” and clever interior packaging for more space in dimensions similar to or smaller than an equivalent combustion engine model.

A report from JESMB says that keeping the Mercedes EQS SUV’s gross vehicle weight (GVW) under 3.5 tonnes (7,716.18 pounds) was a challenge during the development. If a car’s GVW isn’t under 3.5 tonnes, customers in the European Union countries cannot drive it with the standard B category driving license for cars.

Air suspension & Offroad mode

The AIRMATIC air suspension with continuously adjustable damping ADS+ is standard in the Mercedes EQS SUV. Comfort, Sport, Eco, Individual (custom), and Offroad are the available selections of drive mode. AIRMATIC also keeps the ground clearance of the vehicle constant no matter what the vehicle load is. It should be possible to raise the body with this air suspension at slow speeds.

The driver can raise the body by 1 inch at speeds below 37 mph, and once the vehicle reaches above 43 mph, the suspension automatically lowers back to the normal level. In the Comfort and Sport modes, the body lowers down by 10 and 15 mm, respectively, at speeds above 68 mph. However, once the speed reduces to below 50 mph, the body level gets back to normal.

The Offroad mode, usable with or without ESP, raises the vehicle by 25 mm. The vehicle lowers back to normal on reaching above 50 mph, but on decelerating to below 31 mph, it raises again.

Specifications

Performance

The Mercedes EQS SUV line-up includes three variants: 450+, 450 4MATIC, and 580 4MATIC. There’s no word on whether there will be any changes in this aspect with the MY2024 update. However, the carried-over variants, or at least some of them, may have range improvements of as much as around 5%.

The 450+ is a RWD variant with a single motor that generates 355 hp and 419 lb.-ft. of torque. It takes 6.5 seconds for a 0-60 mph sprint. The 450 4MATIC variant uses two motors, with the additional motor propelling the front wheels and enabling AWD. These motors produce 355 hp and 590 lb.-ft. of torque, allowing the EQS SUV to finish the 0-60 mph sprint in just 5.8 seconds. The 580 4MATIC has the same setup, but with more capable motors that generate 536 hp and 633 lb.-ft. of torque and let the electric SUV accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. All three variants have the same top speed – 130 mph.

Aspect\Specification	EQS SUV 450+	EQS SUV 450 4MATIC	EQS SUV 580 4MATIC
Drive System	RWD	AWD	AWD
Output	265 kW (355 hp)	265 kW (355 hp)	400 kW (536 hp)
Torque	568 Nm (419 lb.-ft.)	800 Nm (590 lb.-ft.)	858 Nm (633 lb.-ft.)
0-62 mph Acceleration Time	6.5 seconds	5.8 seconds	4.5 seconds
Top Speed	210 km/h (130 mph)	210 km/h (130 mph)	210 km/h (130 mph)

Range

A 108.4 kWh (net) battery pack with up to 12 cell modules consisting of pouch or hardcase cells enables the motor(s) of the EQS SUV. The cell chemistry is optimized for sustainability. Mercedes-Benz says that the content of scarce materials like nickel, cobalt, and manganese in the cell of the EQS SUV’s batteries is in a ratio of 8:1:1. The cobalt content in these cells is just around 10%.

The 2024 Mercedes EQS SUV may deliver an EPA-est. range of around 330 miles in the 450+ variant and around 300 miles in the 450 4MATIC and 580 4MATIC variants.

Aspect\Specification	EQS SUV 450+	EQS SUV 480 4MATIC	EQS SUV 580 4MATIC
Battery Pack Type	Lithium-ion NCM	Lithium-ion NCM	Lithium-ion NCM
Battery Pack Energy Content	108.4 kWh (net)	108.4 kWh (net)	108.4 kWh (net)
Range	~320 miles	~300 miles	~300 miles

Rear-axle steering

The Mercedes EQS SUV features rear-axle steering in two variants: 4.5° and 10°. The rear-axle steering with a steering angle of 10° is standard in the U.S., and it can reduce the turning circle from 39 to 36 feet.

Bidirectional charging capability

The U.S.-spec Mercedes EQS SUV is chargeable with up to 9.6 kW with AC using the onboard charger and 200 kW with DC at fast-charging stations. The units sold in the USA will feature Combined Charging System or CCS, which allows plugging in AC and DC chargers via the same connection.

Aspect\Specification	2024 Mercedes EQS SUV Charging Time (Expected)
Maximum AC Charging Power	9.6 kW
AC Charging Time (0-100% SoC)	12.5 hours
Maximum DC Charging Power	200 kW
DC Charging Time (10-80% SoC)	31 minutes

Plug & Charge

Mercedes EQS SUV customers in the U.S. will benefit from Plug & Charge functionality at many charging stations. All that the customers would do to charge the electric SUV is open the flap and plug in the charger. The charging station would automatically identify the connected vehicle, and the supply would start flowing without further interactions. The preferred payment method saved in the ‘Mercedes me Charge’ app would automatically debit the payment for charging.

Once you arrive at the charging station, the brand new feature “Plug & Charge” simplifies the complete experience: Plug in, charge, unplug – just as easy. No authentication is required and the payment automatically runs in the background without any additional hassle or action. Plug & Charge will go live with the market launch of the EQS this year.

Sajjad Khan, former Chief Technical Officer, Mercedes-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Strategy Update: electric drive)

The Plug & Charge functionality, which works on the ISO 15118 standard, is available across the entire Electrify America DC fast charger network. Mercedes EQ customers benefit from ChargePoint’s wide network of 60,000 public charging places in the U.S.

We have partnered with ChargePoint in the U.S. Together we will establish a new benchmark charging network with access to almost 60,000 public charging places nationwide through all relevant charging networks. And as an industry first, the additional integration of more than 60,000 semi-public chargers at shopping malls, hotels and workplaces make Mercedes me Charge the largest integrated network in the US – with just one account!

Sajjad Khan, former Chief Technical Officer, Mercedes-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Strategy Update: electric drive)

Free charging

2024 EQS SUV customers in the U.S. will likely be able to use the Electrify America DC Fast Charging for two years for free. Customers may get unlimited 30-minute sessions via Mercedes me Charge from activation of the service for free.

Autonomous driving

Mercedes-Benz is the world’s first automotive company that has received internationally valid system approval for an SAE Level 3 autonomous driving system. The company plans to start offering Drive Pilot in Nevada and California with the 2024 S-Class and 2024 EQS in the second half of 2023. The 2024 EQS SUV will likely be the next model to get Drive Pilot. Similarly, the availability may expand to more states in the future.

Drive Pilot uses data collected by the vehicle’s radar, ultrasound sensors, camera, moisture sensors, and LiDAR. In addition, a digital HD map offers a 3D image of the road and the surroundings with road geometry information, route characteristics, traffic signs, and special traffic events, if any (e.g. maintenance works or accidents). The vehicle performs certain driving tasks automatically but requires a driver. The driver has to remain alert at all times and may need to take back control at any time.

On activating Drive Pilot, the system for conditionally automated driving controls the speed and distance and keeps the vehicle within its lane. It can perform evasive maneuvers and apply brakes if needed during unexpected traffic situations and handle the vehicle independently. It works at speeds of up to 40 mph.

In the future, Mercedes-Benz will introduce SAE Level 4 fully automated, driverless parking with a feature called Intelligent Park Pilot. The Mercedes EQS SUV is technically ready for SAE Level 4 autonomous driving.

New automated driving features should be progressively enabled with software upgrades at various stages during the EQS SUV’s lifecycle. For example, since April 26, 2023, EQS 450 4MATIC SUV customers can increase the maximum power from 355 hp to 435 hp (+80 hp) and reduce its 0-60 mph acceleration time from 5.8 seconds to 4.9 seconds with a lifetime upgrade at USD 2,950, a yearly upgrade at USD 900/year, or a monthly upgrade at USD 90/month.

Unmatched safety

The 2024 Mercedes EQS SUV is likely to be among the safest electric luxury SUVs in the industry. Plenty of new-age active and passive safety features, including but not limited to the following, will likely be available in the bespoke electric SUV:

• Window airbags (standard)
• Driver’s side knee airbag
• Evasive Steering Assist
• Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC (standard)
• Active Steering Assist
• Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function
• Active Blind Spot Assist and exit warning function
• Parking Package with a surround-view camera (standard)
• Acoustic presence indicator (standard)

Made in America

The global production of the Mercedes EQS SUV, like Mercedes EQE SUV, takes place at the Tuscaloosa plant in the U.S. Given the high demand for SUVs in the U.S., it’s understandable why Mercedes-Benz Group has decided to make its larger electric SUVs in Tuscaloosa. The American factory in the state of Alabama produces the GLE, the GLE Coupe, and the full-size GLS as well.

The EQS SUV uses batteries manufactured at an in-house factory located in Bibb County, which is only 7 miles away from the Tuscaloosa plant. Dura Automotive Systems’ 200,000-sq.-ft. factory in Muscle Shoals (Colbert County, Alabama) supplies the battery enclosures required for Mercedes-Benz EVs made in Tuscaloosa.

To reach our goal until the end of the decade, we will need a capacity of more than 200 Gigawatt hours. Therefore, I’m happy to announce today that we will set up eight new gigafactories together with our partners around the world. One of the gigafactories will be set up in the U.S. to produce the majority of batteries for the cars and vans from our Tuscaloosa and Charleston plant.

Mercedes-Benz Cars COO and Mercedes-Benz Group R&D head Markus Schäfer (Mercedes-Benz Strategy Update: electric drive)

Price

The 2024 Mercedes EQS SUV’s prices could start at around USD 107,000.

TopElectricSUV says

The 2024 Mercedes EQS SUV will aim to establish itself as a top-tier electric luxury SUV in the U.S. market. With its upscale appeal, it will offer buyers a plethora of comfort, convenience, and connectivity features. However, it may not be the optimal choice for customers seeking ample third-row space, performance, or extended range. For those specific requirements, competitors such as the upcoming Lucid Gravity and the currently available Rivian R1S are likely to offer more suitable options.

Mercedes EQS SUV FAQs

Featured Image Source: Mercedes-Benz Group