The first Mercedes EQS electric SUV to be built locally, launched in the U.S., in fall 2022. It is anticipated that the MY2024 version will be released in Q3 of 2023, as its first model-year update approaches. Here’s a sneak peek at what to expect from the Mercedes EQS 2024 SUV.
2024 Mercedes EQS Review
The Mercedes EQS SUV 2024 will be a carryover, so its exterior will remain the same. You can expect to see new paint and wheel options, which will visually differentiate it from the model that it replaces, as well as some standard equipment differences between the Premium, Exclusive, and Pinnacle grades. The Mercedes EQS is not a modified version (GLS SUV with a closed facia) of a Mercedes ICE vehicle, unlike the Mercedes EQA or the Mercedes EQB. The EQS SUV is a new model, designed from scratch. It has dynamic proportions and looks, unlike anything you would expect for a combustion-engine product. The EQS measures 201.9 inches. in length, 77.1 in. 77.1 in. in height. The EQS has the same 126.4-inch wheelbase.
The EQS SUV has a drag coefficient that is much lower than the GLS (0.32 Cd) – only 0.20 Cd. According to an Auto Express article, Mercedes-Benz Group Chief Design Officer Gorden Wanner said that the EQS SUV was “more seamless, integrated, aerodynamic and futuristic-looking” than the GLS (0.32 Cd). The Mercedes EQS has a sleek, sci-fi-style silhouette with low-profile bumpers and a closed-off black upper grille. The EQS SUV has a low ground clearance and a short length. It also has a low height and low roofline.
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 will not only serve as a piece for decor but will also hide the various sensors required by driver assistance systems (such as radar, ultrasound, and camera). The A-pillar on the EQS sedan is steeply raked to create a spacious passenger compartment. Design moguls refer to this as cab-forward, with short overhangs at the front and a smooth rounded rear. Mercedes EQS SUV features headlights that feature a DRL with three small triangles beneath a straight line.
The EQS SUV has a C-pillar that is positioned far behind on the side, highlighting the spaciousness of the interior. The highlights include 21-inch wheels with a muscular shoulder area, standard flush door handles, and a muscular shoulder. The location of the wiper fluid service flap, which is integrated into the left fender side, should also be noted. The EQS SUV’s rear is not upright like that of the GLS. The EQS SUV has a tailgate that is similar to a crossover, with a windscreen that leans forward. Just like the EQS, the detailing on the rear lights takes the form of a curved 3-D helix. The GLS trim is replaced by a narrow band of light that connects the rear lights. This gives the SUV a sci-fi, sophisticated look.
Headlamps with Digital Lights can project warning or guide symbols on the road. The light modules have three powerful LEDs per module, and a combined resolution greater than 2.6 million pixels. These headlamps are controlled by the navigation system, and they take into account hills when projecting any information onto the road. The light band that runs between the headlamps gives the SUV an almost futuristic look.
Interior
The interior of the Mercedes EQS SUV is remarkably distinct from that of the GLS or S-Class. Mercedes-Benz Group replicated the sensational interior of the EQS sedan with SUV-specific features. The interior was well-received from an aesthetic standpoint, so Mercedes-Benz won’t have to change it with the update for MY2024. The company may adjust the standard and optional features of the vehicle’s equipment.
Mercedes EQS SUV comes with the MBUX hyper screen, a highly digital dashboard option that was first introduced in the EQS. The large, curved Gorilla Glass surfaces stretch nearly the width of the vehicle. Behind it are three displays: driver display, central display, and passenger display. Both the central and passenger displays use OLEDs.
With its full-width (56 inches), curved 3-D glass cover, and three flush-mounted displays that blend seamlessly, the MBUX Hyperscreen brings a new user experience in-car. From entertainment, connectivity, navigation, massaging, energy management, and more, almost every vehicle feature is available at your fingertips. The 12.3″ OLED passenger screen allows you to watch videos on the move and dims automatically if you are looking at it. Carmakers are developing different forms of entertainment in the car, while also focusing their attention on safety, as the future of mobility is set to gradually become autonomous.
Vera Schmidt of Mercedes-Benz Advanced Digital Design said the MBUX hyper screen is a “milestone in combining analog with digital design”. She said that the clear, minimalist design of the MBUX Hyperscreen and its strong anchor points made it easy to use. MBUX High-End Rear Seat Entertainment Plus ensures that chauffeurs stay connected. The two headrests are equipped with two displays measuring 11.6 inches each.
Standard on the driver’s and front passenger’s seats is a memory feature. Both are fully electric adjustable. Standard features include a 4-way lumbar, luxury headrest, and ventilation. Optional are multi-contour seats with massage functions. Second-row seats can be equipped with an electrically adjustable backrest that folds in a 40-20-40 split, with electric adjustment fore/aft (by 5 inches) and with luxury headrests. The rear seat heating system is optional.
The Mercedes EQS is available as a 5-seater or 7-seater, the latter with individual third-row seating. In the U.S., the second-row seats are equipped with a 5-inch electric adjustment for forward and reverse. The backrests can be adjusted by up to 4 degrees in front and 14 degrees at the back. The luggage compartment is 23 cubic feet in the five-seater version. The luggage compartment has a capacity of 23 cu. By adjusting the rear seat, you can gain an additional 8 cu.
The Mercedes EQS SUV can accommodate up to four golf bags depending on the seating arrangement. The 7-seater version has a trunk space of 71.3 cubic feet. There’s 6.8 cu. Behind the third-row seat, there is a 6.8 cu. Standard Easy Entry allows easy access to the third-row seats by moving forward the backrest beyond the normal adjustment range up to 11.4 inches. Third-row seat heating is an optional feature.
Mercedes EQS SUVs are available with a feature known as Energizing Air Control Plus. This feature uses active carbon and a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) filter to keep the cabin free of pollen, fine particles, and other contaminants. The HEPA filters are located under the aluminum hood. The filter measures 23/16/2 inches and has a volume of nearly three gallons. It reduces pollutants from the outside air and is comparable to the level of cleanliness in a home or operating room. The filter would be certified by OFI CERT ” ZG 250-1 for protection against viruses and bacteria. If the hood needs to be opened, for example, to replace an air filter, it can only be done by a technician from a service station authorized. Mercedes-Benz created a new scent, No.6 MOOD Mimosa, specifically for its flagship electric SUV. The new scent is earthy with subtle sensual notes.
A head-up AR display with a display area equivalent to a 77-inch diagonal screen is another visual highlight. It is also an optional feature, like MBUX Hyperscreen. MBUX High-End Rear Seat Entertainment provides a digitally enhanced interior for second-row passengers. The feature is two 11.6″ touchscreens mounted on the backrests of the front seats. Hey, Mercedes can be operated from the back. An MBUX rear-facing tablet with Android apps is expected to be available.
The Acoustic Comfort Package is an additional insulation measure offered by Mercedes-Benz Group to make the EQS SUV the quietest Mercedes-Benz SUV ever. This package allows customers to customize their EQS SUVs with acoustically efficient laminated windows that reduce wind noise and other noises when the vehicle moves. The U.S.-spec EQS has a panoramic sunroof as standard. There are also noise reduction measures such as wind deflectors and covers with improved geometries.
Features
Mercedes Me or the central display of the vehicle can be used to set the desired cabin temperature and departure time in advance. Pre-heating would be controlled by pre-entry climate controls, which also include the interior air and the seats. Thermotronic automatic temperature control is a four-zone automatic climate system. Second-row passengers can set their temperature using a climate control panel. A sensor that monitors air quality and harmful gasses keeps an eye on the outside air. The system switches to recirculation if it detects high levels of pollution outside. Thermotronic, a 5-zone climate control system is available in the 7-seater version.
Thermotronic comes as an option, but the EQS SUV is equipped with the Thermatic automatic dual-zone climate control system. Thermotronic is the best of both systems. Both have intelligent recirculation modes, but Thermotronic has a superior one. A sensor constantly monitors the quality and quantity of outside air entering the cabin. It switches automatically to the recirculation setting if the air quality is low or abnormally high.
Energizing Comfort uses Active Ambient lighting to enhance the experience. Active Ambient Lighting adjusts the ambient lighting of the vehicle according to the driving mode. It also provides color feedback while using features such as the voice assistant or climate control system. Not only that. The system is also integrated with the driver assistance systems of vehicles to provide visual warnings in addition to alerts.
The Mercedes EQS SUV’s sound system features Dolby Atmos as standard. This spatial audio technology adds depth and clarity to the music, giving listeners a more immersive experience. It can also please customers who are looking for peace on the move, especially when they use ‘Energizing Nature,’ which plays the soothing sounds of nature like forest, sea, or rain. Relaxation.
Mercedes EQS SUV does not have digital exterior mirrors, as Wagener hinted. The Audi e-tron is the first mass-market vehicle to have virtual exterior mirrors. Wagner told Autocar virtual exterior mirrors were more aerodynamically effective, but not a good idea. The world-renowned designer of cars said that virtual exterior mirrors are so energy-intensive, they’re not a good idea.
The EQS SUV was developed by the Mercedes-Benz Group on a dedicated skateboard electric architecture, called Electric Vehicle Architecture (EVA), which debuted with the EQS sedan. This platform offers an “exceptionally silent ride” as well as clever interior packaging to provide more space with dimensions that are similar to or smaller than a combustion engine equivalent model.
According to a report by JESMB, keeping the Mercedes EQS’s Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), or 7,716.18 pounds (7,716.18 kilograms), under 3.5 tonnes was a major challenge for the SUV during development. Customers in European Union countries are not allowed to drive a vehicle with a standard B category license if the GVW of the car is over 3.5 tonnes.
Mercedes EQS SUV comes standard with AIRMATIC air-suspension and continuously adjustable damping ADS+. Drive modes include Comfort, Eco, Sport, Individual (custom), Offroad, and Eco. AIRMATIC maintains the same ground clearance for the vehicle regardless of its load. This air suspension should allow the body to be raised at low speeds. When the vehicle is traveling below 37 mph the driver can raise the body 1 inch. Once the vehicle reaches 43 mph the suspension will automatically return to its normal setting. In Sport and Comfort modes, the vehicle’s body will lower by 15 and 10 mm respectively at speeds over 68 mph. Once the speed drops below 50 mph the body level returns to normal.
Offroad mode is available with or without ESP and raises the vehicle 25 mm. When the vehicle reaches 50 mph or more, it lowers to its normal position. However, if you decelerate to less than 31 mph and then raise it again, it will return to its normal position.
Engine & Specs
Mercedes EQS SUVs are available in three different variants, 450+, 4504MATIC and 5804MATIC. No word has been released on whether this will change with the update for MY2024. The carried-over variants or some of them may see a range improvement of up to 5%.
The 450+ RWD is equipped with a single engine that produces 355 hp, and 419 lb. ft. The sprint from 0-60 mph takes 6.5 seconds. The 450 4MATIC uses two motors. One motor drives the front wheels, while the other motor enables AWD. The motors are capable of producing 355 hp, 590 lb. ft., and allow the EQS SUV a 0-60 mph sprint time of just 5.8 sec. The 580 4MATIC uses the same motors, but they are more powerful and produce 536 hp. They also generate 633 lb. ft. All three models have the same maximum speed of 130 mph.
The EQS SUV is powered by a 108.4 kWh battery pack (net), consisting of up to 12 modules of pouches or hardcase cell modules. The cell chemistry has been optimized for sustainability. Mercedes-Benz claims that the ratio of nickel, manganese, and cobalt in the cells of the EQS SUV batteries is 8:1:1. Cobalt is only 10% in these cells. The Mercedes EQS SUV 2024 may have an EPA-est. The 450+ and 450/4MATIC models have a range of approximately 330 miles, while the 580/4MATIC and 450+ 4MATIC versions can travel up to 300 miles.
Mercedes EQS SUVs feature rear-axle steerage in two versions: 4.5deg or 10deg. In the U.S. the rear-axle steer with a 10deg steering angle is standard. It can reduce the turn circle from 39 feet to 36 feet. Mercedes EQS SUVs sold in the USA can be charged with up to 9.6 kW AC via an onboard charger, and up to 200 kW DC at a fast charging station. The US-spec Mercedes EQS SUVs will have a Combined Charging System (CCS) that allows AC and DC chargers to be plugged in via the same connector.
Mercedes EQS customers in the U.S. can benefit from Plug & Charge at many charging stations. To charge their electric SUV, customers simply need to open the flap and plug the charger in. The charging station will automatically recognize the connected vehicle and supply will begin without any further interaction. The payment will be debited automatically if the preferred payment method is saved in the app ‘Mercedes Me Charge.
The Plug & Charge functionality is available on all Electrify America DC Fast Chargers. It works according to the ISO 15118 standard. Mercedes EQ owners can take advantage of ChargePoint’s extensive network of 60,000 charging stations in the U.S. Customers of the 2024 EQS SUV in the U.S. can use ElectrifyAmerica DC Fast Charging free for two years. Mercedes Me Charge customers can get free unlimited 30-minute sessions after activation.
Driving
Mercedes-Benz has become the first automaker in the world to receive international system approval for an SAE Level 3 autonomous vehicle driving system. Drive Pilot will be available in Nevada and California in the second half of 2023 with the 2024 S Class and 2024 E-Class. Drive Pilot will be available on the 2024 EQS, an SUV. In the future, Drive Pilot may be available in more states.
Drive Pilot collects data from the vehicle’s LiDAR, radar, ultrasonic sensors, camera, and moisture sensors. A digital HD map provides a 3D view of the road, and the surrounding area, with information on road geometry, route characteristics, and traffic signs. Maintenance works or accidents. The vehicle can perform certain driving tasks on its own but still requires a driver. The driver must remain alert and ready to take control at all times.
When Drive Pilot is activated, the system of conditionally automated driving regulates the speed and distance. It also keeps the vehicle in its lane. It can make evasive moves and brake if necessary in unexpected traffic situations, and it can handle the vehicle on its own. It can work at speeds up to 40 mph.
Mercedes-Benz is planning to introduce a driverless, fully automated parking system at SAE Level 4 in the future. This feature will be called Intelligent Park Pilot. Mercedes EQS is SAE Level 4 ready. During the lifecycle of an EQS SUV, new automated driving features will be gradually enabled through software upgrades. Customers of the EQS 450 SUV can, for example, upgrade their maximum power to 435 hp (+80 hp), and reduce their 0-60 mph time from 5.8 to 4.9 secs with a lifetime upgrade costing USD 2,950. They can also upgrade yearly at USD 900/year or monthly at USD 90/month.
Safety
The Mercedes EQS SUV 2024 is expected to be one of the safest luxury electric SUVs on the market. The bespoke electric SUV will probably come with several active and passive safety technologies, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Window airbags are standard.
- Driver’s knee airbag
- Evasive Steering Assist
- Active Distance Assist (standard)
- Active Steering Assist
- Active Brake Assistant with Cross-traffic Function
- The Active Blind Spot Assistant and Exit Warning Function
- Parking Package with Surround-View Camera (Standard)
- Acoustic presence indicator (standard).
2024 Mercedes EQS Release Date & Price
Tuscaloosa is the U.S. plant that produces the Mercedes EQS SUV and Mercedes EQE SUV. It’s not surprising that Mercedes-Benz Group decided to produce its larger electric SUVs at the Tuscaloosa plant, given the demand for SUVs across the United States. The American factory, located in Alabama, produces the GLE Coupe and full-size GLS.
The EQS SUV is powered by batteries produced at a factory in Bibb County, only 7 miles from the Tuscaloosa facility. Dura Automotive Systems, a 200,000-sq.-ft. facility in Muscle Shoals in Colbert County, Alabama, supplies battery enclosures for Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles made in Tuscaloosa. Prices for the 2024 Mercedes EQS SUV could start around USD 107,000.