Review: 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS Gets More Autonomy

Mercedes-Benz added several things to the EQS electric sedan for 2024. It’s also the only production car in the U.S. that is certified for Level 3 autonomous driving. (Nope, Tesla doesn’t get to claim that.)

Other changes for 2024 include some standard equipment shuffling, a new braking system, and more power for the 450+ and 580 models. All-wheel steering and a lot of EV range are still part of the EQS’ DNA.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan is the flagship for the German automaker’s lineup of electric vehicles. It’s one of the best EVs available and is, as its name might suggest, the electric version of the S-Class. Most of the luxury, technology, and driver’s aids found in the S are also found in the EQS. And it has a range of up to 350 miles per charge. It often goes more than that, though my own testing was slightly less. Likely due to crosswinds and a heavy highway use mix.

Of note this year is the new Drive Pilot system that is certified as a Level 3 autonomous system. Unfortunately, the system only works up to 40 miles per hour and is only available in California and Nevada. The latter for legal reasons, the former for safety liability. Mercedes says this will change as laws catch up to capability, but it does mean Mercedes-Benz is the first automaker to legally certify a self-driving automobile at Level 3.

Standard in the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS is the large MBUX Hyperscreen infotainment and driver’s instruments screen. This huge screen houses one of the best infotainment UIs in the business. And the only one with true natural language voice control that works almost every time.

In real-world testing, the EQS is often more efficient than the EPA’s range estimates. Our real-world driving, which was mainly at highway speeds, was only slightly under the EPA’s 35 kWh/100 miles at about 36.5. But our drive was highway-heavy and included some crosswinds. It’s safe to say that had we driven more around town and not had crosswinds, we could have met or beaten the EPA’s numbers. That’s unusual in EVs we’ve tested.

And the 2024 EQS doesn’t skim on comfort or design as its justifies its price point. At $105,550 plus delivery at its cheapest point, the EQS isn’t anywhere near average or entry level. But its interior experience, including with its now-standard, electrically-adjustable back seats and near-seamless technology justifies that price point to those in that level of the market.

All in all, we still really like the Mercedes-Benz EQS and like the slight power upgrades and solid range estimates it has.

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