After having a little affair with a flagship Tesla, driving the European rival was a welcoming change from what I thought was the pinnacle of EV luxury. Being an ardent Mercedes follower, I was excited to finally get my hands on the 2024 Mercedes Benz EQS 450+ SUV. Between the serene interior, a multitude of graphics, and the ride quality of a marshmallow, Mercedes has made an electric SUV that would appeal to the typical S-Class owner.

In its heyday, Mercedes’ innovations were considered avant-garde for any vehicle in the market. Being in a luxury flagship Mercedes meant being a part of the future available to the very exclusive. S-Classes would be the trendsetter for what’s to be seen in cars in the upcoming decade. The same holds for its electric sibling – the EQS. In SUV form, the vehicle may not differentiate itself from the crowd, but the EQS SUV has been engineered for sheer pleasure. In a world of your own, the vehicle isolates you from the outside elements making you feel quietly confident on the road. “Shhhh! I know I can do 60 MPH in a 35 with this SUV.” 

First Impressions

I wasn’t particularly a fan of how the vehicle looked from the back. It is as if Mercedes took the EQS sedan, opened Photoshop, stretched up all the layers, and then positioned the taillamp higher to make it seem like an SUV. My disdain for the exterior was quickly undermined as I entered the cockpit. Sitting in the EQS, I was warmly greeted by seats that hug and an immersive surround sound system. The interior was nothing short of opulent. I do wish that I had the chance to experience Mercedes’ Hyperscreen. 

Typically, in a Mercedes, it is very easy to understand the infotainment system and navigate its controls. However, the new iteration of MBUX had me stumped. Menu after menu. Option after option. It was endless and outright distracting while driving. Once acquainted with the car’s functions, the sailing did get smooth. 

Reversing out of tight spaces? Pulling into one? There is no need to fear. The car may feel big, but Mercedes has gone above and beyond with its driver aids. The 360 surround cameras, paired with sensors all around, and automatic views made any tight space a breeze to navigate. Just don’t trust the parking assist and all will be well.

Quiet confidence would be the best way to describe the ride of this vehicle. Effortless acceleration, nimble steering, non-existent outside noise, and a cushy air suspension system reminded me that I was sitting in a snobbish Executive’s Mercedes, not the average Joe’s BMW.

Dynamics – If Marshmallows Could Be Driven

No, I haven’t been overdosing on marshmallows. The EQS SUV is tuned for straight comfort on every piece of road. Whether it is potholes, sharp corners, or speed bumps, the EQS magically made them nonexistent. With a sublime and floaty ride, 60 felt like 35. Curves would be a piece of cake, but the laws of physics can’t be bent. After all the raised-up ride height and weight had to show somewhere. Cornering will remind even the most confident drivers. 

However, put the luxury liner in sports mode and the car didn’t shy away from challenges. Going out of character, the suspension stiffened up and the steering added a few pounds. It was as if the car just had a Thanksgiving feast. I wouldn’t call it sporty. True to Mercedes’ nature, however, the car didn’t hesitate when thrown through a corner. 

Keep this car as a daily driver or a cruiser for the highways, and the experience is serene. Keep this car for the sake of spirited driving, and that may be asking for a bit of trouble. At some point, one would feel underwhelmed by the car’s nature and would crave for a bit more when it comes to cornering and spirited driving. That being said, the typical EQS owner would probably own one for the sake of getting to their destination in comfort and stress-free. 

Comfort – Zen for Everyone

Being a raised SUV, the EQS offered more height, backspace, and leg space, making it a comfortable ride for all passengers. With active bolstering and seat massagers, the driver and passenger are in for a spa-like feel. Ambient lighting and premium finishes added to the overall elegance.

Many EV manufacturers tend to ignore the needs of backseat passengers. Not the EQS SUV. In this car, everyone deserves luxury. There was ample space for the legs and the head. The seating posture felt easy, not forced. Lastly, the rear-seat controls worked.

Equipment – A Techy Nerd Fest

One of the highlights of the car was the marvelous Heads-Up display – informative but not distracting. The display was crisp and clear proving to be incredibly useful while driving. Right below that stood the actual driver display. A multitude of customizable views and settings showcase Mercedes’ graphics prowess, however it felt a bit overwhelming. Especially while driving. What I would have preferred was to see audio and navigation on one screen or driver assistance, directions, and audio on one screen, instead of having to go through so many options and changing so many digital elements.

The same story follows when we move our attention towards the MBUX system. The first-generation MBUX was very user-friendly, and the “home screen” had everything in one place. My specific test vehicle had the Navi map as the main screen with a Windows-OS-like taskbar leading to different car functions. Credit where credit is due, Mercedes kept all the essential functions and information within the Navi screen – audio information and climate controls. 

The Burmester sound system was a game-changer for me, and it made me reconsider my whole car. It was the best sound system I have ever heard. I have been exposed to the Bang and Olufsen in flagship Audis and Bowers and Wilkins in Volvos/BMWs. None of those systems even come close to the crispness and balance of the sound that comes from the Burmester system in the EQS. After going through the audio personalization setup, this Burmester sound system takes the honor of being the best sound system I have ever heard. 

Other notable equipment: the car’s driver assists were excellent. I think Mercedes has the best adaptive cruise control, lane control, lane changing, and camera system in the industry. I also maintain that the headlights were fantastic, and the auto high beams were fun with animations.  However, I would think twice before engaging the automatic parking assist.

I did have one quibble with the door handle. Where Mercedes tried to innovate the way one enters the vehicle, the integration backfired in practice. There were times when the vehicle wouldn’t recognize the key being nearby, therefore there was no way to enter the vehicle. In one instance, the door handle was itching to pinch my fingers. I would argue that the old-school Mercedes door handles were sophisticated enough. Why change it?

Final Verdict

Being in an EQS SUV can be compared to being in a first-class seat aboard a luxury airliner. One is simply isolated from the inconveniences of the road, living in their own biome with the EQS.  

While some people may not be too savvy with the car’s styling, the typical owner will find it understated, mature, and exactly what the typical S-Class owner is. It doesn’t shout “Look at me,” but it still makes you feel special.