Compare the2023 Mercedes EQS VS 2023 Lexus LS

The rear seatbelts optional on the EQS inflate when a collision is detected, helping to spread crash forces over a much larger area of the body and limiting head and neck movement. This can help prevent spinal and internal injuries. The LS doesn’t offer inflatable seatbelts.

The EQS’ standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The LS doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the EQS and the LS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Mercedes EQS weighs 504 to 1256 pounds more than the Lexus LS. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

There are over 57 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the EQS’ warranty.

The EQS has more powerful engines than the LS:

	Horsepower	Torque
EQS 450+ electric motor	329 HP	419 lbs.-ft.
EQS 450+ 4MATIC electric motors	335 HP	590 lbs.-ft.
EQS 580 4MATIC electric motors	536 HP	633 lbs.-ft.
AMG EQS electric motors	751 HP	752 lbs.-ft.
LS 500h 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid	354 HP	350 lbs.-ft.
LS 500 3.4 turbo V6	416 HP	442 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes EQS is faster than the LS 500 3.4 turbo V6:

	EQS 580 4MATIC	AMG EQS	LS
Zero to 60 MPH	3.7 sec	3 sec	5.8 sec
Quarter Mile	12.2 sec	11.4 sec	14.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	113.3 MPH	119 MPH	101.2 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the EQS gets better mileage than the LS:

			MPGe
EQS
	RWD	450+ Electric Motor	97 city/97 hwy
	AWD	4MATIC Electric Motors	101 city/105 hwy
		580 4MATIC Electric Motors	92 city/99 hwy
		AMG Electric Motors	76 city/78 hwy
LS
			MPG
	RWD	500 3.4 turbo V6	18 city/29 hwy
	AWD	500h 3.5 V6 Hybrid	22 city/29 hwy
		500 3.4 turbo V6	17 city/27 hwy

The EQS can travel with zero emissions for 277 to 350 miles (dependent on model). The LS has to start its internal combustion engine after only .6 miles.

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the EQS’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Lexus only offers a regenerative brake system on the LS 500h.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes EQS higher (10 out of 10) than the Lexus LS (5 to 7). This means the EQS produces up to 19.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the LS every 15,000 miles.

The EQS AMG’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The LS doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the EQS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the LS:

	EQS	AMG EQS CCB	LS	LS 500 F Sport
Front Rotors	15.4 inches	17.4 inches	14 inches	15.7 inches
Rear Rotors	14.9 inches	14.9 inches	13.1 inches	14.1 inches

The EQS AMG offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The LS doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The EQS stops much shorter than the LS:

	EQS	LS
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	185 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	123 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the EQS has larger standard tires than the LS (255/45R20 vs. 245/50R19). The AMG EQS’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the LS (275/40R21 vs. 245/45R20).

The EQS’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LS’ standard 50 series tires. The EQS’ optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the LS 500 F Sport’s 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the EQS has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the LS. The EQS’ optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the LS.

The front and rear suspension of the EQS uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the LS, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The EQS’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The LS doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the EQS’ wheelbase is 3.4 inches longer than on the LS (126.4 inches vs. 123 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the EQS is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the LS.

The EQS’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the LS’ (53% to 47%). This gives the EQS more stable handling and braking.

The AMG EQS 4MATIC handles at .92 G’s, while the LS 500 AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The EQS 580 4MATIC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the LS 500h AWD (25.2 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 27 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the EQS w/10° rear-wheel steering’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the LS’ (35.8 feet vs. 36.8 feet). The EQS’ turning circle is .4 feet tighter than the LS AWD’s (39 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The design of the Mercedes EQS amounts to more than styling. The EQS has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .2 Cd. That is significantly lower than the LS (.28 to .3) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the EQS get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the EQS uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The LS doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the EQS 580 4MATIC is quieter than the LS 500 AWD (64 vs. 65 dB).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the EQS a Large car, while the LS is rated a Mid-size.

The EQS has 3.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the LS (103 vs. 99.4).

The EQS has 3.1 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear legroom and 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the LS.

The EQS’ standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LS doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes EQS has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console and for the rear passengers. The LS doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The EQS’ Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The LS doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the EQS first among large premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The LS isn’t in the top three.