Compare the2024 Mercedes EQSVS 2024 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.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The EQS has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The LS doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

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 and rear 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 407 to 1168 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:

As tested in Car and Driver the EQS 450+ electric motor is faster than the LS 500h 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid:

As tested in Consumer Reports the EQS 580 4MATIC is faster than the LS 500 3.4 turbo V6:

As tested in Car and Driver the AMG EQS electric motors is faster than the LS 500h 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid:

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

The EQS can travel with zero emissions for 305 to 352 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:

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:

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 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1.8 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’ (52% to 48%). This gives the EQS more stable handling and braking.

The AMG EQS 4MATIC handles at .92 G’s, while the LS 500h AWD pulls only .81 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 AMG EQS’ turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the LS AWD’s (37.7 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.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the EQS to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The LS doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

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’ automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The Mercedes EQS outsold the Lexus LS by almost three to one during 2023.