Compare the2026 Mercedes EQSVS 2026 Lexus LS

The EQS has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The LS doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

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 and rear 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, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Mercedes EQS weighs 595 to 860 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 450 4MATIC’s standard electric motors produces 148 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 442) than the LS’ 3.4 turbo V6. The EQS 580 4MATIC’s standard electric motors produces 120 more horsepower (536 vs. 416) and 191 lbs.-ft. more torque (633 vs. 442) than the LS’ 3.4 turbo V6.

As tested in Consumer Reports the EQS 580 4MATIC electric motors is faster than the Lexus LS:

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

The EQS can travel with zero emissions for 367 to 390 miles (dependent on model). The LS can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the EQS’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The LS doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The EQS, as a pure battery electric vehicle, has no need to “idle” its motors in traffic: they only burn power when moving. The EQS’ climate control systems still work completely when the vehicle is stopped. The LS still runs its internal combustion engine whenever it’s stopped, burning excess fuel.

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 (4). This means the EQS produces up to 25 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. 245/45R20). The EQS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the LS (265/40R21 vs. 245/45R20).

The EQS’ optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LS’ 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the EQS offers optional 21-inch wheels. The LS’ largest wheels are only 20-inches.

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 has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The EQS’ height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The LS doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

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 track (width between the wheels) on the EQS is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than on the LS.

The EQS’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the LS’ (53.3% to 46.7%). This gives the EQS more stable handling and braking.

The EQS 450+ handles at .90 G’s, while the LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition 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 quicker than the LS 500 AWD Heritage Edition (25.2 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 25.7 seconds @ .73 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the EQS 580 4MATIC’s turning circle is 3.4 feet tighter than the LS AWD’s (36 feet vs. 39.4 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 (.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 Heritage Edition (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 5.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the LS (103 vs. 97.6).

The EQS has 3.6 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear legroom and 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the LS.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the EQS’ rear seats recline. The LS’ rear seats don’t recline.

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 has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The LS doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

Both the EQS and the LS offer available massaging front seats. The EQS also offers optional massaging rear seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging rear seats aren’t available in the LS.

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 EQS is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The LS doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Mercedes EQS outsold the Lexus LS by 52% during 2024.