If you’re eyeing a used flagship EV, you’re probably wondering one thing: is the 2024 Mercedes EQS a good buy in 2026, or an overcomplicated science project waiting to go wrong? The answer is that it can be a phenomenal bargain luxury EV, if you buy the right car, with the right protection, and go in with clear eyes about its quirks.
The big picture
Short answer: Is the 2024 EQS a good buy?
Yes, it’s a good buy if…
- You want maximum comfort and range for the money, not track performance.
- You’re shopping used, where the EQS has already taken its massive first‑owner depreciation hit.
- You can get strong warranty coverage, CPO from Mercedes or a reputable third party.
- You’re comfortable with complex tech and don’t mind the occasional software quirk.
Think twice if…
- You’re allergic to service visits or dealer back‑and‑forth.
- You care more about snappy driver assistance and charging network simplicity, this is where Tesla still wins.
- You hate the EQS’s jellybean styling or rear visibility; that won’t change in year three.
- You won’t have ready access to DC fast charging where you live.
Our overall verdict
What changed for the 2024 Mercedes EQS?
By 2024, Mercedes had already responded to early EQS complaints. Compared with the first 2022 cars, most 2024 sedans benefit from incremental improvements that matter if you’re buying used rather than being the guinea pig.
Key 2024 EQS sedan highlights
Why this model year is often the sweet spot
Big battery, strong range
Refined efficiency & braking
Matured software & options
Sedan vs. SUV vs. facelift
Pricing, deals, and depreciation in 2026
2024 EQS value snapshot (2026 used market)
On paper, the depreciation looks brutal, tens of thousands of dollars gone in two years. In practice, that’s exactly why the 2024 EQS is interesting now. You’re not paying new‑car money to be the beta tester; you’re paying mid‑size luxury EV money for a full‑size electric S‑Class alternative.
How the 2024 EQS stacks up on used value
Approximate 2026 used‑market positioning versus key rivals (similar mileage, well‑optioned cars).
| Model | Original MSRP (approx.) | Typical 2026 used ask | 2‑year depreciation feel | Value story |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Mercedes EQS 450+ | $105,000+ | $45,000–$55,000 | Heavy | Flagship comfort and range for E‑Class money. |
| 2024 Mercedes EQS 580 4MATIC | $120,000+ | $55,000–$65,000 | Heavy | More power and options, still deeply discounted. |
| 2024 BMW i7 xDrive60 | $120,000+ | $70,000–$80,000 | Moderate | Holds value better; pricier to step into. |
| 2024 Tesla Model S Long Range | $80,000+ | $55,000–$70,000 | Moderate | Less depreciation, stronger charging network, firmer ride. |
| 2024 Lucid Air Touring | $90,000+ | $60,000–$70,000 | Moderate | Epic range, but smaller dealer footprint and young brand. |
Prices vary by region and condition; use this as a directional guide, not a quote sheet.
Where Recharged fits in
Range, battery, and charging: where the EQS shines
If you strip away the drama and look at fundamentals, the 2024 EQS sedan is built around one big strength: long‑range comfort touring. This is one of the few big luxury EVs that routinely matches, or even beats, its EPA range ratings in independent testing.
Approximate EPA range for 2024 EQS sedan trims
Representative U.S. EPA ratings; exact numbers vary slightly with wheel size and options.
| Trim | Drivetrain | Motors | EPA range (mi, approx.) | Real‑world notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EQS 450+ | RWD | Single motor | ≈352 mi | Often exceeds EPA in gentle highway and mixed driving. |
| EQS 450 4MATIC | AWD | Dual motor | ≈345 mi | Small hit for AWD; still a strong road‑trip car. |
| EQS 580 4MATIC | AWD | Dual motor | ≈345 mi | More power with similar range; efficiency depends on wheel/tire choice. |
| AMG EQS 53 | AWD | High‑output dual | ≈300–305 mi | Still respectable, but driven hard it will use energy quickly. |
Always verify the official EPA label and window sticker for a specific VIN.
Real‑world range behavior
- Usable battery is in the ~108 kWh range for most 2024 sedans, giving a lot of buffer even if degradation begins.
- The 450+ rear‑drive car is your range champ; the 580 adds another motor but doesn’t punish you heavily on distance.
- A proper heat pump and improved energy management versus early years help the 2024 EQS stay efficient in mixed climates.
Charging reality check
2024 EQS reliability: what we know so far
This is where you have to take off the rose‑colored glasses. The EQS is packed with hardware and software, and owner reports from 2022–2024 show a split personality: some cars rack up tens of thousands of quiet, luxurious miles; others bounce between dealer and driveway over electrical gremlins.
Common EQS problem areas owners talk about
Not every car has these issues, but you should shop as if they might.
ADAS & sensors
Software & infotainment
Dealer experience
The honest reliability verdict
Reliability checklist for a used 2024 EQS
1. Demand full service records
Ask for <strong>every repair order</strong> from new. Look for repeat visits for the same concern, especially ADAS, steering, or electrical faults. Walk away from cars with unsolved gremlins.
2. Scan for active faults
Have a specialist scan the car for stored and pending diagnostic trouble codes, not just active warning lights. Some EQS issues disappear temporarily after resets.
3. Verify software and campaign updates
Confirm that all software campaigns, recalls, and service actions have been completed. A surprisingly large number of user‑experience issues are fixed with updates.
4. Check remaining warranty
Know exactly how much <strong>new‑car bumper‑to‑bumper</strong> and high‑voltage battery warranty you have left by build date and in‑service date. Ask about CPO or extended coverage pricing up front.
5. Test every feature you’ll actually use
On the test drive, use adaptive cruise, lane‑keeping, the 3D cluster, massage seats, steering assist parking, and smartphone integration. Don’t just do a quick spin around the block.
6. Get independent EV inspection & battery report
A third‑party EV inspection plus a <strong>battery‑health scan</strong> is non‑negotiable on a flagship like this. On Recharged, the Recharged Score report packages this into every EQS we list.
Ownership experience: comfort, tech, and driving feel
On the road, the 2024 EQS feels like what it is: an S‑Class that went to architecture school and moved into a wind tunnel. It’s whisper‑quiet, eerily smooth, and very much tuned for comfort over drama.
What living with a 2024 EQS actually feels like
Where it delights, and where it can frustrate.
Comfort & ambiance
Driving character & tech
Design and packaging quirks
When the 2024 EQS is a great buy
- You want a luxury EV road‑trip car more than a canyon carver or drag‑strip star.
- You’re stepping out of a gas S‑Class, 7 Series, A8, or big Lexus and want a similar sense of isolation and theater.
- You’re willing to trade first‑owner bragging rights for massive depreciation savings.
- You can get a car with a clean history, strong battery‑health data, and at least a couple of years of meaningful warranty left.
- You have access to DC fast charging (CCS or NACS via adapter) and home Level 2 charging, so you’re not relying on 120‑volt outlets.
The EQS sweet‑spot buyer
When you should skip it, or wait
Every great used‑car story has a flip side. There are a few scenarios where the 2024 EQS just isn’t the smartest move.
Situations where the 2024 EQS may not be a good buy
It’s okay to admit when a car doesn’t fit your life.
You hate service visits
You road‑trip far from fast chargers
You’ll stretch to the payment
EQS vs. newer options
How to shop a used 2024 EQS like a pro
The EQS is not the kind of car you impulse‑buy off a random listing and hope for the best. Treat it like you’re interviewing it for a long‑term job in your driveway.
Step‑by‑step game plan for buying a 2024 EQS
1. Start with the right trim
Decide up front whether you want the <strong>450+ (max range, RWD)</strong>, <strong>450 4MATIC</strong>, <strong>580 4MATIC</strong>, or AMG. For most buyers, the 450+ or 580 delivers the best mix of power, efficiency, and value.
2. Shortlist by options, not just color
Focus on features that matter every day: <strong>adaptive cruise and lane‑keep, massage seats, head‑up display, rear‑axle steering, upgraded audio</strong>. These are what separate a truly special EQS from a merely nice one.
3. Get a battery‑health baseline
Ask for objective data on <strong>state of health (SoH)</strong>, not just a dashboard range estimate. A battery with healthy capacity today is the foundation for a happy long‑term ownership story.
4. Inspect and drive in varied conditions
Schedule a test drive over rough pavement, highway speeds, and tight parking. Listen for suspension noises, feel for brake weirdness, and pay attention to how smooth, or jittery, the lane‑keeping behaves.
5. Price against the real market
Use multiple sources to compare asking prices for similar year/mileage/trim cars. A big discount may hide a bruised history; an overpriced car may just be riding the “rare color” fantasy.
6. Use specialists who live and breathe EVs
A typical dealer lot is not always the best place to untangle a modern EV’s story. Marketplaces like <strong>Recharged</strong> specialize in <strong>battery diagnostics, fair‑market pricing, and EV‑savvy support</strong>, so you’re not flying blind on a six‑figure‑when‑new flagship.
The 2024 EQS is the kind of car that makes sense only when you see the price tag with two or three birthdays on it. At that point, you’re buying comfort, range, and theater for pennies on the development dollar.
FAQ: 2024 Mercedes EQS as a used buy
Frequently asked questions about buying a 2024 EQS
So, is the 2024 Mercedes EQS a good buy? In 2026, it can be one of the smartest ways to slip into true flagship EV luxury for used‑Camry money, provided you respect what it is. This is a deeply engineered, deeply digital Mercedes that rewards careful shopping, honest battery data, and robust warranty coverage. If that sounds like your kind of homework, a vetted 2024 EQS on a platform like Recharged, with a Recharged Score and EV‑savvy support behind it, can turn what started as someone else’s risky experiment into your favorite long‑distance companion.
