Compare the2024 Mercedes EQS SUVVS 2024 Lexus RZ

The EQS SUV’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The RZ doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The EQS SUV’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The RZ 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 SUV has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The RZ doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the EQS SUV and the RZ have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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 SUV weighs 1444 to 2050 pounds more than the Lexus RZ. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles 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 SUV’s warranty.

The EQS SUV has more powerful engines than the RZ:

The EQS SUV can travel longer on a full charge than the RZ on a full charge:

For better stopping power the EQS SUV’s brake rotors are larger than those on the RZ:

The EQS SUV stops much shorter than the RZ:

For better traction, the EQS SUV has larger tires than the RZ (275/45R21 vs. 235/60R18).

The EQS SUV’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RZ’s standard 60 series front and 55 series rear tires. The EQS SUV’s tires are lower profile than the RZ’s optional 50 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the EQS SUV has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the RZ. The RZ’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires optional on the EQS SUV can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The RZ doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

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

The EQS SUV has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The RZ’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The EQS SUV has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The EQS SUV’s 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 RZ doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The EQS SUV’s 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 RZ doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the EQS SUV’s wheelbase is 14.2 inches longer than on the RZ (126.4 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the EQS SUV is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than on the RZ.

The EQS SUV’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (47% to 53%) than the RZ’s (54.2% to 45.8%). This gives the EQS SUV more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the EQS SUV’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the RZ’s (36 feet vs. 36.8 feet).

The EQS SUV offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the RZ can only carry 5.

The EQS SUV has 2.1 inches more front headroom, 4.8 inches more front shoulder room, 1.9 inches more rear headroom, 3.8 inches more rear legroom and 5.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the RZ.

The EQS SUV has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RZ with its rear seat folded (74.2 vs. 55.6 cubic feet).

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the EQS SUV’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The RZ doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The EQS SUV has a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The RZ has no towing capacity.

Optional Trailer Stability Assist on the EQS SUV uses the Electronic Stability Program sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The RZ doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

An ASSYST PLUS is standard on the EQS SUV to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Lexus doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the RZ.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the RZ, the EQS SUV has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and climate settings and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The power windows standard on both the EQS SUV and the RZ have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the EQS SUV is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The RZ prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the EQS SUV the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the RZ can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the EQS SUV has a standard rear wiper. The RZ doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Consumer Reports rated the EQS SUV’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the RZ’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the EQS SUV has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The RZ doesn’t offer cornering lights. The EQS SUV also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The EQS SUV offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the RZ.

The Mercedes EQS SUV outsold the Lexus RZ by 67% during 2023.