Vehicles today are coming out with all sorts of technology that bring convenience and safety for the driver and passengers and even introduce self-driving features. Mercedes-Benz, for one, is producing a model that takes autonomous driving to a different level. According to MotorTrend, the 2022 model of the Mercedes-Benz EQS will sport a self-driving system that we haven’t quite seen yet in the market. 

What does Level 2 semi-autonomous driving mean for the Mercedes-Benz EQS?

There are six different levels of autonomous driving. Level 0 offers no special features at all, and Level 1 offers items that assist you with steering and accelerating, just not at the same time. Level 2 is where a good portion of vehicles are today with driving assistance technology. 

At this level, you have many advanced driving assistance features that help you drive the car. They can help speed up and slow down the car without your input or make steering wheel adjustments to keep you in the right lane. However, you have to keep watch on the road and monitor any potential hazards that might require you to take back control of the accelerator, brake, and steering wheel. 

Tesla is a good example of a Level 2 autonomous vehicle. Its autopilot feature allows the car to drive itself to a point. Still, you are there to take over at a moment’s notice if need be. General Motors also utilizes this level in some of its vehicles. However, the Mercedes-Benz EQS will offer autonomous driving on a higher level.

What makes Level 3 different?

Level 3 is the next step up in the autonomous driving game. No vehicle, up to this point, falls into this category. However, Mercedes-Benz and a few other brands claim they have models with Level 3 technology coming out soon. That brings us to the Mercedes-Benz EQS model. 

Level 3 basically means that the car can take complete control of the vehicle and drive it to your destination. The vehicle can recognize road signs, prevent collisions, keep you in the right lane, keep a safe distance from vehicles all around you, and even parallel park for you in some cases. 

While this level could allow you to take your attention away and do other things, it still requires you to be ready to take back control if something happens. According to Jalopnik, the vehicle will alert you ahead of time, and you need to take over pretty quickly. If not, it will start to slow down and come to a complete halt safely. 

Level 4 is almost the same as Level 3, but you don’t need to pay as much attention to the road. We haven’t seen Level 5 yet when the car completely drives itself, and you sit in it as if you were being taxied about. 

What else can you expect from the Mercedes-Benz EQS?

You can’t talk about the Mercedes-Benz EQS without mentioning the awesome mega display screens. You get a driver’s information screen, an infotainment system, and the front passenger also gets a screen to utilize. 

The 450 model will produce approximately 329 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque from its front and rear-mounted e-motors. With the 580 version, drivers can expect 516 hp with 611 lb-ft of torque, which makes it capable of getting an acceleration time of 4.3 seconds for a 0 to 60 mph run. 

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS also comes with a 108 kWh battery in the U.S. but could get a 90 kWh option later on. The driving range isn’t yet known, but the EQS is rated for 478 miles elsewhere in the world, which is very impressive. However, due to EPA regulations in the U.S., it’s not likely we’ll see that number. MotorTrend feels it will probably be closer to 380 miles or so. 

The Mercedes-Benz EQS will be coming out soon and will probably command a price of over $100,000. However, despite that steep price, it might be worth trying if it truly has Level 3 autonomous driving technology.