Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV First Drive: This Well Rounded All-Electric Car is Packed With Tech
Myriam Joire
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No compromises: The all-electric EQE SUV is all Mercedes.
From the sleek lines to the iconic star logo on the grille, the EQE SUV is unmistakably Mercedes-Benz. It boasts a distinctive look that sets it apart from other cars on the road. Still, Mercedes-Benz’ exterior design (they refer to it as “one-bow” because it looks like a taut bow) may not be everyone’s cup of tea. While the EQS and EQE electric sedans look a bit awkward, the egg-like design suits the EQS and EQE electric SUVs a lot more. And I’m confident saying that the EQE SUV is definitely the most attractive of the bunch.
And after experiencing it on the road, the EQE SUV might be my favorite to drive, too.
Related: The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Is My Highly Personalized, 3-Row Bubble
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV view at the rear corner. Photo: Myriam Joire
Who is the EQE SUV For?
- Electric car enthusiasts who want a luxury SUV.
- Luxury car buyers who are looking for an electric SUV.
- Families who need a spacious vehicle with plenty of passenger and cargo room.
- Tech-savvy drivers who want a car with all the latest features and a user-friendly multimedia system.
- Drivers who are looking for an environmentally friendly car with a decent range and a powerful electric drivetrain.
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV digital cluster and standard multimedia system. Photo: Myriam Joire
What You Need to Know:
- The EQE SUV is an all-electric SUV with zero-emissions.
- It’s available in three models with different features and prices.
- It offers a range of up to 279 miles, making it suitable for long-distance trips.
- It’s packed with tech, including a touchscreen multimedia system with multiple displays, and a Burmester 3D sound system with Dolby Atmos.
- It comes with Mercedes’ suite of driver-assistance features, such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV grille. Photo: Myriam Joire
An All-Electric Luxury SUV
The Mercedes EQE SUV is the latest in a long line of luxury vehicles from the German automaker. It’s a sleek all-electric SUV that marries a comfortable ride with plenty of features. Three EQE SUV models are available, with an EPA range of up to 279 miles.
Keep in mind though, that Mercedes tends to be rather conservative with the indicated range on its electric cars. As a result, the real-life range often ends up being higher than the EPA range, which is a nice bonus. The EQE SUV is also packed with tech, including a touchscreen multimedia system with multiple displays, and a Burmester 3D sound system with Dolby Atmos. It also comes standard with Mercedes’ suite of driver assistance and safety features.
Related: Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Power, Elegance or Family-Friendly. Which One Is Right For You?
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV front corner angle. Photo: Myriam Joire
Things are a Lot More Exciting Inside the EQE SUV
Here, the EQE SUV exudes luxury, with premium materials, superb build quality, and best-in-class amenities – from available quilted, heated, cooled, and massaging front seats to 4-zone climate control with aromatherapy. The interior design is Mercedes at its best – opulent and sophisticated, yet spacious and welcoming.
Related: The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ Electric Car: My Happy Place Just Got Happier
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV with quilted seating and hyper screen. Photo: Myriam Joire
The Electric Driving Experience
Driving an electric car is a different experience than driving a traditional gas-powered car. Like other electric cars, the EQE SUV offers a smooth, quiet ride and delivers plenty of instant torque, making acceleration quick and effortless. Regenerative braking captures energy from braking and sends it back to the battery, extending the car’s range.
But the EQE SUV’s party trick is the optional rear-wheel steering, which reduces the turning circle of this SUV to that of a small car, and improves agility at higher speeds. It doesn’t seem like a big deal until you experience it, but it makes a huge difference. And of course, the optional air suspension makes the EQE SUV supremely comfortable no matter the road conditions.
Related: 8 Reasons an Electric Car Can Fit Your Lifestyle
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV rear seat. Photo: Myriam Joire
Regardless Which EQE SUV you Pick, There’s Plenty of Power on Tap
Even though the EQE 500 4Matic delivers the most performance, the EQE 350+ actually offers the best dynamics, since it’s lighter and RWD. Regardless of which model you drive, Mercedes doesn’t sacrifice comfort. The EQE SUV also does a decent job blending regenerative and hydraulic braking, and even lets you select the amount of regenerative braking via steering wheel paddles.
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV digital cluster and standard multimedia system. Photo: Myriam Joire
Techies will be Impressed with Driver and Safety Systems
In all, the EQE SUV is quite enjoyable to drive, and ideal for long-distance travel. Mercedes’ Level 2 advanced driver assistance system further adds to this experience. It’s comprised of regular cruise control, adaptive cruise control (which maintains a distance between you and the car in front of you), lane keep assist, and more. This system keeps the car in the lane, and operating at a safe distance and speed. It’s on par with Tesla’s Autopilot, and works better than most competing systems. Obviously, the EQE also boasts a broad range of driver assistance and safety features. But it’s the rest of the tech that really sets this electric car apart.
How Long Does it Take to Charge?
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV can be charged with a Level 1/Level 2 charger or a DC fast charger. It takes about 10 hours to fully charge the EQE SUV with a Level 2 charger, longer with Level 1. Using a DC fast charger, the EQE SUV can be charged from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes.
Like other electric car manufacturers, Mercedes is partnering with multiple charging networks for its “me Charge” network, including Electrify America and ChargePoint in the US. In addition, the company is also rolling out its own charging network.
Related: Charging an Electric Car is as Easy as 1, 2, 3
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV center stack and console. Photo: Myriam Joire
A Sophisticated Mercedes Multimedia System
For starters, the EQE SUV comes with all the tech you’d expect to find in a modern electric car. This includes self-parking, a 360-degree view, LTE connectivity, WiFi hotspot support, over-the-air software updates, phone-as-a-key functionality, phone remote control via the “me Connect” app, wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Qi wireless phone charging, internet audio streaming, and the “Hey Mercedes” voice assistant.
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV front row and screens. Photo: Myriam Joire
The EQE SUV’s Multimedia System is State-of-the-Art
By default, the car features a 12.8-inch center touchscreen with haptic feedback, making it easy to navigate through menus and settings. The EQE SUV also includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that displays key information like battery level and range.
The optional Hyperscreen (standard on the EQE 500 4Matic) covers almost the entire dashboard and incorporates three separate displays behind a massive curved glass panel – a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, and 17.7-inch central touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch passenger-side touchscreen. It looks incredibly futuristic, provides haptic feedback when touched, and basically operates as two multimedia systems in one.
The EQE SUV also offers a large color heads-up-display and augmented reality (meaning it actually draws navigation directions right over the outside world in front of you) as an option. It’s surprisingly accurate and extremely helpful. Other standout tech features include V2X (vehicle to everything) – which displays traffic light information – an integrated toll payment system, and remote parking using the phone app.
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV tail lights. Photo: Priam Joire
Of Course, no Multimedia System is Complete Without Quality Audio
And Mercedes’ standard Burmester 3D sound system with Dolby Atmos is simply fantastic. It’s also used to deliver a synthetic auditory soundtrack to replace the missing engine sounds. Adding to the sensory experience is customizable and interactive interior ambient lighting with 64 colors. Outside, the EQE SUV boasts adaptive matrix headlight and 3D helix tail lights.
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV driver’s side door controls. Photo: Myriam Joire
All the Mercedes Goodies in One Car
The EQE SUV models range from 288 hp / 417 lb-ft (0-60 mph in 6.3s) for the EQE 350+ to 402 hp / 633 lb-ft (0-60mph in just 4.6s) for the EQE 500 4Matic, with an EPA range between 253 and 279 miles. While the EQE 350+ is single motor RWD, the EQE 350 4Matic and EQE 500 4Matic are dual motor AWD. The EQE SUV uses a single 90.6kWh battery for all three models, and supports plug-and-charge DC fast charging up to 170kW.
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV rear climate controls. Photo: Myriam Joire
By default, the EQE SUV comes with a long list of features, including:
- Power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Panoramic sunroof
- Qi wireless charging pad
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.8-inch touchscreen multimedia system
- Burmester 3D sound system with Dolby Atmos
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane-keeping assist
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Parking assist
- Driver drowsiness monitoring
- Traffic sign recognition
- Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection
- 360-degree view
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV start button and haptic controls. Photo: Myriam Joire
The EQE SUV also offers a number of optional features, such as:
- Air suspension
- Rear wheel steering
- Hyperscreen
- 4-zone automatic climate control
- Massaging seats
- Heated steering wheel and heated rear seats
- Heads-up display
- Augmented reality navigation
- Active lane change assist
- Active steering assist
- Remote parking assist
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV rear seat. Photo: Myriam Joire
No Compromise in Passenger Comfort and Space
The EQE SUV interior is spacious and comfortable, and provides ample headroom and legroom for both the front and rear passengers. It features supportive and well-bolstered seats made of high-quality materials. The car’s panoramic sunroof provides an open and airy feel to the cabin, making it a great car for road trips and long drives. Four USB Type-C connectors are located in the center console.
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV rear seat. Photo: Myriam Joire
When it Comes to Storage, the EQE SUV has a Generous Amount of Space for Your Stuff
The car’s rear seats can be folded down 40-20-40 to accommodate larger items, and the cargo area measures 14.0 cu-ft behind the rear seats, and 59 cu-ft with the rear seats folded down. There are also storage cubbies throughout the car – including the glove box, center console, and door panels – that offer plenty of space for personal items.
Mercedes-Benz EQE empty cargo area. Photo: Myriam Joire
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV’s cargo space with gear. Photo: Myriam Joire
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV open storage. Photo: Myriam Joire
Triumph! The EQE SUV has a Place for Your Purse
An open area under the center console makes it easy to store a handbag, and both the front and rear passengers get a pair of cupholders. The cubbies in the door panels are designed to hold a bottle, and the trunk features extra space in the subfloor and behind a small net on the left. Unfortunately, the EQE SUV doesn’t have a front trunk.
Related: Frunk or Treat is an Electric Spin on Trunk or Treat. And it’s Frightfully Fun!
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV rear armrest with stowable cup holders. Photo: Myriam Joire
What Does The EQE SUV Cost?
The Mercedes EQE SUV is available in three trims:
- EQE 350+ SUV: $77,900 (279 miles)
- EQE 350 4Matic SUV: $77,900 (253 miles)
- EQE 500 4Matic SUV: $89,500 (269 miles)
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV and Myriam Joire. Photo provided my Myriam Joire
This SUV is Extremely Well Rounded
Overall, I came away impressed with what the EQE SUV has to offer. It’s an extremely well rounded electric car that delivers effortless comfort, a luxurious interior, impressive tech, superb craftsmanship, plenty of space, and – thanks to a decent range and solid performance – a delightful experience for driver and passengers alike. In other words, the EQE SUV hits the sweet spot in Mercedes’ electric car lineup.
Disclosure: I was a guest of Mercedes-Benz to drive the EQE SUV. All travel and accommodations were paid for, all impressions are my own.
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV center console storage. Photo: Myriam Joire