Mercedes-Benz EQE 2023 review: Sedan

Interesting is one way to describe Mercedes’ latest design language that has shaped its EQ range (as has the wind tunnel).

These new EVs are a major departure from the brand’s more angular past, replacing the sharp, crisp lines with more aerodynamic, flowing curves.

The so-called ‘one bow line’ roofline certainly makes for a dramatic look, but it also compromises getting in and out of the back seat without hitting your head if you’re an adult.

The EQE range features aerodynamic, flowing curves.

It also means the doors look very tall, or to be more accurate, the doors are very tall - taking up a large percentage of the side profile.

While at the front the closed off ‘grille’ with its large three-pointed star surrounded by lots of small ones, is an unsubtle reminder of what you’re driving.

The AMG exterior pack offered on the 300/350 does help give it a slightly more muscular appearance, as does the small boot lid spoiler. While the 53 naturally gets the full AMG treatment, with the trademark AMG grille with vertical ‘bars’ and a larger rear spoiler.

The EQE's front end features a closed off ‘grille’.

Ultimately, this design concept helps the EQE slip through the air, with Mercedes claiming it has a drag coefficient of just 0.22, making it one of the most aerodynamic road cars in the world.

But whether you think it’s function over form or a perfect blend of both will depend greatly on your own perspective, because it’s a polarising car based on our anecdotal evidence.

That sweeping design carries over to the interior, with the huge dashboard that wraps around the front seat occupants. It does a nice job of blending Mercedes’ trademark classical luxury elements with some nods to modern convenience and technology.

The EQE's sweeping design carries over to the interior.

For example, there are premium materials and finishes throughout the cabin that lend an air of quality, while the tablet-style screens for the instrument display and the multimedia system (not to mention the optional hyperscreen that’s genuinely spectacular) are utterly contemporary.

One design element that is less-impressive is the digital dashboard and its multiple displays. The main display features two virtual dials - one for speed and one for the percentage of power used - like a conventional car which has a speedo and tacho.

However, as electric cars deliver their power very differently from an internal combustion engine, this reviewer found the near constant flickering from the ‘Power’ dial distracting.

Unfortunately, even the minimalist display is too complex and lacks a large digital speed read-out - which is all you really need in an EV.

One design element that is less-impressive is the digital dashboard and its multiple displays.

Each model in the range comes loaded with a comprehensive suite of both passive and active safety features.

This includes 10 airbags, a 360-degree view parking camera, Active Parking Assist and Traffic Sign Assist.

Euro NCAP gave the EQE a maximum five-star rating when it tested it in 2022.

As well as that there are all the semi-autonomous functions to keep you safe including, 'Active Distance Assist Distronic', 'Active Brake Assist' with cross-traffic function, 'Active Lane Change Assist', 'Active Blind Spot Assist', 'Active Lane Keeping Assist', 'Evasive Steering Assist' and 'Route Based Speed Adaptation'.

One of the more interesting features is what Mercedes calls, 'Pre-Safe Plus' and 'Pre-Safe Impulse Side' systems, which can detect an imminent side impact and activate a chamber in the seats to push the occupant closer to the centre of the car to try and mitigate injury.

The EQE has a maximum five-star safety rating from ANCAP, based on its 2022 protocol.

Each EQE model features a 360-degree view parking camera.

The driving experience in the EQE Sedan is an interesting one, with each of the three models offering something unique but also having an obvious connection.

Perhaps the most overwhelming feeling from the drive is just how unspectacular it feels, not in a negative way, but with Mercedes-Benz clearly focused on making a car that will feel familiar to its loyal owners - rather than chasing the quirkiness and ‘wow factor’ traits that seem to dominate so many modern EVs.

The EQE300 may have the least power but felt suitably brisk on our drive through the sweeping roads in the hills east of Melbourne.

The EQE300 is powered by a single, rear-mounted motor that makes 180kW/550Nm.

While not a performance car by any stretch, it has the kind of effortless performance you expect from a large luxury sedan.

The dual-motor powertrain in the EQE350 offers up noticeably more punch and the all-wheel drive layout was beneficial in the wet and slippery conditions we drove in. 

Where both models struggle slightly is ride comfort on the standard steel spring suspension. It was fussy at times on the rural roads, unable to quickly settle the sizeable weight of the EQE over large bumps.

The dual-motor powertrain in the EQE350 offers up noticeably more punch than the EQE300.

This is an increasingly familiar trait for Mercedes models and is possibly a by-product of them being tuned for Europe’s smoother roads and struggling on Australia’s more patchwork tarmac.

However, this problem can be largely solved by opting for the optional Airmatic air suspension, which is available on both the 300 and 350. 

It’s no problem for the AMG EQE 53, because it gets the 'AMG Ride Control' version of the air suspension, and so it feels more enjoyable to drive in any condition because of it.

The EQE 53 gets a potent dual-motor powertrain that makes 460kW/950Nm.

Despite its size and weight the suspension does an impressive job of controlling the EQE 53 and making it feel responsive and direct.

While we didn’t get the opportunity to back-to-back them, it feels very similar to how an E53 would handle the same conditions, albeit with the benefit of the instant torque from the electric motors.

And what performance they bring, launching the EQE 53 out of corners with ferocity. Which is the car’s strength because its top speed is ‘only’ 220km/h, so it’s less of an autobahn-stormer and more of a back-roads-blaster (although that top speed can be bumped to 240km/h with 'AMG Dynamic Plus').

The instant torque from the electric motors launches the EQE 53 out of corners with ferocity.

Obviously, that’s less of an issue for Australia with our much lower speed limits, but given AMG drivers enjoy taking their cars to a track day it’s possible the EQE 53 will get caught on the straights by its petrol-powered AMG siblings.

Still, the bigger issue from an AMG perspective is the sound - or lack thereof.

While Mercedes has developed an artificial soundtrack you can turn on and off, it doesn’t sound anything like the raucous four-cylinder turbos and throaty V8s the brand is famous for.

The EQE 53's top speed can be bumped up to 240km/h with 'AMG Dynamic Plus.'

It’s an obvious problem that affects not only AMG as more and more performance cars go electric, but it’s another reminder of what we’ll miss.

Another area Mercedes needs to fine-tune the EQE 53 is the braking. Specifically when it switches from regeneration to the friction brakes, because on several occasions we could feel it through the pedal - and, in fact, the whole car - as it would jolt to a stop.

It’s a far-cry from the seamless integration on the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT, so Mercedes will need to get to work to catch up; but it’s hardly a deal-breaker.