Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV 2024 review

Mercedes-Benz will offer the EQE as a range with four distinct models, each distinguished by its driveline and, therefore, its range and performance envelope.

As such, there’s a fairly large chunk of financial ground covered within the range, with the entry-level EQE300 costing $134,900, plus on-road costs.

The EQE350 adds a neat $10,000 to that to surface at $144,900 and the launch-only EQE500 costs $164,900 while you can order one.

The entry-level EQE300 wears a price tag of $134,900, plus on-road costs.

The flagship AMG EQE53 will empty your wallet to the tune of $189,900.

All variants are well specified, of course, and that starts with embedded navigation with an augmented reality overlay, a panoramic sunroof, head-up display and, in Australia, AMG-line interior fittings.

The EQE350 adds to that with the second electric motor, all-wheel drive platform, and a camera view that shows the terrain directly in front of and below the car.

The EQE range has four distinct models; the EQE300, EQE350, EQE500 and the AMG EQE53. (EQE300 variant shown)

The EQE500 brings a slightly larger battery pack for improved performance, while otherwise sticking with the 350’s equipment list and specification.

The big hitter, the AMG 53 model, gains adaptive suspension, AMG-tuned suspension settings, Nappa leather steering wheel, cooled front seats, AMG exterior package, tow-away protection, the 'AMG Dynamic Plus' package which incorporates the 'Race Start' function, a higher top speed and an AMG sound experience which is played through the car’s stereo, and AMG-specific dashboard graphics.

The 300 model misses out on the full-width animated dashboard.

The soundscape also includes Burmester’s Dolby Atmos arrangement which aims to fill any sonic gaps in the cabin for a truly immersive experience.

Every EQE SUV variant also gets Benz’s 'Drive Assist Plus' package, leather trim, heated front seats, and a head-up display.

The only thing missing from the 300 model we’re testing (which isn’t available as an option) is the full-width animated dashboard that merges three screens into one even bigger one.

It looks like there’s a lot going on in the EQE’s interior, mainly because there is. But there’s also a lot of different surfaces and textures, even if they’re dominated by the huge, square info-screen.

The dashboard is fully animated and customisable, but you tend to rely on the head-up display anyway, once you become used to it.

The menu-driven function selection is an inevitability with so much standard equipment, but we’d still prefer a volume control knob rather than a touch-slide volume adjustment, even if there’s one on the centre-stack and another on the steering wheel.

The dash is dominated by the huge, square info-screen. (EQE300 variant shown)

Electric height and reach adjustability is included for the steering column. There’s a pair of USB charge points in the centre console and the full-width air-vents in the front are a great idea.

In the rear seat, there’s another pair of hidden USB points down low in the centre, as well as a pair of air vents in the middle, too.

Air vents in the B-pillar for rear seaters would have been a nice inclusion, but as it is, the rear pew is a nice place to be with – like the front seats – plenty of comfort and a seating position that places you upright, but comfy and high enough to make the most of the car’s height advantage over some other traffic.

There’s a pair of USB charge points in the centre console. (EQE300 variant shown)

Foot room in the rear is very generous and headroom is not going to be a problem even for taller teenagers.

The luggage area features a loading height that makes sense for adults, and incorporates a hidden area accessed by a hatch in the floor that houses the charging cables and first aid kit. With the rear seat in place, there’s 520 litres of luggage space and more than triple that (1675 litres) with the seat folded flat.

The column-shifted control for Drive, Reverse and Park looks like a great idea since its saves valuable space on the centre console. Some will argue, however, that the control’s resemblance to an indicator stalk will confuse some drivers.

Mechanically, things kick off with the EQE300 (the model tested here) which uses a single electric motor driving the rear wheels.

The single motor provides a relatively modest 180kW, but the secret to the EQE’s performance is the torque which is a very handy 550Nm.

There’s no transmission per se, just a single speed unit to split the torque to each rear wheel. Benz quotes a 0-100km/h time of 7.3 seconds for this model. It’s a believable claim.

The EQE300 uses a single electric motor driving the rear wheels.

The next step up the ladder is the EQE350 4Matic which, as the badge suggests, taps into Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel drive platform.

There are twin electric motors producing 215kW and a giant 765Nm of torque, allegedly propelling the 350 from rest to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds.

Next up is the EQE500 4Matic. Again, using twin electric motors but with a larger battery-pack, the 500 model makes 300kW and an even more meaningful 858Nm.

Benz quotes a 0-100km/h time of 7.3 seconds for the EQE300.

Benz claims 4.7 seconds for the 0-100km/h dash. A launch model, the EQE500 will only be available in the short term.

Top of the EQE tree is the Mercedes-AMG EQE53. With twin motors and all-wheel-drive, the 460kW and mind-boggling 950Nm are enough to push the 53 to 100km/h in a claimed 3.7 seconds if you use the 'Race Start' function.

As the sportiest EQE variant, the 53 also gets standard rear-wheel steering (optional on other variants, and able to reduce the turning circle from 12.3 to 10.5m) and while lesser EQEs use conventional steel springs and a multi-link rear suspension, the AMG variant gets air suspension with adjustable ride height that can raise the vehicle up to 30mm.

The Mercedes-AMG EQE53 can reach 100km/h in a claimed 3.7 seconds.

The AMG 53 model is also fitted with AMG’s 'Dynamic Plus' package which, as well as Race Start, endows the 53 with a higher top speed (240km/h limited).

AC recharging can be done from a domestic, 10-amp power point, a Mercedes wall-box running on three-phase power, or there’s the option of DC charging at a commercial fast-charging station.

Charging time for the EQE will vary on how you charge it and what size battery-pack is fitted. Although with an 89kWh pack in the EQE300 and EQE350, and a 90.5kWh battery in the EQE500 and AMG EQE53, the difference won’t be a huge one.

Interestingly, the 10-cell lithium-ion battery is not a buy-in; it’s all Mercedes-Benz’s own work.

Using the Benz-branded wall-box, the 89kWh EQE will charge from 10 to 80 per cent in about 6.5 hours. But if you have access to a fast-charger that time can be reduced to as little as 32 minutes as the Benz will accept up to 170kW of charge.

Charging time for the EQE varies on the charging method and battery size.

The same process will take about 1.5 hours on a 50kW charging station.

Mercedes claims a driving range of 539km (NEDC) for the basic battery. The official power consumption for the EQE300 is 18.9kWh/100km.

Efficiency is helped by the use of a heat pump system which captures heat from batteries and driveline and uses that to heat the cabin when required.

As well as safety equipment such as autonomous emergency braking, brake assist and tyre pressure monitoring, the EQE300 is also fitted with adaptive cruise-control, active lane keeping assistance and a 360-degree camera.

It also makes use of Mercedes’ 'Pre Safe' package which detects when a crash has become unavoidable and prepares for the shunt. That preparation includes closing the sunroof and pre-tensioning the seat belts.

The EQE SUV has been awarded five stars for safety in Euro NCAP testing.

The EQE SUV range features Mercedes’ 'Pre Safe' package.