Mercedes-Benz EQE 2024 review: 300 SUV

There are four variants for the EQE SUV and our test vehicle is the ‘entry-grade’ model but don’t let its starting position fool you, as it still has a robust price tag of $134,900, before on-road costs.

That's a whole lot cheaper than the Audi Q8 e-tron ($153,900 MSRP) and a smidge more affordable than the BMW iX xDrive40 ($135,900 MSRP). But the top-spec Kia EV9 GT-Line slays them all on price at just $121K. 

The standard features are extensive enough that you won’t feel too hard done by with most of the creature comforts being sorted.

There is a panoramic sunroof, AMG-line carpet mats, Burmester sound system and leather trims.

This is a pretty cool feature because you don’t need to actively use the battery (via climate control) to heat the interior, which in turn extends the driving range. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

The back seat misses out on the luxury items, which is a shame, but front occupants enjoy electric, heated seats that have extendable under-thigh support, three-way memory function and four-way adjustable lumbar support.

They both feature a 'Kinetic' function, which is a gentle stretching massage but let's just say the feeling is subtle.

For practicality, there is a hands-free powered tailgate, pre-entry climate control and a heat pump which utilises the waste heat from the electric battery while driving to warm the interior when needed.

This is a pretty cool feature because you don’t need to actively use the battery (via climate control) to heat the interior, which in turn extends the driving range.

Features a 12.8-inch touchscreen multimedia system. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

We’ll touch on the main tech later but the exterior hosts a full suite of LED lights, including 'Matrix Digital' headlights. The cool light show is carried inside with the 64-way colour ambient lighting, which is linked to some of the safety systems.

The built-in satellite navigation has an augmented reality feature, which means dynamic instructions are overlaid onto a video feed and the 12.8-inch touchscreen multimedia system has haptic feedback.

For where the 300 sits in the line-up, it is very well specified.

In terms of practicality – the EQE SUV rules for its internal space. Both rows have plenty of room and even in the large SUV class that’s not a claim every car can make.

Storage throughout the car is also top-notch with an extra deep middle console that has a dual-opening lid and a large centre console with removable retractable cupholders.

There is a massive open shelf underneath the centre console that could easily fit a decently-sized handbag but also features a handy elastic strap to keep things secure.

The back seat gets two map pockets, two retractable cupholders and a thin device holder but even without a phone cover on, it’s too tight to be truly useful.

The boot is a great size at 520L with all seats in use. You get a handy under-floor compartment for cable storage but otherwise the load space is level.

I like the handsfree powered tailgate and the way the back row splits (40/20/40) as it opens up your storage options.

There is no spare or repair kit because this model has run-flat tyres.

The boot is a great size at 520L with all seats in use. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

Seat comfort is stellar in both rows thanks to great cushioning and extendable under-thigh supports on the front seats. It helps make longer journeys enjoyable.

You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to charging options with the front row alone having six USB-C ports plus a wireless charging pad to choose from.

However, it’s annoying to use the charging pad if you’re also using the cupholders. Rear passengers get a couple of USB-C ports, too.

The technology is fancy-looking but easy to use, which is always a good combo. The multimedia screen is responsive, has wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto plus a very cool augmented reality satellite navigation system.

That just means that there are dynamic directions overlaid on a video feed. This is very helpful when you’re navigating a CBD with all of those little laneways.

You can customise your digital dashboard and some options link into the ambient lighting system, which is a fun and easy way to change up the interior’s looks.  

The large coloured head-up display is easy to read and pulls through the traffic sign recognition and navigation directions.

The large coloured head-up display is easy to read and pulls through the traffic sign recognition and navigation directions. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

You can choose from three different soundscapes for the car, which add more of a dynamic driving experience when you turn the car on/off or accelerate. All soundscapes are nice but you might find it a bit gimmicky over time.

My all-time favourite feature of the EQE SUV is the pre-climate function.

Set your preferred temperature options and the climate system will start pumping out the air when you unlock the car.

It takes a few beats to turn on but it’s super handy to cool the car down prior to buckling in, especially with kids or pets in tow.

The EQE 300 is a rear-wheel drive with one electric motor which sits at the rear. Outputs are 180kW or power and 550Nm of torque. It has plenty of gumption but think of it like a spritely gentleman when it comes to acceleration as its 0-100km/h sprint time is 7.6 seconds.

The EQE 300 has a lithium-ion battery with a large 89kWh capacity and an official energy consumption of 18.9kWh. My average has hovered around this figure all week, despite doing a lot of open-road driving.

The charging port is a Type 2 CCS and it will accept up to 11kW for AC charging and 170kW for DC charging.

It will take around 14.5 hours on AC charge to get from 0-100 per cent and 32-minutes on DC Charge to get from 10-80 per cent.

You probably won’t get any range anxiety because of the healthy 539km driving range.

The EQE comes stuffed with safety features. The ambient lighting is linked with some of the systems, like the forward collision warning and blind-spot monitoring.

The lights across the dashboard and front doors flash red if you’re approaching the car in front of you too closely or when you indicate but there is an object in your blind spot. This is a practical application of what would ordinarily be just a ‘pretty design’ feature.

Other standard safety equipment includes LED daytime running lights, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping aids, lane departure warning, intelligent seat belt reminders, front and rear parking sensors, 360-degree view reversing camera, traffic sign recognition, driver fatigue monitor, and adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality. As well as rear collision emergency stop and stolen vehicle tracking.

The EQE SUV has yet to be assessed by ANCAP but it does have 10 airbags, including a front centre airbag and side-chest airbags for both rows. Usually you only see those on the front, so that’s pretty good for a family car.

There are two ISOFIX child seat mounts on the rear outboard seats and three top tethers but two child seats will fit best.

There’s plenty of room for front passengers when you install a 0-4 rearward facing child seat and the wider door apertures makes it easy to slide a child seat into this row.