The most important EQ yet? 2024 Mercedes EQE SUV Australian pricing confirmed to target BMW iX, Audi Q8 e-Tron

Pricing has been locked in for what Mercedes-Benz Australia has called the “gamechanger” for its electric car strategy, the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.

Arriving in four variants and with pricing starting from $134,900 before on-road costs, the line-up is set to target the BMW iX and Audi Q8 e-Tron electric SUVs.

Speaking with CarsGuide at the launch of the EQB medium SUV in mid-to-late 2022, Mercedes-Benz Australia Head of Media Relations Jerry Stamoulis said the EQE SUV would be a turning point for the brand and its approach to EVs.

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“We are expecting big things from the EQE SUV when it arrives in the middle of 2023,” Stamoulis said. “It will sit between the EQC and the new EQS, and appeal to a wide range of buyers. And it will be the gamechanger.”

Kicking off the range is the base EQE300 SUV, which wears the entry $134,900 pricing, and like the rest of the range comes with a 4Matic all-wheel-drive setup thanks to a motor at the front and the rear - here good for 180kW and 550Nm.

An 89kWh battery pack should provide a very useable range, though Mercedes is yet to confirm specifics for each variant, claiming a max range of 539km for the model overall.

The AMG EQE53 SUV sits on top of the line up and wears a price tag of 9,900, before on-road costs.

It rolls on 21-inch AMG wheels, set at either end of its 3030mm wheelbase (shorter than the EQE sedan), with tinted windows and a ‘galaxy-style’ grille with the brand’s star pattern.

Inside, the EQE300 is the only variant that doesn’t get the MBUX Hyperscreen multimedia interface, though smartphone integration and wireless charging, a head-up display, a panoramic sliding sunroof, heated front seats and a Burmester surround sound system are all standard.

Stepping up to the EQE350 SUV costs $144,900, or an extra $10K, and nets more power and torque (215kW and 765Nm) along with a claimed sprint to 100km/h of 6.3 seconds and the addition of the brand’s ‘Transparent Bonnet’ camera system which provides a “precise view of the environment directly beneath and in front of the vehicle, which is typically obscured by the bonnet”.

The AMG EQE53 reaches speeds of 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds.

Additionally, and for an unspecified limited time, an EQE500 SUV variant will be available with effectively the same specifications as the EQE350 SUV save for its larger battery pack of 90.5kWh and more power and torque - 300kW and 858Nm. 

To get its claimed 0-100km/h sprint of 4.7 seconds, buyers will need to fork out $164,900, or about the price of an Audi Q8 e-Tron S.

But set to be available as a regular model sitting atop the range is the AMG EQE53 SUV, which boasts 460kW and 950Nm and a starting price of $189,900. It’s almost $30,000 less than a BMW iX M60 and offers similar power and not too much less torque (the BMW has 455kW/1100Nm).

The EQE300 is the only variant that doesn’t get the MBUX Hyperscreen multimedia interface. (AMG EQE53 variant pictured)

The AMG offers specifically tuned all-wheel drive and Active Ride Control suspension with Airmatic adjustable damping, where the driver can raise the vehicle by 30 millimetres to aid ground clearance.

Inside, heated and cooled front seats with Nappa leather upholstery - including the steering wheel - are part of the AMG-specific trim, while outside it’s recognisable by its 22-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels and red-painted brake calipers.

A $7400 AMG Dynamic Plus pack increases top speed to 240km/h while also adding the ability to temporarily increase outputs to lower its 0-100km/h sprint from 3.7 seconds to 3.5sec.

Mercedes is yet to confirm specifics of battery sizes for each variant.

2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV pricing before on-road costs