Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV Review 2024

Mercedes has continued its all-in approach on electric cars by rapidly expanding its line-up across almost all ranges where it already has a combustion-engined variant. This all-encompassing strategy has the potential to confuse customers and dilute quality if not done well — discover how successful it is in this instance with our full Mercedes EQE SUV review.

Designed to compete with rivals such as the Audi Q8 e-tron, the excellent BMW iX and the Volvo EX90, the Mercedes EQE SUV occupies the higher end of the electric car market, with the cheapest model starting at £75,495, extending to £124,495 for the top-of-the-range version.

Mercedes’ range can seem bewildering, so allow us to unravel the complexities of what’s what. Size-wize, the EQE SUV sits below the more luxurious Mercedes EQS SUV and above the now discontinued Mercedes EQC, which was also an SUV, but didn’t reference it in its name.

It also shares most of its fundamental components with the Mercedes EQE, which is a sleek, coupe-like saloon, and is an alternative to the petrol-, diesel- and PHEV-powered Mercedes GLE SUV. You’re welcome.

The Mercedes EQE SUV benefits from being built on a bespoke EV platform rather than using an existing, conventionally engined vehicle, which brings benefits in terms of design and packaging, an important feature for buyers who are looking for SUV practicality.

Another factor that clearly distinguishes the EQE SUV from most other Mercedes SUVs is the exterior styling. With the aim of maximising range, the bodywork has been carefully honed to reduce aerodynamic drag, with the result that it has softer curves and — to our eyes — less presence that you might expect from a Mercedes, which may not suit all tastes.

The Mercedes EQE SUV is available with four power options. The base EQE 350+ model has a 96kWh battery, with its 292PS power output to the rear wheels. With four-wheel drive, the EQE 350 4Matic has the same power figure, but its battery’s a shade smaller at 91kWh.

Next up, EQE 500 4Matic has the larger 96kWh battery and total output of 402PS, while the top of the range AMG EQE 53 uses the smaller 91kWh battery but with its output raised to a significant 617PS.

With a minimum kerb weight of 2,690kg, the official electric range of the EQE SUV is 260 miles for the AMG Night Edition Premium Plus up to 376 miles for the EQE 350+ AMG Line version. These are close to those offered by the Audi Q8 e-tron, but are around 10% less than what’s managed by the BMW iX.

Inside, the Mercedes EQE SUV offers plenty of space for occupants both front and rear, as well as an eye-catching design with a sweeping dashboard and the option of the Hyperscreen layout which dominates the cabin.

On the road the Mercedes EQE SUV delivers fine performance, particularly if you choose the more powerful versions, and the level of refinement and comfort on offer is impressive. 

However, at lower speeds the ride quality can suffer somewhat and should you choose to exploit the available performance, you become aware of just how much weight the suspension has to deal with, even if the four-wheel steering helps agility both at high and low speeds.

Given the price tag it’s easy to think that the Mercedes EQE SUV somewhat underdelivers, but in truth it offers strong EV performance, an impressive cabin and a high level of practicality. For those who can afford it, it is likely to be a satisfying ownership prospect.

Buyers looking for a vehicle in this segment may well make a choice based on seeking out the highest levels of comfort and for the most part the Mercedes EQE SUV delivers in this respect.

A key element of this impressive performance is the air suspension system with adaptive damping which is fitted to all models. In almost all situations this delivers a smooth and controlled ride, filtering out poor road surfaces and providing a high degree of isolation for driver and passengers.

Occasionally it can be caught out by sharp bumps, but aside from this it can provide serene progress which makes it an ideal machine for long journeys and family duties.

Another technical feature available on the Mercedes EQE SUV is four-wheel steering, fitted to AMG Line Premium Plus models and above as well as all AMG versions. It automatically applies rear-wheel steering in the opposite direction to the front wheels at low speeds for manoeuvrability and in the same direction at higher speeds for stability.

The result is that the Mercedes EQE SUV feels more nimble than a car of this size usually does at lower speeds, while high-speed stability is highly impressive.

Although it is hardly a sports car, it at least has the composure and balance to match the performance, so while the keenest of drivers may be more interested in rivals from Jaguar and BMW, the EQE SUV is capable on a twisty road.

The entry level Mercedes EQE 350+ model offers 292PS and 765Nm of torque, so despite being the least powerful version in the range it is likely to be fast enough for the majority of buyers. 0-62mph takes just 6.9 seconds and the electronically limited top speed of 130mph is more than sufficient. 

Where the performance deficit becomes more apparent is at higher speeds, where acceleration is more restrained as it has to overcome the 2.5-tonne kerb weight.

Heavier still is the EQE 350 4Matic, which has the same power, torque and top speed figures, while its superior traction shaves the 0-62mph time down to 6.6 seconds.

The EQE 500 4Matic has almost a third as much power again at 402PS and 858Nm of torque, which is sufficient for a 0-62mph time of 5.0 seconds with the same 130mph top speed.

The additional performance is useful and makes the EQE more capable at higher motorway speeds, so the majority of buyers will find one of these two options provide the ideal balance of performance and efficiency.

Arguably the AMG EQE 53 4Matic+ has more performance than anyone could reasonably need and while it can blast to 62mph from rest in just 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 137mph. Sadly, the rest of the driving experience does not live up to the outrageous 617PS and 950Nm of torque available.

All versions provide the smooth and low-noise experience that EV buyers demand and combined with the impressive refinement and lack of wind noise thanks to the slippery body shape, the Mercedes EQE SUV provides top quality refinement and long-distance cruising ability.

Euro NCAP tested the Mercedes EQE SUV in 2023 and awarded it the full five stars. It achieved 87% for adult occupant protection, 90% for child occupant protection, 80% for vulnerable road users and 85% for safety assist, an impressive showing on all elements.

All versions of the EQE SUV are fitted with a broad range of safety features, with AMG Line Premium models and above also benefiting from the Driving Assistance Plus package, which includes active blind spot assist and active brake assist among many other features.

When specified with the optional Towing package, the Mercedes EQE SUV has an unbraked hauling capacity of 750kg and a braked towing capacity of 1800kg.

Although the Mercedes EQE SUV sits in the larger half of the firm’s electric SUV range, it is unlikely to be too big to suit the majority of buyers. The SUV experience starts from the moment you climb aboard, as the high seating position gives a good view out despite the imposing dashboard.

Head and legroom for front seats occupants is impressive and should be comfortably sufficient for adults six feet and over. Elbow room is similarly generous and helps to boost the feeling of luxury and comfort with so much space available.

In the rear the space available is also impressive with the EQE SUV having some advantages over the Mercedes EQE saloon counterpart in this respect.

The EQE SUV’s roofline extends much further back, giving more headroom to rear passengers, while the floor in the rear is flat and allows passengers to rest their feet beneath the front seats.

Boot space is a useful 520 litres, and although this is slightly less than the Audi Q8 e-tron and even the Jaguar I-Pace, the load area is a sensible shape and provides easy loading. Folding the rear seats over gives the Mercedes EQE SUV 1675 litres of boot space in total.

Expectations are usually high for anyone stepping into a car with the three-pointed star badge and for the most part the Mercedes EQE SUV delivers on this front.

It’s hard not to be impressed by the vast expanse of dashboard and the crystal-clear infotainment screens, especially in models equipped with the Hyperscreen layout. The imposing centre console and mix of materials and textures help to elevate the sense of occasion. 

Generally speaking, the quality of the materials in the cabin is good and the various elements feel well constructed but there are several areas where cheaper plastics have been used and some elements feel a little more flimsy.

Rivals from BMW and Audi do better in this respect, but it is hard to overlook the visual impact of the design which will be enough to win over some buyers.

The standard infotainment set up on the Mercedes EQE SUV is impressive, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a 12.8-inch central touchscreen mounted in portrait fashion. The main screen uses Mercedes’ latest MBUX software and has an OLED display, so the graphics are super-sharp. 

Menus are logical and the response to screen inputs is good, so it makes it an easy system to become familiar with and can be used with relative ease when on the move. Sensibly it also keeps the heating and ventilation controls on screen at all times. Although this is less preferable than physical buttons, it does make it easy to make quick changes to the settings.

It also comes with intelligent voice control, which you can call up by saying ‘Hey Mercedes’ and it can respond to indirect commands, so if you say ‘I am cold’ it will adjust the temperature, even recognising from which seat the request came from.

Navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are all standard, while higher specification versions add augmented reality navigation too. The standard sound system offers respectable audio quality but the more sophisticated Burmester surround sound system on the high-spec versions is particularly impressive.

The least expensive version of the Mercedes EQE SUV is priced at £74,495 for the EQE 350+. Adding 4Matic four-wheel drives increases this to £79,995.

With increased power, the least expensive EQE 500 4Matic weighs in at £90,560, while the most powerful AMG EQE 53 is a hefty £114,995. For reference, the cheapest Audi Q8 e-tron costs £69,885 and the BMW iX starts at £70,985, representing significant savings.

Used examples are mostly still within the Mercedes dealer network, with the cheapest EQE 350 models starting around £60,000, which is substantially less than the new list prices.

All versions of the Mercedes EQE SUV can accept a maximum charge rate of 170kW, which means a rapid public charger can take it from 10% to 80% in around 32 minutes, which is on par with the Audi Q8 e-tron but less than the BMW iX. 

For comparison, a 7.4kW home wallbox charger would complete the same charge in 14-15 hours.

Where the EQE SUV is likely to attract big bills is with insurance, as all versions are classified in the highest insurance group of 50.

The Mercedes EQE SUV AMG Line comes with adaptive damping, Airmatic suspension, adaptive headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, electric front seats with climate control, electric tailgate, 12.3-inch digital instrument display, 12.8-inch infotainment system with navigation and wireless charging.

Move up to the Mercedes EQE SUV AMG Line Night Edition Premium to add a panoramic sliding sunroof, 21-inch alloy wheels, ambient lighting, Driving Assistance Package Plus, 360 degree camera, intelligent parking assist, traffic sign assist, dashcam plus the Burmester audio system.

Even more of a mouthful, the Mercedes EQE SUV AMG Line Night Edition Premium Plus which gains rear-wheel steering, digital headlights, noise insulating glass, surround lighting, 22-inch alloy wheels, acoustic comfort package, four-zone climate control and a head-up display.

No longer part of the new model line-up, the previously available Mercedes EQE SUV Business Class trim added exterior styling, 21-inch alloy wheels, air-balance package, heated steering wheel, comfort heated seats, luxury head restraints, nappa leather and a TV tuner.

Main attractions on the Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV Night Edition include active ride control, rear wheel steering, 21-inch alloy wheels, black exterior trim elements with minimal chrome-look finishes, digital headlights, dark-tinted privacy glass, a panoramic sliding sunroof, active ambient lighting, sports seats in the front, two-zone climate control and the Hyperscreen dashboard.

Sitting atop the range is the Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV Night Edition Premium Plus which additionally benefits from 22-inch alloy wheels, an electrically heated windscreen, laminated side windows, a heated steering wheel and rear seats and Thermotronic four-zone climate control.