The EQE SUV banishes any sort of range anxiety (and it's pretty luxurious too) The post Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV Review appeared first on Changing Lanes.
Read Caroline’s Mercedes-Benz EQE review for everything you need to know about buying Mercedes’ new mid-size electric SUV in Ireland.
The Mercedes-EQ range of electric vehicles has expanded this year with the arrival of the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV and the EQS SUV.
Based on Mercedes’ new bespoke electric platform that underpins the EQE and EQS electric saloon cars, these two new models offer a fashionable SUV version but with the same luxury and technology onboard.
The new Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV goes on sale priced from €98,780 with a number of versions available, including single motor, rear wheel drive, and dual motor, all wheel drive versions. It sits above the EQA and EQB electric SUVs in the Mercedes-Benz range, offering a spacious cabin and an electric driving range in the region of 500 kilometres.
Let’s take a closer look.
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
Styling
The EQE SUV is the SUV version of the EQE saloon that launched in Ireland in 2022. It carries some of the same styling cues that characterise the Mercedes-EQ range. The design is all about enhancing aerodynamic efficiency so it is quite soft and smooth in its design compared to the more chiselled look of a traditional fuel-powered Mercedes SUV like the GLC or GLE for example.
There are two different exterior trim options: Electric Art and AMG Line. The test model was the EQE SUV 300 with AMG Line exterior that retails from €104,546. It’s a suitably classy finish in beautiful Sodalite Blue metallic (pictured above) with 20-inch alloys sporting an aero design.
Electric Art versions have an elegant 19-inch design. At the front, the black panel lends a futuristic face to the EQE SUV. The optional Mercedes-Benz logo pattern adds some bling, as does high-tech LED lighting. Flush door handles glide out as you approach the car.
At the back there is a full width light bar with stunning light detail.
Interior
The cabin also shares similarities with the EQE saloon. Yet buyers will appreciate a greater feeling of space and higher driving position. Once again, there is the choice of interior style: Electric Art or AMG Line. Both are equally luxurious. Leather upholstery comes as standard and is available in a range of colours. The material quality is excellent and ambient lighting illuminates the cabin to great effect. There’s also a gorgeous leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The cabin of the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV with the optional ‘Hyperscreen’
A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster comes as standard, as does a portrait-style touchscreen with voice control, over-the-air updates and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. It works impeccably and looks great too, a real highlight of the interior.
Other features include a reversing camera, park assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot assist, wireless smartphone charging, and heated front seats with power adjustment and lumbar support.
Practicality
There is generous legroom and headroom in the back of the EQE SUV. There’s also a large boot of 520 litres with some underfloor storage. A powered tailgate comes as standard.
Driving
There are single motor, rear wheel drive, or dual motor, ‘4Matic’ four wheel drive versions available of the EQE SUV. Depending on model, the range varies from about 474-564 kilometres (WLTP), and power from between 245hp and 476hp. For example, the EQE 300 on test offers 245hp, 550Nm of torque and a range of up to 544 kilometres (WLTP). It feels swift and capable on the road with 0-100km/h in 7.6 seconds. There are more powerful versions available, for instance the EQE 350+/ 350 4Matic (292hp) and the EQE 500 4Matic (408hp).
The EQE SUV offers a range on the region of 500 kilometres
The EQE SUV uses the same electric car platform as the EQE and EQS saloons. It offers a very quiet and refined driving experience. It’s notably comfortable over Irish tarmac thanks to a standard-fit air suspension with adaptive damping. It’s not the most involving SUV to drive, but it feels secure and agile through bends. With the Mercedes’ Dynamic Select system, the driver can tweak the driving experience somewhat via four different mode: Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual. There is also regenerative braking, the strength of which can be easily adjusted using the paddles behind the steering wheel.
A heat pump comes as standard that uses waste heat from the battery and electric motor to warm the interior. Consumption is rated between 18.5 – 21.9kWh, which is realistic in real world driving. However with the high capacity 89kWh battery, the range is so good that it allows a lot of comfort between charges!
To increase ground clearance, the vehicle level can be raised by up to 30 millimetres from a button in the infotainment screen. Towing capacity is up to 750kg in rear wheel drive versions or 1800kg for the four wheel drive models.
Charging
AC charging of the battery is possible up to 11kW possible, taking about 10 hours to charge or 14 hours from a 7kW wallbox at home, for example. There is the option to upgrade to a 22kW.
DC fast charging is possible up to 170kW, so an 80% charge can be got in about 32 minutes.
Boot space in the EQE SUV
Pricing
The range is available from €98,780 for the EQE 300 SUV with a range in the region of 543 kilometres (WLTP), all the way up to about €141,905 for the top of the range Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 4MATIC SUV.
Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is yet another luxury electric SUV to hit the market this year. Built on a bespoke electric platform, the EQE SUV is well-designed with a spacious interior.
Though based on the EQE saloon, it offers a different sort of experience from behind the wheel. It’s more spacious for a start and many will enjoy the lofty driving position, while the ride quality on the standard air suspension is impeccable.
The EQE saloon is a more engaging vehicle to drive overall but it’s easy to see the allure of the SUV. And both models do share the same excellent onboard digital tech and comfort. It’s expensive but the interior of this car really does lift it above its rivals.
Along with an excellent battery range, that makes day to day driving a pleasure in the EQE SUV.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is an incredibly luxurious electric SUV
The post Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV Review appeared first on Changing Lanes.