In 2019, the first electric EQ car was released. It was an SUV named Mercedes-Benz EQC.
The fact is, however, that Mercedes-Benz has been producing electric cars long before the EQ was launched. Already in 2010, the brand could boast the world’s first fully electric van, and in 2012 the B-class Electric Drive was shown to the world with a theoretical range of 200 kilometers.
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A lot has happened since then and today the EQ models range from sedans and SUVs to vans and minibuses.
Just a few years ago, the EQS arrived which was supposed to be an electrified replacement for the flagship S-Class model.
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The model received mixed reviews and was criticized, among other things, for its creaky interior with plastic elements – something that is not acceptable in a car in that price range.
A few years have passed since the launch of the flagship and Mercedes continues its electric car offensive. The fourth car in the EQ brand is called the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Just soft shapes
The EQE SUV is based, unsurprisingly, on the same technology as its sibling model, the sedan Mercedes-Benz EQE.
The design is new with, apart from the obvious size difference, a shorter wheelbase, a different design of the lamps and a smooth, streamlined profile.
The model looks well-proportioned and the shape masks the exterior dimensions of the car well. The round body shape also helps to reduce air resistance, which contributes to a longer range.
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Bright carpets are not optimal
On the inside, the sweeping shapes continue with a large dashboard where two screens take up space.
The test car was not equipped with Mercedes’ huge screen cluster, Hyperscreen, which also projects information and media to the passenger in the front seat. However, even the lower equipment level screens look well integrated.
The test car’s white interior was extremely impractical – Photo: Joel Sandberg
The white interior of our test car is extremely bright and permeates almost the entire interior. In addition to the white, leather-covered chairs, the light color theme also continues on the door sides and down to the floor.
It is not only the plastic parts around the feet that are white, but also the interior carpets, which quickly become dirty from the soles of the shoes that draw in dirt from the outside. No color theme for an adventurous family with children, in other words.
Touch that confuses
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is packed with technology. The vertical center screen displays Mercedes’ latest infotainment system, which flows well and is easy to navigate.
Below the screen is a small panel with touch controls to change the driving mode, activate the camera and adjust the media volume. However, the feeling of quality is not very impressive and the touch controls are difficult to control while driving.
The many touch controls are confusing to use – Photo: Joel Sandberg
The steering wheel is also equipped with a large number of touch controls. The touch buttons are so numerous that it easily confuses the driver rather than helping when something needs to be adjusted while driving.
In addition, the double-spoke design means that the controls are too small to be fine-tuned when driving over bumps.
Comfort in the first place
Fortunately, many bumps in the road are dampened by the comfortable air suspension. It also means that journeys are experienced as calmer and the car as more stable.
One point that the EQE SUV excels at is the noise level in the passenger compartment. The electric motors are incredibly well sound-insulated and the car is perceived as dead quiet even under throttle.
Comfort comes first in the EQE SUV – Photo: Joel Sandberg
It does seep in some wind noise at high speeds, but the EQE SUV is nonetheless quieter than many electric competitors even at highway speeds.
The front seats are nice to place your back in and the touch control that controls the seat setting is a bit difficult to operate, but once you get to grips with them, you are offered a number of setting options.
Lots of space
The back seat in the EQE SUV is spacious, both for the knees and the head. However, the seat cushion is perceived as a bit dull and a little too short.
The luggage space compares well with the competition and the rear seat can be folded 40:20:40 for easy loading of longer items.
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Performance called good enough
The test car was equipped with rear axle steering, which allows a tighter turning radius. However, it can sometimes make the car feel restless at lower speeds because it reacts relatively much to small steering movements.
The name EQE 500 SUV means that the car produces just over 400 horsepower, which is sent to the ground via two electric motors to all four wheels.
Despite its weight, it feels fast and the direct throttle response means that it is snappy even in city traffic.
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The bottom line
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is an extremely comfortable and convenient option among the electric SUVs available on the market.
The model’s big brother is called the EQS SUV and it offers more space.
Does the EQE SUV make its big brother unnecessary? – Photo: Joel Sandberg
The question I ask myself is whether it’s worth the step up from the EQE SUV, which already beats many of the competition in terms of comfort and convenience.
The air suspension means that the journey is always perceived as soft and the impressive range makes the model an excellent option for long journeys.
The EQE SUV meets most of the expectations placed on a luxury electric SUV, without having to carry the title of flagship model.
Overall impression Mercedes EQE 500 SUV: 4.5/5
Mercedes EQE 500 SUV (2023)
Engine: Electric motor on each axle, 408 horsepower, 858 newton meters.
Transmission: 1-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 4.9 seconds
Top speed: 210 km/h
Battery: 96 kWh (usable capacity)
Range: 552 km WLTP
Weight: 2,610 kg
Dimensions (length/width/height): 4863/2141/1685 mm
Award: SEK 949,000 (Test car approximately SEK 1,150,000)