Mercedes-Benz EQE Review

The Mercedes EQE is an electric car that's similar in size to the conventional Mercedes E-Class (hence the 'E' in the name). It's been designed from scratch as a pure-electric vehicle, though, sharing mechanical bits (and, in fact, a lot of its design) with the bigger and more expensive Mercedes EQS. Rivals range from the aforementioned Tesla Model S to the Audi e-tron GT, BMW i4 and even the Porsche Taycan.

Initially, all Mercedes EQE models came with the same 90kWh battery pack, which is pretty chunky as far as EV batteries go - and means the EQE can travel quite a distance between charges. The most efficient models have a range of up to 384 miles, while the EQE can be charged at a rate of up to 170kW – that means you can top up the battery in around half an hour at a public rapid charger.

From the summer of 2024, Mercedes upgraded the battery to a 96kWh unit, which increased the range up to 429 miles in the newly introduced EQE 350+ model. Another new model, the EQE 500 4MATIC, has a 90kWh battery.

There were initially three core models to choose from: the EQE 300, EQE 350 and the sporty Mercedes-AMG EQE 53. In 2024, Mercedes added the EQE 350+ and the EQE 500 4MATIC models to the line up.

The entry-level Mercedes EQE 350+ isn't that quick as far as electric cars go, while even the Mercedes EQE 350 doesn't shove you back in your seat like we've become accustomed to in electric cars. For the ultimate in Tesla-baiting acceleration, you'll need the Mercedes-AMG model – which comes with an extra electric motor and a price tag to match.

The Mercedes EQE is more of a relaxed cruiser than a frantic rocketship, though. It's the kind of car that isolates you from the outside world, with incredible refinement and an impressive ride quality for a car so heavy. Keen drivers will prefer the Porsche Taycan, but there's a lot to be said for schlepping along in luxury and letting everyone else tussle with traffic in the outside lane.

The opulent cabin helps here, too. There are a variety of trim levels to choose from, but all are well-finished and pretty comprehensively kitted out. We like the large infotainment screen in the centre of the dash, although tech fans will be disappointed to discover the huge 'hyperscreen' the EQE was initially revealed with is currently quite difficult to get – blame the global microchip shortage for that.

One thing the Mercedes EQE isn't is practical. If you're looking for a spacious family EV, you might be better looking at electric SUV alternatives (conveniently, a Mercedes EQE SUV is on its way). The small saloon-style boot hatch means loading bulky items into the EQE is a pain, while rear-seat passengers won't be particularly impressed either. None of that matters if you're the driver, though – and the front is suitably spacious, with plenty of adjustment in the large, comfortable seats.

If you can live with the compromise in practicality, the Mercedes EQE is a very appealing choice. We love the interior, while its more relaxed nature is quite welcome in an increasingly fraught world. You can get a BMW i4 for less, which is perhaps the biggest challenge the EQE faces, but we reckon the Mercedes manages to feel that little bit more special than its direct competitor.

The EQE 350+ Sport Edition is the best pick. Its rear-mounted electric motor produces 320PS, giving it smooth and effortless performance without the reduced efficiency of a dual-motor system.

It reaches 62mph in 6.1 seconds. That is quick enough for overtaking and motorway driving, even if it lacks the dramatic acceleration associated with some electric cars. The main advantage is range. Mercedes quotes up to 422 miles from the 96kWh usable battery, helped by the streamlined body and 19-inch wheels.

Sport Edition also includes the equipment most buyers are likely to use, including heated front seats, a heat pump, MBUX infotainment, a reversing camera, active parking assistance and adaptive high-beam headlights. AMG Line Edition adds sportier styling but does little to improve the ownership experience.

The Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ Sport Edition starts at £69,365. Higher AMG Line and Night Edition specifications move well beyond £70,000, while the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 starts at £105,995.

That puts the EQE against the BMW i5, Audi A6 e-tron and lower versions of the Porsche Taycan.

The entry model is generously equipped, so there is little need to climb the range unless features such as rear-axle steering, the Hyperscreen or a panoramic roof are priorities.

The BMW i5 is the EQE’s closest direct rival. It is more enjoyable to drive, has a more practical boot and feels more conventional inside. The Mercedes is quieter and offers a longer maximum range.

The BMW i4 is smaller and less expensive. Its hatchback tailgate makes it easier to live with, although it does not feel as spacious or luxurious in the front.

The Audi A6 e-tron combines a long range with faster charging and a more practical hatchback body. Its cabin does not feel quite as distinctive as the Mercedes’.

The Porsche Taycan is sharper, faster and more rewarding to drive. It also charges more quickly, but cannot match the EQE 350+ for maximum range.

Like many of its competitors, the Mercedes EQE is quite a large car. It measures 4946mm in length, 2103mm in width (including door mirrors) and 1510mm in height (or 1495mm for the AMG 53 models).

It does have its limitations in terms of practicality, though. Because it's a saloon, it has a relatively small boot opening. If you're looking to transport bulky items, you'd be much better looking at the BMW i4 with its hatchback-style boot lid – or an SUV alternative like the BMW iX or soon-to-be-launched Mercedes EQE SUV.

Aside from the tight access, the Mercedes EQE's boot isn't a bad size. It can accommodate up to 430 litres, while the rear seats collapse 40:20:40 to provide more luggage space if required. Unfortunately there isn't any extra space under the bonnet for stowing away charging cables.

We found that the back seats of the Mercedes EQE feel surprisingly claustrophobic for the size of the car. There's a reasonable amount of legroom, but you sit quite low down, so it never feels that comfortable. Headroom for adults is pretty restricted, too.

Things are better in the front, where there's quite a lot of adjustment in the seats and loads of space for the driver and front-seat passenger. The door pockets are generous in size, while there's some useful extra storage space underneath the floating centre console.

At 4,946mm long, the EQE takes up almost as much road space as a large luxury saloon. Its 1,961mm body width increases to 2,103mm with the mirrors extended. Narrow entrances, width restrictions and older multi-storey car parks require care.

Its smooth curves make the corners difficult to judge from the driver’s seat. Standard parking sensors and the reversing camera are therefore essential rather than merely convenient.

The turning circle is 12.5 metres on cars without rear-axle steering, reinforcing the impression of driving a substantial car. Premium Plus and selected higher versions use rear-axle steering. Turning the rear wheels in the opposite direction at low speeds makes the EQE noticeably easier to position in tight spaces.

One of the biggest talking points about the Mercedes EQE when it was first revealed was the Hyperscreen: a huge infotainment display made up of three separate screens running across the entire width of the dash. The microchip shortage which initially hampered deliveries of this spectacular open has eased off a bit and it’s now offered as standard equipment on AMG Line Night Edition Premium Plus trim and both variants of the AMG 53.

In the rest of the range you get a large 12.8-inch central touchscreen media display running the latest MBUX software. You can navigate the infotainment using touchpad controls on the steering wheel (as well as, obviously, leaning forward and touching the screen), but it's still not as user-friendly on the move as using a separate rotary controller like the one you get in a BMW i4.

Another way around this would be to use the 'Hey Mercedes' voice activated personal assistant which, in our experience, actually works quite well. It responds to vague commands such as "I'm cold" (turning up the climate control), while artificial intelligence means the MBUX will soon learn your personal habits (such as playing the radio station you like to listen to on your way home from work). Of course, you can bypass all this by connecting your phone and using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to access your Spotify playlists and use Google Maps for navigation.

As well as the slick central display, all Mercedes EQE models come with an impressive 12.3-inch digital display behind the steering wheel. This is easy to understand thanks to sharp graphics, while it's also easily configurable – although not quite as user-friendly as the Virtual Cockpit you'll find in the Audi e-tron GT.

The Mercedes EQE generally feels exceptionally well finished, with lots of premium materials and nice-to-touch buttons. The pleasing thing is you don't have to spend a fortune on one of the higher-spec models for this – even the most affordable Mercedes EQE Sport Edition feels sufficiently special (but what else would you expect with its relatively high start price?).

The current EQE range comprises the EQE 350+, EQE 500, and Mercedes-AME EQE 53. The new entry-level model doesn’t just start at a slightly cheaper price than before, it also gets you much further on a charge (see the stats in the next section), and offers more performance too – its rear-mounted motor makes 292PS (the same as the outgoing EQE 350, but way more than the 245PS of the EQE 300), and gets you from 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds. There are quicker electric cars, but Mercedes buyers will appreciate getting more for less with the latest model.

One step up in the range takes you to the EQE 500. This uses a pair of motors for all-wheel drive, 408PS combined, and 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds, which is enough to trouble all but the very quickest hot hatchbacks. Like the 350+, it also goes further on a charge than the old 300 and 350.

The fastest Mercedes-Benz EQE comes with an AMG badge. The Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4Matic+ (to give it its full name) is also all-wheel drive. With a hefty 625PS available (not to mention 950Nm of torque), the AMG EQE 53 will cover 0-62mph in a pretty rapid 3.5 seconds. Significantly, that's quicker than a BMW i4 M50 – but it won't outrun a Tesla Model S.

Our first impression of the Mercedes EQE is how large it is. Considering it's not Mercedes-Benz's biggest electric car, it actually feels quite cumbersome on a country road or negotiating a tight car park. Fortunately technology is on hand to make things that little bit easier.

Premium Plus models and above get rear-axle steering, which helps with the EQE's agility in tight spaces. The wheels will only turn by 4.5 degrees, so don't expect to outhandle a Smart Fortwo, but it does make a difference in a multi storey car park.

Out of town, you can tell the Mercedes EQE puts more of a focus on comfort rather than sporty handling. The last EQE we tested was the pre-facelift Mercedes EQE 350 AMG Line Premium Plus, which was fitted with the Airmatic air suspension, which does a pretty good of hiding the EQE's hefty kerb weight. Even on 21-inch alloy wheels, it'll soak up lumps and bumps in the road without being too floaty.

There's loads of grip on offer and the EQE's relatively low centre of gravity means it doesn't sway too much in corners. The steering is communicative enough, too, but if you're after enjoyment you'd be better looking at the Porsche Taycan or BMW i4.

First things first, the Mercedes EQE has been awarded five stars by Euro NCAP – so, fundamentally, it's every bit as safe as you'd expect an expensive Mercedes-Benz to be.

For the ultimate in driver-assistance tech, you'll need to look for a Mercedes EQE with the Driving Assistance package (standard on AMG Line Premium models) or the Driving Assistance package Plus (standard on AMG Line Premium Plus, Exclusive Luxury and Mercedes-AMG models).

Highlights of the Driving Assistance package includes Active Distance Assist Distronic (which helps regulate the car's speed and distance to the vehicle ahead, braking to a standstill if required). It also features Active Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist.

The Driving Assistance package Plus brings a full array of semi-autonomous driving technology. Highlights include the Active Emergency Stop Assist (which can bring the car to a stop if it detects a lack of driver intervention), Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function (which can apply the brakes to prevent a collision – or at least reduce the severity) and Active Evasive Steering Assist (which applies extra muscle to the steering to help you steer around an obstacle in an emergency).

The EQE 350+ supports AC charging at up to 11kW and DC rapid charging at up to 170kW.

Using an 11kW three-phase wallbox or public charger, a full charge takes approximately 10 hours and 15 minutes.

A typical 7kW domestic wallbox requires longer, but will still replenish the battery overnight in most circumstances.

Mercedes quotes 32 minutes for a 10 to 80 per cent rapid charge under suitable conditions.

A maximum of 170kW is respectable but no longer exceptional. The Porsche Taycan, Audi A6 e-tron and several less expensive EVs can charge considerably faster.

The EQE compensates with its long range. Drivers should need fewer charging stops than they would in a car with a smaller battery.

Public rapid charging can be expensive, particularly when replenishing such a large battery. Home charging on a discounted overnight tariff is the most economical approach and can reduce the cost of a full charge substantially.

Battery preconditioning prepares the pack for rapid charging when a suitable station is entered into the built-in navigation system.

The EQE has a three-year manufacturer warranty with no mileage limit. Its high-voltage battery is covered for 10 years or 155,000 miles.

Electric cars have fewer routine mechanical service items than petrol or diesel models, but the EQE still requires scheduled inspections. Its brakes, tyres, suspension, cooling system and electrical components all need to be checked.

Large tyres and the car’s substantial weight can make replacements expensive.

Mercedes servicing also costs more than it would for a mainstream electric car, although service plans allow payments to be spread.

Every Mercedes-Benz EQE sits in insurance group 50.

That is the highest possible rating and reflects the car’s value, performance, electrical complexity and likely repair costs.

The AMG EQE 53 is likely to be especially expensive to cover, but even the EQE 350+ can attract substantial premiums.

Insurance costs vary considerably according to driver history, postcode, annual mileage and where the car is stored.

A quotation for the exact derivative should be obtained before ordering or buying used.

The Mercedes EQE is taxed at £200 from the second year, but because every current EQE costs more than the £50,000 threshold for the zero-emission Expensive Car Supplement, it's liable for a further £440 a year for five years from the beginning of the second year.