Its big brother is the EQS, the gliding behemoth that wants to be the S-Class of tomorrow. Then you have the EQB and EQA, essentially the GLA and GLB with their hearts swapped for batteries. Somewhere in the middle of this alphabet soup is the EQE, supposedly the sweet spot of the range.

But, is this the E-Class of EVs, or has Mercedes overcooked its recipe?

The Shape of the Future… or a Squashed Soap Bar?

Let’s not beat about the bush. The EQE looks like the EQS. And the EQS looks like… a melted bar of Dove. You could be forgiven for mistaking the EQE for something designed by a wind tunnel technician with no access to a ruler.

Sure, it’s aerodynamic. Slippery, even. But elegant? That’s up for debate. Strip the badge off the boot and you’d struggle to tell it’s a Mercedes. There’s none of that bold three-box presence we’re used to. Instead, it’s all curves and anonymity. Especially from the rear, which has the visual impact of a deflated balloon.

Underneath the Bubble

Still, beneath that wind-cheating silhouette lies an impressive powertrain. The EQE 300 makes do with a single motor on the rear axle, producing 241bhp and 550Nm of torque. It’ll do 0–100km/h in 7.3 seconds, which, while hardly setting your trousers on fire, is more than enough for your daily commute.

The 89kWh battery is good for up to 635km on the WLTP cycle, though real-world figures are closer to 500-550km. Still very impressive, considering the EQE’s kerb weight  a chunky 2.3 tonnes, with its buffet of onboard gadgetry.

Float Like a S-Class, Glide Like a Swallow

Where the EQE really earns its stars is on the road. The car floats across surfaces with the grace of a high-wire ballet dancer; eerily quiet, effortlessly composed, and absorbing road imperfections with all the fuss of a butler serving tea.

In fact, it rides better than the EQS. The EQE feels more resolved, more tied down, and less yacht-like, showing just how much calibration work Mercedes has put in.

Corners are child’s play thanks to the car’s rear-wheel steering, which pirouettes the rear tyres up to 10 degrees. It’s pure magic, and tight corners become nothing more than a simple flick of the wheel. This is what the EQE does best, and you’ll have to try it for yourself to really feel the difference.

Steering? Light but accurate. Throttle response? Predictable. Brakes? Ah. There’s the rub.

The Braking Paradox

The brake pedal in the EQE is, shall we say, not the car’s finest moment. It’s soft, inconsistent, and at times feels like you’re playing a game of guess-the-pressure.

You’ll quickly learn to rely on the regen braking system, which is thankfully excellent. You can adjust how much regen you need too via paddle shifters, allowing for corner-for-corner calibration.

Inside the Digital Cathedral

Step inside and you’re met with a cabin that is quintessentially Mercedes-Benz. Without the optional Hyperscreen component, the standard setup includes a 12.8-inch infotainment display and a 12.3-inch driver cluster.

More importantly, forgoing the Hyperscreen gives you access to tasteful wood veneers or metallic panels, fewer fingerprints, and a warmer ambience overall. Sometimes, less really is more.

Space up front is generous. The seats are plush, the materials top-notch, and storage is decent. However, rear headroom suffers due to the coupe-like roofline. Don’t expect a commanding view out the back, as the rear window is roughly the size of a letterbox slot.

The boot offers 430 litres, which is decent for a golfing weekend but not stellar. A BMW i5 or even an E-Class does better.

A first step into a new world

The EQE 300 offers refinement, comfort, and a genuine glimpse into Mercedes’ electric future, minus the sticker shock of an EQS. It’s better built than some rivals, but it still struggles to match the driving engagement of others.

If you want serenity, slickness, and a car that turns motorways into meditation sessions, you’ll find solace here. But if you’re after something with soul and steering feel, you might want to glance east to Munich.

Technical Specifications

Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 Electric Art

Engine: Single Electric Motor, Rear-Wheel Drive
Power: 180kw (241bhp)
Torque: 550Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 7.3 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 210km/h
Battery Capacity: 89 kWh
Drive Range: 630 km (WLTP)
Energy Consumption: 4.8 km/kWh (claimed)
Price: S$424,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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When the titans of the automotive industry, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, announced their foray into electrification, they promised a streamlining of their model ranges, a focused approach to customer preferences, and a reduction in the number of model variants.

However, skeptics, including myself, suspected that these declarations might just be lip service, and the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is a testament to this notion.

Its existence, characterised by its size, price, and specifications, seems to be a direct response to the success of BMW’s iX flagship and Audi’s Q8 E-tron.

However, the sheer number of offerings from Mercedes-Benz’s EQ lineup already gives prospective buyers plenty to choose from. So, can the EQE SUV carve its own niche from the pack? Or more importantly, can it fit in?

Streamlined Smoothness

In terms of design, the EQE SUV detracts itself from its sedan counterpart. Ironically, it is lower by 4.4 inches, and more rounded, deviating from the taut lines of the sedans.

Despite being 2.4 inches shorter in length, it is nearly identical in width to its conventionally powered counterpart, the GLE.

The EQE SUV’s sleek design, coupled with its smooth underbody, contributes to an impressive drag coefficient of 0.25.

And this futuristic Macintosh-esque facade does turn plenty of heads around town. While its appearance may not appeal to everyone, especially those who prefer a more conventional design, it is in line with its competitors like the aforementioned BMW iX and Audi e-tron, each offering its own unique take on the modern SUV concept.

Luxury Tuned

The interior of the EQE SUV echoes the design of the EQE saloon, featuring high-quality materials that exude luxury and sophistication.

Stepping inside, you’re greeted by a substantial dashboard that may seem overwhelming at first thanks to its large screens and lack of buttons. Mercedes-Benz has opted for a traditional luxury approach with stitched leather and classic wood trims, contrasting BMW’s more modern material choices and designs.

While the interior is undeniably luxurious, some may find it lacking in freshness, as it mirrors most of the models in the current crop of Mercedes vehicles.

The sports steering wheel is substantial, adorned with a plethora of haptic touch buttons that may require some time to familiarize yourself with. The touchscreen interfaces are relatively user-friendly, although Mercedes’ UI may take some adjustment for those accustomed to other carmakers’ systems.

This review unit is the Electric Art trim, and comes equipped with a 12.3-inch driver display and a massive 12.8-inch central display.

Customers can even spring for the Hyperscreen in the EQE SUV, adding an additional 12.3-inch display on the passenger side. This display offers entertainment options, including games and access to streaming services through Mercedes’ subscription service.

However, Mercedes has taken measures to ensure that these entertainment features do not distract the driver. For example, the passenger display dims if the driver looks at it for more than two seconds, maintaining a focus on safety.

In terms of practicality, the EQE SUV offers ample space for passengers, with generous legroom in the back and reasonable accommodations for a middle passenger. The flat floor in the rear provides a comfortable seating arrangement, and the added headroom thanks to the taller roofline is much more accommodating to taller folk.

With 520 litres of flat boot space with the seats up and 1,675 litres with the seats down, the EQE SUV offers competitive storage capacity, comparable to rivals such as the BMW iX and Audi Q8 e-tron. My only slight complaint is the high boot floor, which may make heavy objects a challenge to lift.

Brisk Silence

The EQE SUV from Mercedes-Benz doesn’t exactly set the road on fire with its driving dynamics, but that’s not to say it’s a slouch either. Mercedes has made efforts to highlight the car’s sporty attributes, and it handles its size well.

Mechanically, the EQE SUV is quite conventional, based on Mercedes’ Electric Vehicle Architecture and offering familiar electric powertrain components. Its aerodynamic design also makes it Mercedes’ most efficient SUV to date, featuring innovative aerodynamic elements to enhance efficiency.

The standard air suspension handles road imperfections well, maintaining consistent ground clearance. However, the suspension setup can feel a bit floaty, potentially inducing a feeling of seasickness.

Weighing in at around 2.5 tonnes, the EQE SUV’s heft is noticeable, but manageable in the corners thanks to most of its bulk being centralised in the floor of the car.

The 10-degree rear-wheel steering offers better handling too, with sharp turn-in and improved maneuverability in urban settings. This is an absolute lifesaver in U-turns and tight parking spaces.

When muscle is needed, the EQE SUV 300 can accelerate to the century marker in 7.6 seconds. This is thanks to 241bhp and a healthy 550Nm of torque at your dispoal, and the car can sit in serene bliss at a top speed of 210km/h.

Although, the brakes can be a bit grabby, but the regenerative braking system provides smart regen for one-pedal driving.

In terms of efficiency, the EQE SUV achieved around 16.9kWh/100km during my time with it, and it gave me a range of 554km.

Suffice to say, its 89kWh battery is more than sufficient for the weekly commute, and even if you do run out of juice, the EQE SUV can be charged from 10-80 per cent in just 50 minutes with a suitable 100kW charger.

Sized Just Right

The EQE SUV from Mercedes-Benz to me is a nice sweet spot in terms of size and practicality. However, the steep price tag might deter would-be buyers from signing on the dotted line.

That’s not to say the EQE SUV doesn’t have its merits. It boasts solid construction, a decent driving experience (if you can resist the urge to push it too hard), and really good range. However, these qualities might not be compelling enough to justify the high price, especially when compared to more competitively priced alternatives in the market.

Despite this, the EQE SUV is a likeable and practical vehicle. It’s well-equipped, easy to live with, and offers a premium driving experience. Mercedes has packed it with advanced technology, making it both sophisticated and user-friendly. It performs admirably for its size and weight, offering a comfortable ride and competent handling.

While the EQE SUV may seem like a mere addition to Mercedes’ lineup without much innovation, it does highlight the potential benefits of larger electric vehicles. It may not be the most revolutionary electric SUV on the market, but it does showcase Mercedes’ commitment to expanding its electric vehicle offerings.

Technical Specifications

Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV 300 Electric Art

Engine: Single Synchronous Motor, Rear-Wheel Drive
Power: 180kw (241bhp)
Torque: 550Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 7.6 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 210km/h
Battery Capacity: 89 kWh
Drive Range: 565 km
Energy Consumption: 5.2 km/kWh (claimed)

Price: S$418,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Mercedes-Benz Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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In fact, the car is only about 90mm shorter than the EQS, with the two sharing the same bespoke design language from Mercedes-Benz.

Two models will be available from launch, with buyers having the option of choosing between the long-range EQE 350+ or the powerful and exciting EQE 43 4Matic.

Long-range luxury cruiser

Even though it is “considered” the base model, the EQE 350+ is still a comprehensive package to be reckoned with. A single rear motor propels the car forward with 292bhp and 565Nm of torque, enabling the EV to sprint to 100 in just 6.4 seconds.

A beefy battery pack lies within, with 90.6 kWh of useable power at your disposal. This equates to up to 660 kilometres (WLTP) on a single charge. Trip to Kuala Lumpur? An easy affair with the EQE. If you’re running low on juice, the EQE also supports 170kW fast DC charging, allowing you to top up about 250 kilometres of range in just 15 minutes.

To counter its large wheelbase, the EQE is optionally available with rear-axle steering. Buyers can opt for either 4.5° or 10° steering angle, and the 10° rear-axle steering reduces the car’s turning radius by about 2 metres.

Posh materials such as Nappa leather envelop you as you step into the cabin, and physical buttons are few and far between. Instead, large screens dominate your field of view, with unique chimes being played whenever you unlock or lock the doors, or when you start or stop the vehicle. 

Mercedes has also included a HEPA filter as part of the optional ENERGIZING AIR CONTROL Plus package. The filter cleans the air that enters the cabin from the outside, and its very high filtration level allows it to clean up to 99.75% of particles. If that isn’t enough, around 600 grams of activated charcoal is used in conjunction to neutralise odours. 

For storage, 430 litres of boot space is available, with the rear seats being able to fold 40:20:40 should you need to lug around longer cargo.

In line with Mercedes-Benz’s continuous efforts to become more sustainable, the EQE is also one of the first vehicles to be manufactured with steel produced from Salzgitter AG, which is 100 per cent recycled.

On the surface, this seems like a small change, but it helps reduce overall CO2 emissions in rolled steel production by more than 60 per cent.

Oh, you wanted more performance?

For those beckoning for more power, Mercedes-Benz is also launching the EQE 43 4Matic variant. Power is boosted to 476bhp and a staggering 858Nm of torque, which can launch all 2.5 tonnes of EQE to 100km in just 4.2 seconds.

Even though the EQE 43 4Matic does have the same battery pack, its increased performance means the total range does taper off slightly, down to 534km (WLTP).

The EQE 43 4Matic receives AMG-specific design cues, with the most obvious difference being a new front grille featuring vertical slits and AMG badging. Aero bits on this model are more aggressive and highlighted in gloss black to give the car a classy two-tone look.

Instead of the usual 20-inch aero rims that are on the EQE 350+, the EQE 43 4Matic sits on massive 21-inch alloys.

A standout feature in the cabin is the MBUX Hyperscreen, which is only available on the EQE 43 variant. Similar to the EQS, it utilises multiple displays merged seamlessly to create an immersive curved display that spans the entire dashboard. 

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