2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV Reviews, Pricing & Specs

To design the EQE SUV, Mercedes took a shrink ray the EQS SUV. The two SUV models share all major styling features, including lots of curved surfaces, taillights that seem inspired by a 1990s Mercury Sable, and a large nonfunctioning grille also shared with the EQE and EQS sedans. The styling is largely determined by aerodynamics, with Mercedes claiming a 0.25 coefficient of drag, fairly low for an SUV, and crucial to maximizing EV range. The tradeoff is a bland design that leans heavily on the big Mercedes logo on the grille to draw attention.

Mercedes now considers SUVs to be merely a body style rather than distinct models, which is why we now have an EQE sedan and an EQE SUV. The two models share a platform and most major hardware, with different bodywork on top. In addition to having a taller body and a rear hatch in place of the sedan's trunk, the EQE SUV's 119.3-inch wheelbase is 3.5 inches shorter than the EQE sedan's, which gives the SUV better proportions, according to Mercedes. The EQE SUV is also about as wide as a Mercedes GLE-Class, its gasoline counterpart, but is 2.7 inches shorter and 4.3 inches lower.

The interior also largely copies the EQS SUV, as well as the EQ sedans. The dashboard is shaped like a giant porkchop, on top of which are mounted the various display screens. In Europe at least, the EQE SUV will be available with the same dashboard-spanning Hyperscreen display as the EQS SUV and EQ sedans, but the standard setup, with a freestanding instrument cluster and a touchscreen that reclines against the flat dash, might be the more attractive option. It gives the cockpit a more minimalist appearance and allows for some interesting trim options, like the fish scale-patterned dashboard fascia on our test car.

Other details, such as 64-color ambient lighting and turbine-shaped air vents, are familiar from most current Mercedes models and lend the interior even more character. While some plastic trim pieces felt a bit light and tinny, material quality generally seemed up to Mercedes standards. Real leather upholstery is an extra-cost option, but that's partly because Mercedes is now pitching its MB-Tex leatherette upholstery as a vegan option. This is an EV after all, and the focus on sustainability should extend beyond the powertrain.

The base single-motor EQE 350+ sends 288 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. The EQE 350 4Matic adds a second motor powering the front wheels, but while torque increases to 564 lb-ft, horsepower output remains the same. The dual-motor EQE 500 4Matic extracts 402 hp and 633 lb-ft of torque from its electric motors, but shares a 90.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack with the other two models.

The second motor doesn't provide a big performance boost on its own. The EQE 350+ will do zero to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, according to Mercedes, while the dual-motor EQE 350 4Matic takes 6.2 seconds to do the same. To boost efficiency, the front motor also disconnects when extra traction isn't needed. With its increased output, the EQE 500 4Matic can reach 60 mph from a standstill in a claimed 4.6 seconds, but even that is a bit behind the base version of the BMW iX. All EQE SUV models are currently limited to 130 mph.

When it unveiled the EQE SUV in late 2022, Mercedes also showed an AMG performance version with different motors producing up to 677 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque, a zero to 60 mph acceleration time of 3.4 seconds, and a 149-mph top speed. The Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV won't arrive until the 2024 model year, however.

In its current form, the Mercedes EQE SUV focuses more on luxury than performance. Our EQE 350 4Matic test car wasn't lacking in thrust, but the real standout of the driving experience was the pillowy ride enabled by the optional air suspension. As with the EQS SUV, however, Mercedes may have gone a bit too far in tuning the air suspension for comfort. We ended up leaving the EQE in Sport mode most of time just for added body control; the default Comfort mode felt way too loose.

Rear-axle steering is also available for increased maneuverability at low speeds. It can turn the rear wheels up to 10 degrees, which reduces the turning circle from 40.4 degrees to 34.4 degrees, according to Mercedes. The automaker claims this system also helps improve stability at higher speeds by reducing side-slip angle and yaw, essentially working to keep the vehicle tracking as straight as possible. Even with this system doing its thing, though, the EQE SUV didn't feel precise of confidence-inspiring, thanks to wobbly suspension and an uncommunicative steering system.

Unlike the larger EQS SUV, which gets a third row, the EQE SUV is available in only a two-row, five-seat configuration. That's not a big loss, however, as the EQS SUV's third row is too small to be of much use.

First-row and second-row passenger space is comparable to most rival electric SUVs. The EQE SUV's more upright roof also pays dividends for second-row passengers, who get more headroom than in a Cadillac Lyriq, and more legroom than in a Jaguar I-Pace. The seats themselves are also quite comfortable as well. Mercedes offers heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, heated rear seats, and four-zone automatic climate control.

Cargo space isn't especially generous for an SUV of this size, however. Open the power tailgate, and the EQE SUV has 14 cubic feet of cargo space with its rear seats up, and 55 cubic feet with the seats folded. For comparison, the BMW iX offers 35.5 cubic feet with its rear seats in place, and 77.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Like other EQ models, the EQE SUV also lacks a frunk. The hood is sealed, so you have to add washer fluid through a slot in the driver's side front fender.

For buyers committed to the Mercedes brand, the EQE SUV offers a more spacious-feeling cabin than the chopped-top EQE sedan. But it feels more like a sedan with added headroom than a proper SUV. Despite the elevated driving position, outward visibility is limited, particularly in front, where the front roof pillars block the view forward while turning. While Mercedes did include a handy storage nook under the center console, the main storage bin and door pockets are fairly small. Opt for the Hyperscreen, and some controls move down to the center console, where you're more likely to spill something on them.

The EQE SUV comes standard with a 12.8-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster running the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a Burmester audio system with Dolby Atmos sound-enhancing tech, wireless phone charging, and Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Music integration are standard as well, while a head-up display is optional.

Key MBUX features carry over from other Mercedes models, including excellent natural language voice recognition and a "Zero Layer" design for the main touchscreen that uses tiles laid over a giant map in place of menus for frequently-used functions like radio station selection. This means you don't have to toggle through multiple pages just to change stations, although that is still need to access some secondary features, such as settings.

Another feature making a repeat appearance from other Mercedes models is augmented reality navigation. When the native navigation system is running, this automatically pulls up a video feed from the car's front-mounted camera on the main touchscreen when approaching a turn, with overlaid arrows showing where to go. It's a bit more helpful than the standard prompts advising you to turn "in a quarter mile" or "300 feet," especially here, as our test car's navigation system seemed a bit slow, nearly causing some missed turns.

The optional Hyperscreen display, which hasn't been confirmed for the U.S., adds a third front-passenger screen, but all three are in one housing to give the appearance of a continuous screen. OLED tech provides stunning graphics that surpass the already-sharp standard infotainment system, and passengers can stream videos using the built-in Zync app, but the standard system is good enough that upgrading to the Hyperscreen isn't really necessary.

Screen size and integrated apps are typical tech talking points, but Mercedes EQ electric cars also include something a bit more New Age. The optional Energizing Comfort program uses different combinations of interior lighting, climate control settings, and sounds to keep the driver alert while reducing stress, with options including Forest Glade, Sounds of the Sea, and Summer Rain. We're not convinced of Energizing Comfort's efficacy, but it's good if you'd like a little white noise while driving.

As a new model, the 2023 EQE SUV hasn't received crash-test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Standard driver-assist features include forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. An optional Driver Assistance Package adds adaptive cruise control, active lane keeping.

Also part of the Driver Assistance Package is Pre-Safe Plus, a collection of features designed to mitigate the effects of a collision. Pre-Safe Plus can move the driver or front passenger up to 2.75 inches away from an impact zone by inflating seat side bolsters, according to Mercedes. Pre-Safe Sound emits sound bursts designed to trigger a stapedius reflex, reducing the likelihood of hearing loss.

Despite the aerodynamic styling, and other efficiency-focused features like the front-axle disconnect and a standard heat pump, the EQE SUV doesn't raise the bar when it comes to range. EPA estimates of 279 miles for the EQE 350+, 253 miles for the EQE 350 4Matic, and 269 miles for the EQE 500 4Matic are respectable, but considering that the BMW iX and Cadillac Lyriq both offer roughly 300 miles of range, not remarkable.

DC fast-charging performance is also merely adequate. The EQE SUV can DC fast charge at up to 170 kilowatts, allowing for a 10%-80% charge in 32 minutes, according to Mercedes. Using a Level 2 AC charger, a 10%-100% charge takes 9.5 hours.

Like other Mercedes electric cars, the EQE SUV has a four-year, 50,000-mile, new-vehicle warranty and a 10-year, 155,000-mile, battery warranty.

Pricing starts at $79,050 (including a mandatory $1,150 destination charge) for both the EQE 350+ and EQE 350 4Matic in base Premium trim, making this the first EQ model where AWD isn't an extra-cost option. The base price is just below the $80,000 price cap for electric SUVs under new federal tax credit rules. The EQE SUV is also assembled in Alabama, meaning it has a good chance of qualifying for the full $7,500 tax credit. As long as you don't upgrade to the Exclusive or Pinnacle trim levels, add any options, or choose the EQE 500 4Matic (which starts at $90,650 with destination), that is.

That pricing isn't very competitive with rivals like the Audi E-tron, Cadillac Lyriq, and Jaguar I-Pace, however. The BMW iX is a bit more expensive, but offers more range and cargo space. So while it does a good job of being a Mercedes, and incorporates some noteworthy features from previous EQ models, the EQE SUV doesn't set the standard for electric luxury SUVs.