Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV Review 2024

If you want your luxury electric SUV to deliver plenty of technology and refinement, the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV could be right for you. It has enough space to be practical for families and boasts a useful battery range.

Rivals like a BMW iX will be a touch more engaging and sporty to drive, although the Mercedes is arguably better looking. A Tesla Model X brings more pizzazz with its ‘Falcon Wing’ doors, while an Audi Q8 e-tron is a more conventional (and cheaper) electric SUV.

Buying new does mean with a hefty price tag, though, meaning a used example of the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV could provide a lot of electric SUV for less money. 

The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV comes with an extensive array of trim levels. Most of these are based upon the standard AMG Line model, but with additional equipment added on.

We would be inclined to avoid the entry-level AMG Line version and jump to the EQE SUV in AMG Line Premium trim. This brings extra niceties in the form of 21-inch alloy wheels, Digital Light LED headlamps, a panoramic sunroof and an integrated dashcam.

AMG Line Premium also includes a Burmester surround-sound system, a 360-degree parking camera and augmented reality for the satellite navigation.

In terms of motor options, the EQE SUV 350 should be more than sufficient for most needs. It can accelerate from 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds and comes with the best battery range of the EQE SUV lineup.

The choice of electric luxury SUVs continues to grow, meaning the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV has a number of alternatives for you to consider. A BMW iX is perhaps the closest rival, along with the recently renamed Audi Q8 e-tron, although both are cheaper to buy.

Another option is the Jaguar I-Pace, while the Tesla Model X is always hard to ignore if you are a fan of the American brand.

Should you prefer a saloon body style, the Mercedes-Benz EQE saloon makes use of the same platform as the SUV model.

As an SUV costing more than £90,000, and with a three-pointed star badge on the grille, expectations for interior quality are high for the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV. The reality is a little more mixed, depending on how much you want to prod and poke around the cabin.

The vast majority of the interior is made from high-end materials, with leather upholstery standard across the range. The steering wheel is wrapped in Nappa leather, while multi-colour ambient lighting adds to the perceived quality.

However, some of the plastics used lower down in the cabin can feel surprisingly cheap and hollow. Mercedes-Benz has used flimsy recycled plastics to line the cubbies, and the door pulls have a lack of solidity that grates a little. It is not the end of the world, but it seems at odds with the premium positioning of the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.

Infotainment inside the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is determined by how high up the model range you want to climb. Entry-level versions come fitted with a 12.8-inch portrait-orientated multimedia touchscreen, combined with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel.

Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV models in AMG Line Premium Plus trim and above come with the impressive Hyperscreen infotainment display. This uses three screens that span some 56 inches across the whole dashboard, with OLED technology beneath a single glass panel.

It looks impressive, and gives the passenger their very own 12.3-inch screen as well. Should you want to spend an additional £8,000, the Hyperscreen can be added to the AMG Line Premium model, too.

Regardless of the specification, the EQE SUV’s infotainment system works reasonably well, being responsive to inputs. Having to use a touchscreen for the climate control settings is a pain, but at least Mercedes leaves these icons constantly displayed on screen.

Satellite navigation is fitted to all models as part of the MBUX software, with loftier versions gaining an augmented reality display to aid with directions. All models above the AMG Line come with a powerful Burmester sound system, along with wireless smartphone charging. These higher-specification versions also have an integrated dashcam, and even a fingerprint scanner to protect personal data.

The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV looks a lot like the flagship EQS SUV, but does have slightly smaller proportions. Measuring 4863mm in length and 1940mm in width, the EQE SUV is certainly not a compact crossover, though.

For those in the front, this translates into plenty of space for even the tallest of drivers, aided by a flat floor. That extra width means you won’t be bashing shoulders with the front-seat passenger across the sizable centre console.

In the rear, the generous headroom and legroom continues, with space for two six-foot adults to be seated in comfort. A third adult can be squeezed into the middle seat if needed, although this is best reserved for shorter journeys to avoid any complaints.

Boot capacity in the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV stands at a respectable 520 litres with the rear seats in place. Dropping the back bench down boosts this to a considerable 1675 litres of luggage space. The loading lip is a little high, however, due to one of the electric motors being mounted underneath the boot floor.

For comparison, a BMW iX offers 500 litres of boot space, while the Audi Q8 e-tron comes up trumps with 569 litres.

The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV can be distilled down to three distinct powertrain options, all of which come with 4Matic four-wheel drive as standard.

Starting the range is the EQE 350, which develops 288PS and a considerable 765Nm of torque. Despite the EQE SUV weighing in at 2580kg, this entry-level powertrain can deliver a brisk 0-62mph time of just 6.6 seconds. This should be more than enough for most drivers, with the performance starting off strong, but tailing off as the speed builds.

Opting for the EQE 500 ups the power output to 402PS, along with 858Nm of torque. Despite having a larger battery, it actually weighs slightly less than the EQE 350, and benefits from a faster 0-62mph time of 4.9 seconds. In the slightly surreal world of EVs this is quick, if not groundbreaking performance.

For maximum speed, the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 brings 617PS and 950Nm of torque to the party. With a kerb weight of 2690kg, there is some serious physics at work to enable this version to accelerate from 0-62mph in just 3.7 seconds. It also has a top speed of 149mph.

The official battery range of Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is determined by the model chosen, along with the individual specification of the car.

For maximum range, go for the entry-level EQE SUV 350 in AMG Line trim, which has the ability to cover up to 334 miles from its 89kWh battery. The same motor and battery combination, but with the 22-inch wheels of the AMG Line Premium Plus package, sees this total decrease to 306 miles.

The more powerful EQE SUV 500 has an official range of up to 324 miles, thanks to a larger 91kWh battery, while the high-performance EQE 53 models can cover 305 miles on a full charge.

Just like any other electric vehicle, actual battery range will vary in the real world. Urban driving should see the EQE SUV travel further on a single charge than motorway use, for instance. Warmer weather also benefits the battery range.

Electric cars have to work harder to create a quiet environment, with the lack of engine noise making other sounds more apparent. Thankfully, Mercedes-Benz has made the EQE SUV one of the most refined vehicles around.

There is a notable absence of wind and tyre noise at motorway speeds, making for quiet long-distance cruising. AMG Line Premium Plus and Business Class models come with laminated window glass, further reducing the amount of noise transmitted into the cabin.

The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV was crash-tested by the Euro NCAP safety organisation at the end of 2023. When assessed, the EQE SUV received the maximum five-star rating for safety, accompanied by an 87 percent score for adult occupant protection. Child occupant protection was rated as 90 percent.

Standard safety equipment includes a plethora of airbags, speed limit assistance, parking sensors, a reversing camera and evasive manoeuvre support. All models above AMG Line trim come with Driver Assistance Package Plus, which adds Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and much more safety technology.    

Mercedes-Benz was historically known for its bank vault-like build quality, along with other cliches for dependability. Since the turn of the millennium, this image has declined, as demonstrated by the latest results of the Honest John Satisfaction Index survey.

The German brand found itself ranked as the sixth worst for reliability, behind Jaguar, Audi and Ford.

All versions of the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV come with a three-year/unlimited-mileage warranty. The battery pack is covered by a separate 10-year/155,000-mile warranty.

The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is a large and expensive electric crossover, packed with the latest premium technology. It also delivers considerable performance, despite its hefty dimensions.

As a result, it should perhaps be no surprise that the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV finds itself placed in group 50 for insurance – the very highest group. This applies to all versions, from the 350 through to the performance AMG models.

For comparison, entry-level xDrive40 versions of the rival BMW iX start in the slightly lower group 47.

As an all-electric battery SUV, the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV receives the benefit of free VED (road tax). You do still need to apply for this every year, but there is nothing to pay.

For company car drivers, the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV comes with an attractive two percent Benefit-in-Kind tax rate – far lower than an equivalent petrol or diesel SUV.

Mercedes-Benz has not skimped on standard equipment for the EQE, nor indeed with the sheer choice of trim levels on offer.

The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV AMG Line is the starting point for the range, featuring LED headlights with Adaptive High-Beam Assistance, 20-inch AMG alloy wheels in a five-spoke design, air suspension and a power-operated tailgate.

On the inside is leather upholstery, three-zone climate control, ambient lighting and parking sensors aided by a reversing camera. There is a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, plus a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The AMG Line Premium trim level adds multi-spoke 21-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sliding sunroof and upgraded digital LED headlights. Active ambient lighting can be found inside, along with a Burmester sound system, integrated dashcam and augmented reality for the satellite navigation.

Opting for the EQE SUV in AMG Line Premium Plus trim brings 22-inch alloy wheels, heat- and noise-insulating laminated glass, surround lighting and rear axle steering. A head-up display, the Mercedes-Benz Hyperscreen and the acoustic comfort package are fitted, too. 

Top of the non-AMG Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV range is the Business Class model, wearing 21-inch alloy wheels and bespoke body styling. Nappa leather is used for the upholstery, with the centre console finished in open-pore ship deck maple trim. Comfort seats, a heated steering wheel, a TV tuner and an Energising Package are all included.

The performance Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 Night Edition comes with matt black 21-inch alloy wheels, AMG styling, red brake callipers and a Night Package that comprises black exterior trim.

AMG sports seats are finished in Nappa leather, with the steering wheel clad in a combination of Nappa leather and microfibre material. There is also a Burmester 3D sound system, head-up display and an AMG Track Pace package.

The Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 Touring adds 21-inch AMG alloy wheels in a cross-spoke design and silver brake callipers. Inside, the steering wheel is finished solely in Nappa leather, and also gains a heating function.