You should know this about the Mercedes-Benz EQE
Mercedes-Benz has been working hard on the electric road in recent years. Parallel to the arsenal of petrol and diesel models, the German brand now also offers something for everyone in the EV field. The E-Class is the hub of the traditional range as the four-door EQE is for the electric models. In this test he shows his electrical skills.
How far is Mercedes in the electric field?
Mercedes-Benz is on a massive electric offensive. However, that started with a false start: we were not impressed by the EQC, and this electric SUV does not break any pots in the sales statistics. Mercedes then launched various EVs that do appeal to us: the EQA and EQB, the EQS and EQS SUV, and the EQT is now also on the way, a compact family car that is largely the same as the electric Renault Kangoo Electric. With all these EQ models you notice that they were already conceived as an electric car on the drawing board.
Am I looking at the Mercedes EQE or is that an EQS in the photos?
No, this is really the EQE, although you do have to look very closely to discover the differences. EQE is also quite large, but with a length of 4.95 meters it is 27 cm shorter than the EQS. Other outward clues must be sought in detail. For example, the headlights are slightly different in the front and the EQE has a more compact silhouette. When viewed from behind, the EQE’s shorter overhang is striking. In addition, it has an ‘old-fashioned’ trunk, while the EQS surprisingly has a fifth door. The main competitor of the Mercedes EQE is the Tesla Model S, although you could also cite the least wealthy Porsche Taycan as a competitor. With its size and battery capacity, the Nio ET7 is also in the same vein as the EQE.
Unlike the EQS, the EQE is a real sedan with a separate (and not too large) trunk.
Does the EQE also have a shrunken EQS interior?
Yes, the interior is also very reminiscent of that of the larger EQS, even if the large, car-wide Hyperscreen is missing from the EQE 350+. This is only available in the AMG versions, at a hefty additional cost. However, you can order options such as augmented reality, good autopilot systems and digital headlights that project information onto the road as desired. With its digital instruments and large central display, the dashboard of the EQE is very similar to that of the C-class in terms of operation and functionality, the choice of materials and the finish are beautiful.
Very nice, ultra modern interior.
Because the EQE is a lot shorter than the EQS, it naturally also has less space to offer. You feel quite high and the panoramic glass roof swallows up precious headroom. You notice that especially in the back. The sloping roofline does not help. There is enough room for your legs, but the EQE loses a direct comparison with the E-class. This also applies to the trunk of the EQE: no more than 430 liters fit in it. Mid-range format. Mercedes does supply the EQE with a tow bar. A (braked) weight of 750 kilos may be coupled to this.
How does the Mercedes EQE drive?
It should come as no surprise that the Mercedes EQE is a comfortable car. After all, Mercedes markets it as a kind of electric E-class. The Germans themselves speak of a ‘dynamic sedan next to the EQS’, but that is a bit far-fetched. The EQE brings peace in combination with silence. Our test car is equipped with air suspension, which is an option.
The EQE weighs a hefty 2,255 kilograms. A weight that cannot be disguised. You feel that the suspension is a bit harder and the shock absorbers have to work hard to keep the high weight in line. Especially on a bad road or on large thresholds, the chassis struggles a bit with all those kilos. Over long distances, however, the EQE is a superbly quiet car with excellent handling when corners come up. The fact that there is no heavy engine in the nose benefits the handling.
Speaking of the engine: what exactly is in the Mercedes EQE?
With EVs, it is of course all about the combination of the electric motor and the battery pack. The Mercedes EQE 350+ is driven via the rear wheels by an electric motor with a capacity of 292 hp. It draws its power from a battery with a capacity of 90.6 kWh (gross: 100 kWh). According to Mercedes good for a range of more than 750 kilometers. That is, if you would only use the car in the city. In the mix, the EQE 350+ has a WLTP range of up to 646 kilometers. In our test, a distance of 535 kilometers remains. The low air resistance of the EQE definitely pays off here. Charging at the fast charger is possible with a maximum of 170 kW.
No frunk, so you can refill the windshield washer fluid through this side pocket.
What else is there to choose?
Mercedes immediately launched a lot of power variants of the EQE. The range starts with the EQE 300, which has a slightly smaller battery pack of 89 kWh and an engine power of 245 hp. The EQE 350 4Matic has two electric motors, power and battery capacity are the same as those of the 350+.
The EQE 500 4Matic has the same battery pack as the 350+ of 90.6 kWh. Both electric motors transfer 408 hp to the four wheels. Finally, there are two even more powerful AMG versions of the EQE: the AMG 43 4Matic has an output of 476 hp, the AMG 53 4Matic+ even 625 hp.
What is standard on the EQE and what can I order at extra cost?
As we are used to from Mercedes, a long price list with numerous options and choices has also been compiled for the EQE. The Luxury Line and the more sporty AMG Line are the starting point for the EQE 350+. You can choose from numerous option packages, such as the Advanced (Plus) and Premium (Plus) packages, as well as the Night package. And then there are a lot of options that can be ordered separately. Too many to mention; via the configurator on the Mercedes website, you can fully indulge in the ideal composition of your future EQE.
You sit very reasonably, but it is not a limousine.
The same goes for the safety equipment. One of the most important core values ​​of Mercedes-Benz is further expanded in the electric EQ models. Mercedes’ adaptive cruise control Distronic, for example, automatically adjusts the speed when approaching a bend, while the optional Digital Light provides a powerful beam of light in all circumstances, while adapting to the course of the road and the traffic present.
The choice of AutoWeek test coordinator Marco Gorter
There is no such thing as a slow EQE, so in principle a 300 will suffice in the Netherlands. The money you save can be spent on the almost endless list of options. Highlights are the Premium Pack, which immediately covers a lot of useful and fun trinkets, and the rear-axle steering, which makes the hefty EQE a lot more agile in the city. Air suspension is also an expensive but very nice option for the heavy EQE. Anyone who has access to a 32 Ampere charging station can also opt for a 22 kW charger, which is not yet commonplace.
.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl