HIGH ACHIEVER
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is every bit as convincing as its sedan equivalent
The seemingly never-ending wave of EVs from Mercedes-Benz continues to gather pace with the German brand’s two latest offerings: SUV versions of the mid-size EQE and the large EQS.
Now, if you are thinking “there are already an EQE and EQS in the line-up”, you would be very correct. But Mercedes has seemingly embarked on a mission to confuse as many people as possible with these new dedicated EV models.
The company’s ICE models are nicely categorised by a naming system that indicates size and body style. So there’s an E-Class sedan and the SUV equivalent of that is the GLE, for example.
With the EVs, the extra letters denoting body style are gone, which is why we now have an EQE sedan and EQE SUV.
Oh, and just to make it more confusing, the electric models that share a platform with an existing ICE model stick to the original designations, with “EQ” in place of the body style designation (EQA for the electric version of the GLA, EQC for the electric version of the GLC).
Adding to the potential confusion is the fact that the models on the all-electric platform all look strikingly similar — the EQE and EQS sedans aren’t easy to tell apart with a casual glance, with it possible to think an EQE is just an EQS that is a bit further away. The same applies to the new SUV versions.
Still, that is where we are now, and the fact remains that, after our first taste of the EQE SUV, we can safely say that the taller Mercedes EV is every bit as convincing as its much lower, longer sedan counterparts.
We’ve just spent a little time with the EQE in two of its locally available forms — the EQE 300 SUV and EQE 350 4Matic SUV.
Both SUVs have slightly shorter wheelbases than their sedan counterparts, but rather obviously pump up the cargo space available, with the EQE offering 520 litres in the boot, or 1675 litres when the rear seats are folded down.
Both versions of the EQE SUV use an 89kWh battery that offers a range of “up to 539km”. It can be charged at up to 350kWh, with a 10-80 per cent charge taking 32 minutes at full speed on a hypercharger, or around 90 minutes on a standard 50kWh fast charger.
The 300 model kicks off the EQE SUV range at $139,900 and packs a single 180kW/550Nm electric motor on the rear axle.
It comes with adaptive LED headlights, augmented reality navigation, head-up display, an OLED MBUX infotainment system with a 12.3-inch customisable driver’s display, AMG Line interior and exterior packages, 21-inch AMG alloy wheels, panoramic sliding sunroof and a Burmester 3D surround sound system.
The EQE 350 4Matic adds an extra motor to the front axle and bumps power up to 215kW/
765Nm, for $149,900.
It also adds Mercedes-Benz’s new “transparent bonnet” camera system that offers up a virtual view under the front of the car, which is useful for tight parking spaces and off-roading. Only one of which the EQE is likely to be tackling with any regularity.
The inevitable AMG version is also on the way, with the EQE 53
4Matic+ SUV landing at $199,900. Packing a hefty 460kW/950Nm, the EQE 53 will rip to 100km/h in just 3.5 seconds and is the first electric SUV to be offered by AMG.
The AMG gets air suspension system and rear-axle steering as standard (optional on the standard models), as well as an AMG exterior package, 22-inch AMG alloy wheels, red-finished brake calipers, an AMG interior with a Nappa leather steering wheel plus heated and cooled front seats.
On the road, it will come as no surprise to hear that the SUVs feel remarkably similar to the EQE sedans, with a seriously wellcomposed feel and excellent road manners.
Like the sedan, the extra weight the big batteries brings along for the ride isn’t really noticeable, and even with the SUV’s higher centreof-gravity the EQE feels welded to the road.
The more powerful 350 is the pick of the standard range, with the extra grunt and added confidence of AWD more than justifying the $10k price difference between the two.
The AMG will no doubt be as ballistic as the sedan and will almost certainly get the same beefed up (and thoroughly excellent) brakes; the other thing the SUV shares with the sedans is a brake pedal that, while light years better than previous Mercedes-Benz electrified offerings, is still somewhat mute.
A rock-solid new EV offering from Mercedes-Benz is expected these days, but the naming and styling decisions are strangely ambiguous. Nothing that takes the shine off the EQE SUV’s impressive abilities mind you, but you might have to be prepared to spend a bit of time trying to explain the difference between small and far away to people who think you have an EQS SUV.