2023 EQE is the Goldilocks of Mercedes-Benz’s EV line
No matter what your opinion of Elon Musk, his dogged determination to position Tesla as the leading purveyor of electric vehicles, or EVs, has successfully catapulted the United States back to the top of the automotive world. The company’s superiority in EVs is proven by the fact that everyone wants to beat them, including MercedesBenz, the company that created and sold the world’s first automobile powered by an internal combustion engine in 1886.
Compounding their EV envy is that the American upstart not only opened a factory in Germany, but now outsells Mercedes-Benz in the company’s homeland, and has become the top-selling luxury brand in the United States, the world’s second-largest car market.
Mercedes-Benz’s response is its new line of EVs, dubbed EQ. The automaker has already released the EQS sedan and SUV, the S-Class of its EV line. Now comes the 2023 EQE sedan, sitting one notch below them as an E-Class-level EV. It mimics the look of the EQS sedan, wearing the same jelly bean look that doesn’t suggest a premium sedan at first glance. Its sleek shape suggests that it’s a hatchback. Yet it’s a notchback, wearing an artfully arched greenhouse reminiscent of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLS, a landmark sedan that transformed sedan design language.
Inside, the cabin inherits much from its S- and E-Class siblings, including its ambient lighting. As you’d expect, a large 12.8-inch touchscreen dominates the center of the instrument panel, and features the latest version of Mercedes-Benz’s infotainment software.
The EQE is offered in EQE 350 trim with or without 4Matic all-wheel drive, and in EQE 500 4Matic trim.
All use the same 90.6-kWh battery pack. It powers a single motor on the 350, or dual motors on 4Matic models. Initially, MercedesBenz is offering the EQE 350 4Matic, which generates
288 horsepower and 564 pound-feet of torque, enough to whisk the 5,434-pound 4Matic-equipped test car to 60 mph in six seconds. The EQE 500 accomplishes that 0-60 mph run in 4.5 seconds, thanks to its 402 horsepower and 633 pound-feet of torque. Mercedes-Benz says that the EQE can recharged to 80% in 32 minutes using a DC Fast Charger, or fully recharge in 9.5 hours using a 240-volt outlet. An official EPA rating is not yet available.
If there are a lot of corners where you reside, you’ll find the EQE to be a sportier proposition than its upsized siblings. As with any vehicle employing adaptive air suspension, the EQE handles remarkably well, able to provide a cloud-like ride or firmer, dynamic handling at the touch of a button. Handling inspires confidence, as there’s little body roll or undue undulations over bumps. But as in almost any new vehicle, you won’t get much in the way of road feel either. But at least the steering is accurate and wellweighted. Acceleration is about what you’d expect, but it’s far from the Ludicrous Mode offered by Tesla.
In fact, there’s nothing ludicrous about this car; it’s the consummate MercedesBenz EV. There’s a studied serious stateliness to the EQE 350 4Matic’s bearing. It’s not too fast, not too slow. Not too firm, not too soft. It’s elegantly confident, proving to be just right. Consider it the Goldilocks of the EQE lineup.