Mercedes-Benz, a legacy automaker, has rapidly embraced the electric vehicle (EV) revolution. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV sits comfortably in the middle of their electric SUV lineup, between the EQB and the flagship EQS SUV. Competing against established rivals like the Audi E-Tron, BMW iX, and Cadillac Lyriq, the EQE SUV, like the EQS, is derived from its sedan counterpart. Our previous review of the EQE sedan highlighted its balance of luxury and practicality, setting a high bar for the SUV version.
Unlike the EQE sedan, the EQE SUV’s Alabama manufacturing plant, coupled with a base price of $79,050, positions it for potential federal tax credit eligibility under current regulations. This base price gets you the EQE 350 SUV, available in either single-motor rear-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive configurations (we tested the latter). Premium, Exclusive, and Pinnacle trim levels, along with a more powerful EQE 500 dual-motor model, are also available at launch, with an AMG performance variant expected in the future.
Front three quarter view of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Design and Interior: A Familiar Look
The EQE SUV inherits the EQS SUV’s design language, which is a mixed blessing. Their near-identical appearance, differentiated mainly by size, might leave EQS SUV owners feeling a bit shortchanged. Both designs lack a distinct visual identity. While the EQE and EQS sedans adopted a polarizing lozenge-like profile, at least they were distinctive. These SUV models, however, lack a clear electric signature, resembling conventional SUV designs from the 1990s.
Aerodynamics dictated the design choices, resulting in an impressive 0.25 drag coefficient, minimizing energy consumption. Passenger space remains unaffected, with headroom and legroom comparable to competitors. While the EQE SUV forgoes the EQS SUV’s third-row seating, it surprisingly offers less cargo space than similarly sized two-row luxury electric SUVs. Its 14.0 cubic feet with the rear seats up pales in comparison to the Cadillac Lyriq, and even with the seats folded down, the 55.0 cubic feet capacity falls short of the BMW iX’s 77.9 cubic feet.
The EQE SUV’s interior, however, offers a compelling redemption. Sharing elements with the EQS SUV and EQ sedans, the cabin delivers a luxurious experience. Metallic trim accents and ambient lighting create a sophisticated ambiance. While our European test cars featured the impressive Hyperscreen, even the standard freestanding instrument cluster, angled central touchscreen, and sleek dashboard create a stylish impression.
The EQE SUV offers a full suite of Mercedes-Benz amenities, including massaging front seats and a fragrance atomizer. A Burmester 3D sound system with Dolby Atmos comes standard, and while leather upholstery is optional, the standard leatherette offers a vegan-friendly alternative.
Hyperscreen display in the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Technology and Driver Assistance: Cutting-Edge Features
The standard MBUX infotainment system includes a 12.8-inch central touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and natural language voice control. Wireless phone charging is also standard, with a head-up display available as an option.
The “Zero Layer” interface prioritizes frequently used functions on tiles overlaid on the navigation map, minimizing menu navigation. While effective for common tasks, certain settings still require menu digging. The impressive graphics are occasionally undermined by excessive map zoom-out. Augmented reality navigation, overlaying directional arrows onto a live camera feed, is also available.
The “Hey Mercedes” voice assistant, responsive to natural language commands, remains a standout feature, outperforming many rivals. The Dolby Atmos audio system, particularly suited to the quiet EV cabin, enhances the enjoyment of integrated music services like Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Music.
While not yet confirmed for the U.S. market, the optional Hyperscreen, featuring a 56-inch continuous glass surface incorporating three displays, including a front passenger touchscreen, adds a new dimension to in-car entertainment. The Zync integration enables video streaming for passengers while the vehicle is in motion.
Mercedes offers a comprehensive range of driver-assist features, but many are optional. Standard features include forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. The optional Driver Assistance Package adds adaptive cruise control, active lane keeping, and Pre-Safe Plus, a suite of features designed to mitigate injuries in a collision.
Front passenger screen in the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Driving Experience: Smooth and Refined
The EQE SUV offers three powertrain options. The base EQE 350+ features a single rear motor producing 288 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque. The all-wheel-drive EQE 350 4Matic adds a front motor, increasing torque to 564 lb-ft. The dual-motor EQE 500 4Matic delivers 402 hp and 633 lb-ft of torque. All models share a 90.6-kWh battery pack.
Mercedes claims a 0-60 mph time of 6.3 seconds for the rear-wheel-drive EQE 350+, with a negligible 0.1-second improvement for the all-wheel-drive 4Matic version. The EQE 500 4Matic achieves a more respectable 4.6 seconds. All versions have a top speed electronically limited to 130 mph.
While these figures aren’t class-leading, the EQE SUV’s instant torque delivery provides a satisfying driving experience. Our test car, an EQE 350 4Matic equipped with optional air suspension and rear-axle steering, demonstrated comfortable straight-line acceleration. The air suspension provided a plush ride, while the rear-axle steering, albeit less impactful than anticipated, contributed to manageable handling. Overall, the driving experience was competent but not particularly exhilarating.
Rear badge on the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Range, Charging, and Safety
For maximum range, the single-motor rear-wheel-drive EQE 350+ offers an EPA-estimated 279 miles. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive EQE 350 4Matic and EQE 500 4Matic achieve 253 miles and 269 miles, respectively. These figures fall short of the BMW iX and Cadillac Lyriq, both exceeding 300 miles in certain configurations.
Standard 170-kW DC fast charging replenishes the battery from 10% to 80% in a claimed 32 minutes, while Level 2 AC charging requires 9.5 hours for a 10% to 100% charge. Mercedes’ planned proprietary charging network, slated for later this decade, could potentially enhance the public charging experience.
Crash-test ratings are currently unavailable. The EQE SUV carries the same warranty as other Mercedes EQ EVs: a four-year/50,000-mile new-vehicle warranty and a 10-year/155,000-mile battery warranty.
Rear three quarter view of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Configuration Considerations and Conclusion
The EQE SUV’s base price strategically positions it below the $80,000 threshold for federal tax credits (subject to battery sourcing requirements), and Mercedes doesn’t impose a premium for all-wheel drive. With comparable horsepower and acceleration, choosing between the rear-wheel-drive EQE 350+ and the all-wheel-drive EQE 350 4Matic becomes a trade-off between range and all-weather capability.
However, the base Premium trim lacks some desirable features. While including a Burmester audio system, ambient lighting, and a surround-view camera, it omits leather upholstery. The EQE 500 4Matic includes leather seats and rear-axle steering but starts at a higher $90,650. The mid-tier Exclusive trim adds a full suite of driver-assist features and augmented reality navigation. The top Pinnacle trim includes further enhancements like a 100-watt USB-C package, four-zone climate control, and a head-up display.
The EQE 350+ Exclusive, offering 279 miles of range and a comprehensive set of features, represents a compelling value proposition at $81,150, even without all-wheel drive. This compares favorably to the BMW iX, although the BMW boasts greater range and a more engaging driving experience. The Cadillac Lyriq offers a significant price advantage and 312 miles of range in single-motor rear-wheel-drive form, but availability remains a challenge.
The EQE SUV matches its rivals in luxury but falls short in key areas. The focus on aerodynamic efficiency compromised range and resulted in a rather bland design. It also lacks the driving dynamics of its competitors. Its competitive pricing and feature set render the EQS SUV somewhat redundant. While this may appeal to budget-conscious Mercedes enthusiasts, it likely wasn’t the intended outcome.
