Mercedes-Benz has embraced the electric-vehicle market in a big way, rolling out an entirely new lineup of electric cars and SUVs under its EQ sub-brand. The EQE mid-size SUV may just be the best of the bunch, offering a well-equipped and comfortable cabin with decent passenger and cargo room, lively performance, and a variety of trims and powertrains.
Related: 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQE500 SUV Review: The Sweet Spot of the EQ Lineup
Notably, the luxury brand delivers all this without the odd styling quirks of competing models like the BMW iX while providing a more upscale cabin than one found in any Tesla.
Cars.com Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman has spent quality time behind the wheel of every model in the EQ lineup and found some to be better than others. The EQE500 SUV emerges as the best all-around package despite of a few flaws. Tap the link above for Bragman’s expert review; for a quicker look, read on for five things we like about the 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQE500 SUV and three things we don’t.
Things We Like
1. Sweet Spot
The EQE SUV is available in several flavors, including the base rear-wheel-drive 350+ with a single electric motor and the EQE350 with dual-motor all-wheel drive; both vehicles make a total of 288 horsepower. We think our EQE500 test vehicle hits the sweet spot — balancing performance, comfort and value — with two motors, 402 hp and AWD; in this configuration, the EQE SUV returns an estimated 269 miles of range, 10 less than the base variant. For drivers wanting something with a bit more excitement, there’s also the AWD AMG EQE SUV, which cranks out 617 hp.
2. Roomy Interior
The modern and nicely finished interior includes front seats that are large, supportive and comfortable, with enough adjustments to accommodate passengers of various sizes. There’s plenty of headroom front and rear, and rear passengers will find plenty of legroom and a high seating position that helps lend a spacious feel. There’s also more than adequate cargo space behind the rear seat thanks to a more upright, traditional SUV shape rather than the “coupe” fastback profile found with Mercedes’ GLE Coupe or the Tesla Model Y. Folding the rear seats creates even more room.
3. Smooth Operator
Like many EVs, acceleration is smooth and quiet, with our 402-hp EQE500 SUV and its whopping 633 pounds-feet of torque delivering immediate and powerful thrust from any speed. For those who prefer something other than the hushed cabin of this luxury SUV, different powertrain soundtracks can be selected from a menu.
4. Ride and Handling
An available adaptive suspension helps deliver a generally smooth and well-damped ride, and the EQE SUV is surprisingly nimble even though it weighs around 5,600 pounds. This is partly due to rear-wheel steering that allows the rear wheels to turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels at low speeds for increased maneuverability and agility. At higher speeds, the rears move in the same direction as the front wheels for quicker lane changes.
5. Distance Runner
The EQE500 SUV’s 269 miles of range is especially impressive given that not only did it deliver in our testing, it did so at highway speeds. As a rule, EVs are capable of greater range in slower city driving than on the highway, but our EQE SUV went the distance on the highway, even with the air conditioning blasting in warm temperatures.
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Things We Don’t Like
1. Generic Styling
Mercedes-Benz’s conservative approach to EV styling and controls may help make the EQE SUV more livable than some of its competitors. But the generic styling doesn’t project a particularly upscale or distinctive look, and it gives no indication of the advanced technology lurking within. If it weren’t for badging and the big three-pointed star up front, you could be looking at just about any SUV.
2. Visibility
A short sloping hood and large windshield are usually a formula for good visibility, but not in the EQE SUV. The problem is its oversized dash, which is both tall and deep, blocking some of the view forward. While the high seating position helps compared to the lower EQE Sedan, visibility isn’t as good as we’d like.
3. Not Cheap
EVs typically cost more than comparable models with a conventional gas powertrain, and the EQE SUV is no exception. The base EQE350 SUV starts at $79,050 with either RWD or AWD, and the EQE500 SUV 4Matic starts at $90,650 (all prices include destination). With options, our top-trim Pinnacle EQE500 SUV came to $106,600 — a not insignificant sum for a mid-size SUV. AMG versions can top out at around $135,000 when fully optioned up.
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