2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV AMG EQE

How does the EQE SUV drive? Our test vehicle was an EQE 350+ SUV fitted with the optional rear-wheel steering. With this option, the EQE SUV is supremely easy to maneuver in tight spots and make U-turns in. This system, coupled with the smooth and responsive propulsion, makes the EQE SUV ideal for city commuting.

At our test track, our 350+ accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. That's adequate speed for routine driving, but you'll for sure want to get the EQE 500 or AMG EQE SUV for a sportier experience. We also found the brake pedal's action to be odd and hard to get used to. Handling around turns is stable but not particularly inspiring.

How comfortable is the EQE SUV? The Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ SUV's front seats are comfortable, though the seat heating and cooling functions are a little slow to get going. We also found the cushioning of the rear seats to be somewhat uncomfortable. On the upside, the vehicle has a pretty smooth ride, especially if you choose the optional adaptive air suspension. It's also very quiet.

The vehicle's climate control system could be better. While it has robust cooling power, we found some quirks to be annoying, such as how the system will blow very warm air before transitioning to cold. The air recirculate button, hidden in the screen's air quality menu, can be initially tricky to locate too.

How’s the interior? Stepping into the cabin of the EQE SUV is a breeze thanks to the generous and wide door openings. The squared-off back doors allow for ample head clearance, and the shorter length of the doors makes them easy to fully open in tight spaces. These qualities aid both in loading children and making entry more comfortable. The front doors also offer a good clearance around the head area. Inside, the flat floor in the back yields maximum rear seat legroom, and the overall feeling of space in the rear seat is generous.

The EQE SUV also offers excellent visibility and a decent user-friendly interface, albeit with a few hiccups. The user interface's menu organization could use some improvement since some key features, like certain drive settings and audio adjustments, are hard to find. Even so, the system is fairly easy to use without you having to resort to looking stuff up in the manual.

How’s the storage? The EQE SUV may not lead the pack for cargo space — offering less than 20 cubic feet of space compared to the BMW iX's 35.5 cubic feet, for example — but we found it to be more than adequate for a midsize SUV. Though it may not be quite as large as the BMW and others, we don't feel like the difference is nearly as large as the numbers suggest. There's some additional underfloor storage space. But, in keeping with Mercedes' traditional design philosophy, it omits a frunk.

The EQE SUV shines brilliantly in its small-item storage offerings, namely in the substantial storage area beneath the floating center console. There are retractable cupholders that can be conveniently hidden away to make space for other items. There's also a wireless phone charger that snugly fits under the touchscreen, where it doesn't take up any premium storage real estate. Another standout storage feature is the center armrest bin, capable of accommodating an impressively large 60-ounce water bottle. Ease of access is further facilitated by the dual-opening doors. Generously sized door pockets provide additional storage, even though we wish they had a felt lining to minimize noise. The EQE SUV also offers ample rear seat space, making it straightforward to install car seats.

Is the EQE SUV a good value? The EQE SUV presents a compelling value proposition. It is priced competitively to other midsize electric SUVs and comes with with plenty of features. The interior exudes an air of elegance, with the leather-wrapped dashboard and meticulously crafted trimmings contributing to an overall ambiance of sophistication and refinement. We'd prefer an alternative to the piano black finish on the center console, but the high-quality materials and attention to detail affirm that this is indeed a luxury vehicle. The solid build quality ensures the absence of any noticeable squeaks or rattles, reinforcing the sense of quality.

Warranty coverage is pretty standard for the segment, with a four-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranty. Mercedes also provides two years of complimentary fast charging (30 minutes per session) at Electrify America, which is a nice bonus.

The EQE SUV certainly leaves an impression of being a luxurious and pragmatic choice for everyday commuting. It doesn't make your heart race with excitement when you're behind the wheel, but it is by no means an unpleasant vehicle to drive. The performance is merely satisfactory, good enough for daily commutes and long drives, but it lacks a certain exhilarating thrill that some competitors offer.

The visual appeal is modest and well executed, but the EQE SUV is much less bold and provocative than, say, the BMW iX. Comparatively, the Audi e-tron still holds a bit more charm, years after its launch, with a certain aesthetic superiority among its rivals. The EQE SUV is a careful execution of understated elegance. While it might not induce gasps of admiration, it has cemented its place as a solid, if not spectacular, player in the electric SUV segment.