The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE electric SUV maintains its price but drops the 215kW 350 model. The entire lineup now consists of the 300kW 500 model. The entry-level version is fully equipped. The top model, EQE 500 4MATIC flagship, adds the AIRMATIC air suspension system. This system can raise the vehicle by 25mm based on road conditions. It also features standard 10° rear-wheel steering, resulting in a turning radius of just 10.5 meters. Additionally, the entire lineup now includes velvet floor mats, 5G communication technology, and a UWB digital key. Users can unlock and start the vehicle with an authorized digital device. The 2024 EQE electric SUV shares the same exterior and interior as the 2023 model. This review focuses on its range performance and driving experience. We tested the EQE electric SUV 500 4MATIC luxury version. The route ran from downtown Tianjin to Beijing Yizhuang, mostly on highways with a speed limit of 110 km/h. This route poses a significant challenge for electric vehicles.
The Mercedes EQE electric SUV features a 96.1 kWh lithium-ion battery. It offers a range of 609 km on a full charge. Before departure, the battery shows 97% charge, with a displayed maximum range of 606 km. The vehicle operates in “C” comfort mode, with energy recovery set to D auto and the air conditioning at 22°C. It carries two passengers and some luggage. On the highway, the car maintains speed limits while frequently accelerating to overtake slower vehicles. The lowest displayed energy consumption is 15.9 kWh/100 km. After driving 111 km, the displayed energy consumption is 18.0 kWh/100 km, close to Mercedes’ claimed 17 kWh/100 km. The trip used 22% of the battery for 111 km. This suggests a full charge could reach around 505 km under similar conditions. For a 2.6-ton mid-large electric SUV, this energy consumption is impressive, comparable to many other mid-large sedans. Additionally, the vehicle provides two remaining range estimates. The lower estimate reflects more aggressive driving, while the higher one is for smoother driving. The car continuously learns your driving style and adjusts the remaining range calculation based on road conditions.
Why is it so energy-efficient? The Mercedes EQE electric SUV develops on the EVA electric platform. Its electric drive achieves 94% efficiency. It uses every kilowatt-hour effectively. The front motor can disconnect from the axle in 240 milliseconds. This feature extends the coasting distance and total range. The key lies in its aerodynamic design. The curved body, low-drag wheels, closed grille, and smoother, narrower gaps reduce drag. The overall drag coefficient is only 0.25 Cd. This design boosts the range even further.
The Mercedes EQE electric SUV offers four energy recovery modes: D-, D, D+, and D auto. The most interesting mode is the smart energy recovery mode. It uses environmental sensing hardware to assess road conditions ahead. It automatically adjusts the energy recovery strength. For example, if the road is clear and you release the accelerator, it switches to D+ coasting mode. Since electric vehicles lack engine braking, the speed decreases slowly, allowing for long coasting distances. When traffic is congested, it shifts to D- or D recovery to slow down promptly. If you’re unsure which mode to choose, D auto is the simplest option. It makes reliable judgments, ensuring comfort while recharging the battery.
The Mercedes EQE electric SUV features L2 driving assistance. It includes ACC adaptive cruise control and lane keeping. This setup significantly reduces fatigue during long highway drives. The SUV also has a function for changing lanes. When the driver toggles the steering lever, the system checks for safety. If it is safe, the vehicle changes lanes and accelerates to the set cruise speed. This feature adds convenience.
Let’s talk about the driving experience. The Mercedes EQE electric SUV features dual motors that deliver a total output of 300 kW and 858 N·m of torque. In E Economy mode, it limits motor power. In C Comfort and S Sport modes, it performs like a beast. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds. When it gets aggressive, it excites the blood. Plus, it can deliver full power from 10% to 100% battery.
This large SUV shows minimal nose lift and dive during rapid acceleration and braking. Two factors contribute to this. First, the EVA electric platform positions the wheels closer to the body corners. This design reduces lift and dive. Second, Mercedes has extensive experience in suspension design, providing excellent support. Many electric SUVs I tested, with around five seconds of acceleration, exhibited significant lift and dive, causing discomfort for passengers.
The Mercedes EQE electric SUV features moderate suspension tuning. It balances comfort with strong support. It offers enough comfort for family use and allows for occasional spirited driving. The steering is precise, and it retains some road feel. Drivers can communicate better with the vehicle. In terms of NVH, wind noise is nearly absent at high speeds. Only slight tire noise is present, but it is not bothersome. We also briefly tested the flagship model with air springs. It filters road vibrations more thoroughly and focuses more on comfort.
The design of the Mercedes-Benz EQE electric SUV exudes understated elegance. It inherits the unique design language of the EQ family. The closed front grille complements the three-pointed star emblem. The dynamic EQ design showcases effortless beauty. Customers can opt for the “Meteor Shower” intelligent digital headlights, which provide up to 2.6 million lighting pixels.
The vehicle features a “bow-shaped” design. This design reduces wind resistance and creates smooth, dynamic lines. The wheelbase measures 3030mm. The vehicle dimensions are 4880mm in length, 2032mm in width, and 1679mm in height.
The rear of the Mercedes EQE electric SUV is smooth and full. It features a 3D spiral tail light that runs across the back. Inside, it has four spirals. If you see five spirals, it’s the bigger brother—the Mercedes EQS electric SUV.
The interior of the Mercedes EQE electric SUV resembles a yacht. It looks elegant and dignified. The standard model features a 12.8-inch central control screen. This screen integrates the latest MBUX smart human-computer interaction system. It uses an 8-core CPU, 24GB of storage, and 46.4GB of memory bandwidth per second. The top model includes a super screen made of three displays.
MBUX uses a zero-level menu. It places common functions like air conditioning, music, and navigation on the interface. It also retains physical buttons for driving modes, vehicle settings, and volume control. This makes usage more convenient.
Off-road mode and a transparent chassis are useful for an SUV. They help you understand the vehicle’s environment and status in poor visibility conditions.
Mercedes’ HUD stands out. It has a large area and clear display. Most importantly, it shows a wealth of information. The projected visual distance is long, preventing eye fatigue during extended use. If you dislike the HUD, you can turn it off using voice control. Mercedes’ “mind-reading voice assistant” supports natural language commands and offers many vehicle settings. The design is well-localized. This year, Mercedes will launch its largest OTA upgrade. The “mind-reading voice assistant” will better understand and execute continuous commands. The second-generation MBUX system will respond 31% faster than before. For details on seating space, click the link below: >>>>>> The Luxurious Path of Power: Test Drive the Mercedes EQE SUV Mercedes’ standards in vehicle manufacturing.
During this event, we visited the Mercedes-Benz China R&D Center in Beijing. We examined the Mercedes EQE electric SUV. We also learned about Mercedes’ strict manufacturing standards.
The Mercedes EQE electric SUV features VSG acoustic glass and a comprehensive acoustic package to reduce noise. It prioritizes noise balance tuning. At Mercedes, balanced noise matters more than simply lowering decibel levels. Annoying low-frequency noise mainly comes from the body and chassis structure, making it hard to improve later. Mercedes conducted extensive simulation tests during the early vehicle development phase to refine the body and chassis design, effectively suppressing low-frequency noise. For SUVs, the rear tailgate is a major source of low-frequency noise. Higher body rigidity prevents this noise. The Mercedes EQE electric SUV has a torsional rigidity of 45800 Nm/°.
Mercedes-Benz was among the first car brands in China to introduce sunlight simulators. They invested heavily to replicate real customer environments. This effort creates a cabin experience that meets Mercedes-Benz’s standards for comfort and energy efficiency. The sunlight simulator can mimic high temperatures of 50°C, simulate 16 hours of sunlight like in Altay, and achieve 95% relative humidity. Inside the car, temperatures can reach 70°C. The high-intensity tests from the sunlight simulator accurately assess the EQE electric SUV’s air conditioning comfort, energy efficiency, and the insulation performance of the sunroof and windshield.
This is where Mercedes measures the official range of its electric vehicles. Notably, the company has strict standards for electromagnetic radiation, which concerns many users. Each component of the three electric systems undergoes the same EMC testing. Mercedes’ testing standards exceed national requirements.
After over 130 years of experience, Mercedes developed the “Mercedes-Benz Driving Characteristics.” This system defines standards for chassis across five dimensions: comfort, safety, driving confidence, sportiness, and precision. It quantifies subjective perceptions into over 130 objective KPI metrics. The system uses 40 sensors to measure data across more than 100 directions. Mercedes designs its suspension for balance. A purely soft suspension loses road feel, which can cause discomfort for passengers. The key to comfort lies in adapting the suspension to different road conditions—soft when needed, firm when required. This approach explains why the Mercedes EQE electric SUV offers a well-balanced suspension. It maintains comfort while providing necessary support.
The stars race swiftly. The electric drive still moves forward.