2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 4Matic SUV review

Plain on the outside but gorgeous on the inside, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV joins the lineup of the company’s electrified cars, landing in between the EQB and EQS in terms of price and size. Not to be confused with its sedan alter ego, the EQE SUV is essentially the midsize crossover version of the Mercedes EVs. With seating for up to five people, a respectable electric range, in-cabin luxuries and all the latest tech features (and then some), it’s worth checking out if you’re in the market for a luxury EV. Shop Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV models.

Price and value 

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV comes in three different trims with an MSRP range of $77,900 for the base-level EQE 350+ SUV to $89,500 for the EQE 500 4matic SUV. Some of the major differences among the different trim levels are noted below. 

EQE 350+ SUV: $77,900  See listings

• Single electric motor

• 288 horsepower

• 417 pound-feet of torque

• Single-speed automatic transmission

• 14-55 cubic feet of cargo capacity

• Zero to 60 mph acceleration in 6.3 seconds

• 279-mile range

EQE 350 4Matic SUV: $77,900  See listings

• Same features as EQE 350+ 

• 288 horsepower

• 564 pound-feet of torque

• All-wheel drive

• Dual electric motor

• Zero to 60 mph acceleration in 6.2 seconds

• 253-mile range

EQE 500 4Matic SUV: $89,500  See listings

• All-wheel drive

• Dual electric motor

• 402 horsepower

• 633 pound-feet of torque

• Zero to 60 mph acceleration in 4.6 seconds

• 20-inch alloy wheels

• Leather upholstery 

• 269-mile range

Each of these is available in three different trim packages: Premium, Exclusive and Pinnacle. Premium is the base trim, but it still offers standard luxuries such as surround sound, 64-color ambient lighting, navigation and a panoramic roof. Exclusive adds a few enhancements like augmented reality for navigation and an advanced suite of driver assists. The Pinnacle package bumps things up to four-zone climate control with fragrance and ionization, a Head-Up display and digital light headlamps.

Our tester was the EQE 500 with the Exclusive Trim Level Package, but it also came with an added Driver Assistance Package, Digital Light Package, Acoustic Comfort Package, air suspension and a few other amenities that brought it up to $98,040. That price makes it fully out of reach for someone with my budget, but I don’t feel like Mercedes is asking too much for what this EV offers. 

Performance 

Immediately after pulling the Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 out of our driveway and taking it for a spin around the block, we could tell that this was a high-quality ride. It glided effortlessly around corners and swallowed up the bumps and divots in the road to the point where we hardly noticed them. It’s also pretty fun to punch off the line.

Engine and drivetrain

The dual electric motor on the EQE 500 puts out an impressive 402 horsepower and 633 pound-feet of torque, which you definitely feel when you mash the accelerator. The all-wheel drive system certainly contributed to that feeling of smooth control around town or on the freeway. I would love to see how this thing performs in the Utah snow!

Fuel economy 

As a fully-electric vehicle, the EPA gives the EQE 500 an 89 mpg-equivalent rating for fuel economy. In the city it's 91 and for the highway it’s 86. On a fully-charged battery, the window sticker says you can expect about 269 miles of driving range, though many other reviews have reported getting above 300. Having driven this car in the heat of the summer, we definitely cranked the air conditioning, so our real-world range was closer to 269. 

Acceleration and handling 

The EQE 500 is the zippiest of the electric SUV set (at least until that AMG EQE SUV hits the scene later this year). Mercedes-Benz puts the zero to 60 mph acceleration at 4.6 seconds. We never timed it, but Car and Driver found it could get up to 60 in as little as 4.0 seconds, so this seems to be another area where it’s slightly underrated. 

Braking

You can set the regenerative braking to be stronger or lighter as you wish. But be aware — on the max level, the force was so strong that we almost had to push the gas to keep moving. Shop Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV models.

Interior comfort and convenience 

The interior is an area where I believe the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV deserves top marks. Talk about pretty! Our tester’s Biscaya Blue leather accents complimented the Neva Grey interior nicely and the 64-color ambient lighting gave this car a spa-like vibe. 

Seats 

The seats were comfortable, beautiful and decently spacious, but if I had one complaint it’s that this $98k car was equipped with just heated seats up front. No ventilation and no heat or ventilation in the back. Keeping your buns cool up front will cost you an additional $450. Heated rear seats are only available in the $1,500 Winter Package (which also adds a heated steering wheel, heated windshield and heated windshield washers). Not sure why it’s not a standard feature at this price range, but I think it should be!

Climate control 

Missing seat ventilation aside, the climate control system worked well and didn’t make us wait too long before feeling its effects. If you want maximum pampering, four-zone climate control and an air purifier is available on the Pinnacle trim package. 

Cargo space and cabin storage 

If your hauling needs are modest, you’ll be happy with the EQE SUV’s cargo space. With the seats straight up in the back, you get a decent 20 cubic feet of cargo space. Fold them down and that goes to 59 cubic feet. In terms of cabin storage, the center console cubby and the storage area underneath are the best places for your accessories, though you can retract your center console cup holders if you need more stowing space. 

Infotainment system 

The EQE SUV is certainly not lacking in fancy tech. You get the MBUX multimedia system with a 12.8-inch touch screen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging and a Burmester 3D surround sound system. If the screen and apps seem too overwhelming, you can always use the voice control to adjust certain settings. You can tell your Mercedes to turn off the rear light, roll down the window, warm up your feet — your wish is its command. It’s like having an in-car personal assistant. Shop Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV models.

Exterior appearance and functionality 

As Christian Bale as Ken Miles put it in the “Ford vs. Ferrari” movie, “If this were a beauty pageant, we just lost.” Mercedes-Benz has long been associated with high class and luxury, with most of their vehicles being head-turners in the best sense. As impressive as the interior was, I was pretty underwhelmed by how the EQE SUV looked on the outside. The company says the car’s muted outward shape and appearance are all for the sake of aerodynamics and increasing the electric range. This may be true, but I still think it could’ve been a little easier on the eyes.

Wheels 

The term “function over form” comes to mind when you’re looking at the EQE 500 SUV’s wheels. Our tester came with the 20-inch AMG 5-spoke wheels with “matte gray aero elements,” which is code for “homely but efficient.” Personally, I’m vain enough to want to switch to the better-looking 21-inch AMG multispoke wheels with black accents. It’s a visual improvement — just know that it’ll cost you $1,100.

Lights and turn signals 

The LED headlights connect with a light bar in the front to provide ample illumination at night. But the most interesting aspect of these lights is an option on the infotainment system that allows them to project different images on the road in front of you. It may not be totally necessary, but it’s entertaining and unique. 

Front and rear windshield 

Our EQE 500 SUV came with the Acoustic Comfort Package, so our rides were impressively quiet and serene. Visibility out the front was fine, but the view is a bit limited out the back. A digital rearview mirror would have really come in handy.

Cameras and side mirrors 

Where visibility was limited through the rear windshield, the 360-degree camera system helped cover for that minor flaw. The side mirrors are heated and automatically fold in, which is always a nice perk. Shop Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV models.

Safety 

The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV comes with a generous assortment of standard safety features. These include:

• Blind spot assist

• Active lane keeping assist

• Active brake assist

• Attention Assist

• 360 vehicle protection with parking damage detection

• Antitheft alarm system

• Active parking assist with surround view system

Awards and ratings 

As of the time of this writing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have not yet rated the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.

Final impression 

I’m calling the EQE SUV a “geode of luxury” because it’s got a humble outer casing that contains a bunch of fancy features on the inside. As the pool of electric vehicles expands, it’s getting more difficult for cars to set themselves apart from the pack, but this one is bound to impress. Shop Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV models.

FAQs 

Which Mercedes-Benz EQE trim should you buy?

This depends on your priorities. If you want to maximize your electric range, the base-level EQE 350+ has the best numbers at 279 miles of range. The next closest is the EQE 500 with 269 miles, which may feel like a marginal difference to some. But if you want a trim with all-wheel drive, you need to get the EQE 350 or EQE 500. The EQE 350 gets 253 miles of electric range, which is 16 miles less than the EQE 500. 

How does the EQE compare to the EQB and EQS?

The EQE, EQB and EQS are all fully-electric SUVs (the EQE and EQS also have sedan options). The EQB seats between five and seven passengers and starts at $52,750, making it the most affordable of the three. Its electric range is 221–245 miles and it makes 188–288 horsepower, depending on the trim. The EQE is a more luxurious option that seats five and starts at $77,900. Its electric range is 253–269 miles and it makes 288–402 horsepower, depending on the trim. Finally, the EQS seats seven and starts at $104,400. Its electric range is 285–305 miles and it makes 355–536 horsepower, depending on the trim. 

How long does it take to charge the EQE? 

With a regular 220-volt charger at home, it will take approximately 10.5 hours to charge. If you’re using a DC fast charger, it can go from 10–80% in about 32 minutes, Mercedes says.

Want to go for a test drive? Check out all of the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUVs for sale on KSL Cars.

*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.