The EQE SUV hits dealers in 2023 and the AMG version in 2024. It has an impressive suite of features and a spaceship-like dash, but pricing and range is yet to be confirmed. By Emily Dreibelbis

Mercedes took the wraps off a new all-electric SUV this week, the 2023 EQE. The high-performance variant from the legendary Mercedes-AMG racing brand will hit dealers in 2024.

You can watch the full announcement below, which was livestreamed at the start of the Paris Auto Show, which runs through Oct. 23.

The Basics: Price, Range, and Charging

Pricing was not announced, though it will likely fall between the German automaker’s two current electric vehicles, the EQB sedan ($54,500) and the EQS SUV ($104,400). It will compete with the BMW iX(Opens in a new window) and Polestar 3,

both SUVs that start around $84,000.

EQE SUV (Credit: Mercedes)

A sub-$80,000 price tag would give the vehicle a chance at qualifying for the $7,500 federal tax credit. US-based manufacturing is another requirement, which the EQE will satisfy by being built in an existing Alabama plant. Mercedes will also need to clarify battery-production details.

The livestream proclaimed a robust range of 342 miles (550km). The press release(Opens in a new window) says this “can be expected for European vehicles.” It did not specify US range and noted that “differences between the stated figures and the official figures are possible.” The AMG version has a slightly lower range of 268-300 miles (431 to 488km).

The battery performs about the same as other vehicles in its class, charging from 10% to 80% in 32 minutes on a typical DC fast charger, like those found on major highways. At-home charging will take several hours more to achieve the same, which is typical for level two charging.

Mercedes me Charge app. (Credit: Mercedes)

Mercedes offers the proprietary me Charge app(Opens in a new window), which is integrated with over 60,000 public charging stations from ChargePoint, Electrify America, and EVgo.

Mercedes battery management software allows for over-the-air (OTA) updates to continuously improve its performance throughout the lifetime of the vehicle. The battery will have a warranty of 10 years or 155,000 miles, and will be manufactured with a CO2-neutral production method. Mercedes says it takes the used batteries from end-of-life vehicles and connects them to the grid as “stationary energy storage devices.”

Exterior Design

(Credit: Mercedes)

The vehicle has a sporty, somewhat rounded look. Mercedes designed it to be a more utility version of its EQE Sedan—more spacious inside yet shorter from end to end than the EQE while still having a mid-sized trunk at 18.4 cubic feet. It has elongated tail lights and 22-inch alloy wheels.

(Credit: Merecedes)

Interior Features

“I am thrilled by the futuristic architecture of the interior with the MBUX Hyperscreen,” said Dr. Oliver Röcker, chief engineer of the EQE, when asked about his favorite feature. The wide screen displays different features for the driver and the passenger.

While the driver may be viewing the speed or charging levels, the passenger can choose a custom wallpaper display or even “watch TV during a journey…without distracting the driver.”

The dash of the EQE electric SUV on a European model. (Credit: Mercedes)

The driver’s side display also shows the vehicle’s self-driving activities, such as brake assist, lane keeping assist, parking, and a panoramic camera view of the surroundings. The premium seats have over 3 feet of headroom, and there are ambient lighting features throughout.

The EQE European model features two rows of seats. (Credit: Mercedes)

The car has a Dolby sound system, as well as voice-enabled commands by saying things like, “Hey, Mercedes, navigate to home.”

Regular vs. AMG Performance Differences

Although AMG boasts a long history(Opens in a new window) as a racing engine company famous for its engines, the move to all-electric means the EQE will have no engine at all since it runs on battery power. This will be the first electric SUV for Mercedes-AMG.

Back of car with red tail lights and AMG symbol showing prominently.
The back of the AMG EQE. (Credit: AMG)
Both the non-AMG and AMG versions of the EQE boast impressive performance features, which vary based on the trim.

The non-AMG version will come with three trims: 350+, 350 4Matic, and 500 4Matic. They go from 0 to 60mph in 6.3, 6.2, and 4.6 seconds, respectively, Car & Driver reports(Opens in a new window). It takes the AMG EQE just 3.5 seconds.

Interior of the AMG EQE (Credit: Mercedes)

The base 350+ model has a single motor with 277 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque, while the top trim, the 500 4Matic, has two motors, giving it 536 horsepower and 633 pound-feet of torque.

The AMG version, which Mercedes built to have “performance genes,” comes out a year later in 2024. It will also have two versions(Opens in a new window): the EQE 43 4MATIC and “even sportier” EQE 53 4MATIC+.

AMG EQE (Credit: Mercedes)

More details will come on these two models closer to launch, but for now Mercedes confirmed the two options will have more oomph than the mainline EQE with 476hp and 687hp, and torque ranging from 633 to 738 pound-feet.

Since electric vehicles are silent, Mercedes join other car luxury brands by developing custom drive sounds to reproduce the audible feedback of a gas engine revving. But if you get too carried away, a high-performance braking system can back you up.

source:https://www.pcmag.com/news/mercedes-expands-electric-suv-lineup-with-eqe-plus-sportier-amg-version