Mercedes-Benz continues the electric transformation of its range with the EQE SUV, an upmarket electric SUV due in Australia later this year at a starting price around $160,000.
Nine new models in three-and-a-half years.
That’s the current balance of Mercedes-Benz’s €40 billion ($AU65 billion) electric car offensive, which aims to see the German carmaker provide an electric-powered alternative to each of its traditional internal combustion engine models by 2025.
It’s a bold transformation. But with 117,800 electric car sales in 2022 (including the Smart brand), the foundations for an all-electric future are in place.
New to the line-up is the EQE SUV – a model Mercedes-Benz describes as an electric alternative to the recently facelifted GLE SUV.
Set for a start to Australian sales during the third quarter of 2023, the new five-seater is based on Mercedes-Benz’s Electric Vehicle Architecture (EVA) platform – a skateboard-style structure that also underpins the EQS saloon, EQE saloon, and EQS SUV.
As the single-motor rear-wheel-drive EQE350+ with 215kW, it receives a 90.6kWh lithium-ion battery and an official range of between 484km and 551km on the WLTP test procedure.
The EQE SUV is aiming at a broad portion of the luxury electric car market, with five different models in both standard and AMG guises in the launch line-up.
At the other end of the range, the dual-motor four-wheel-drive EQE53 4Matic+ from Mercedes-Benz’s AMG performance car division boasts 460kW and a claimed 0–100km/h time of just 3.5sec.
Other models include the 180kW EQE300, 215kW EQE350 4Matic, 300kW EQE500 4Matic and 350kW EQE43 4Matic SUV – all targeting the likes of the recently facelifted Audi Q8 E-Tron, BMW iX and Tesla Model X.
We’re yet to receive official word on which EQE SUV models are planned for Australia, though indications are the EQE350 4Matic and EQ53 4Matic+ will underpin local sales, with prices set to start at around $160,000.
This would position it some $21,000 above the EQC SUV, production of which is set to cease later this year in preparation for an all-new model based on the EVA platform in 2025.
There are no surprises in the styling of Mercedes-Benz’s latest electric model. The EQE SUV adopts the same design lineage seen on the larger EQS SUV.
Distinguishing features include a signature black panel grille, which comes in either standard black or with an optional three-pointed star pattern.
There are also uniquely styled headlamps and a new-look bonnet with differing shut lines to those seen on the larger EQS SUV.
Further back, the EQE SUV receives large wheelhouses, a 10-window glasshouse (industry-speak for the five individual panes of glass on each side of the car), a subtly sloping roof line, and sloping tailgate.
Along with the standard look, there are two AMG Line styling packages as well as a wide choice of wheels ranging from 19 up to 22 inches in diameter. Options include a pair of running boards underneath the doors.
With a claimed drag co-efficient of 0.25, it is Mercedes-Benz’s most aerodynamically efficient SUV model to date. New wind-cheating developments include patented elements within the front wheelhouses to reduce turbulence at speed, as well as a flat underbody with various tuning vanes to smooth airflow towards the rear.
At 4863mm in length, 1849mm in width and 1686mm in height, the EQE SUV is 262mm shorter, 19mm narrower and 32mm lower than the EQS SUV. It also uses a wheelbase that is 180mm shorter than that of its more opulent electric-powered sibling at 3030mm.
The door apertures are all generously dimensioned, allowing easy and straightforward access to the interior. Inside, the cabin is very similar in style to that of the EQE saloon. Most materials are fittingly upmarket in feel, quality and ambience too.
Buyers get to choose between two dashboard layouts: the standard unit houses separate 12.3-inch instrument and 12.8-inch portrait-style infotainment displays. Mercedes-Benz’s 56-inch-wide ‘Hyperscreen’, which now supports up to three displays, including 12.3-inch instrument, 14.4-inch infotainment and 12.3-inch passenger displays, is available as a high-cost option.
The passenger display supports gaming and streaming video via the internet. It can be operated on the run, but only for viewing by the front seat passenger. A camera continuously monitors the eye movement of the driver; when he or she attempts to view the passenger display, the content is hidden.
The multi-function steering wheel is loaded with a lot of different controls – too many and too varied to be truly intuitive. The front seats are supremely comfortable with firm but supportive qualities that help to make the EQE SUV very comfortable over longer distances.
A flat floor structure combines with the long wheelbase to provide a good deal of accommodation, particularly in the rear, where passengers benefit from a good deal more leg, head and shoulder room than the EQC SUV.
At a nominal 520L, the boot offers 20L more luggage space than the EQC SUV underneath the cargo blind. An adjustable rear backrest can be set in a more upright position to liberate an additional 60L. With the 40:20:40-configured rear seats folded away, this extends to 1675L. But with the rear electric motor housed within the rear axle, the loading lip is quite high. On the plus side, the boot is broad and flat.
By comparison, the GLE SUV offers a nominal 630L, extending to 2055L, in petrol and diesel models.
Over-the-air connectivity allows the updating of software and functions.
Standard driving assistant systems include an updated version of Mercedes-Benz’s Attention Assist, together with Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist as well as a Parking Package with a reversing camera and Speed Limit Assist – the latter programmed to monitor speed limit signage and sound a warning when you are driving too fast, or adjust the speed limiter to match.
It will be a while before we get to drive the AMG versions of the new EQE SUV, but it is the EQE350 4Matic that represents the sweet spot in the standard line-up. Along with 215kW, its dual electric motors also deliver a combined 765Nm of torque.
It’s all sent through a single-speed, fixed-ratio gearbox on each motor with individual drive to each wheel via Mercedes-Benz’s Intelligent Torque Shift function, which distributes the drive between the front and rear motors. It monitors traction 160 times per second and, at maximum power, sends two-thirds of the torque to the rear wheels and one-third to the front, for rear-biased drive qualities.
There are four driving modes, Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual, as well as five different levels of energy recuperation – the latter controlled by steering-wheel-mounted paddles.
With a kerb weight of 2430kg, the performance is strong but hardly overwhelming. The instant torque does imbue the new SUV with quite abrupt step-off and initial acceleration, but it trails off quite markedly as rolling and aerodynamic forces come into play at higher speeds. Mercedes-Benz claims a 0–100km/h time of 6.6sec. Top speed is limited to 210km/h.
The electric drivetrain is terrifically refined with exceptionally smooth and vibration-free qualities. The slippery shape also ensures wind noise and buffeting around the mirrors are kept to a minimum at typical highway speeds.
Yes, refinement is a key attraction. Less so, the towing capacity. At 1800kg, it’s 900kg shy of that offered by the internal combustion engine GLE SUV in Australia.
The EQE SUV is the first of Mercedes-Benz’s electric models to receive a so-called Disconnect Unit (DCU). At low speeds, it provides a mechanical disconnecting of the front electric motor from the drive process on dual-motor four-wheel drive models in Eco and Comfort mode, reducing drag losses and providing a claimed six per cent reduction in energy consumption on the WLTP test cycle.
Additionally, the new EQ model receives a heat pump in place of a conventional air-conditioning unit, bringing a further 10 per cent reduction in energy use in cooler weather conditions, according to Mercedes-Benz.
With a combined energy consumption between 22.5 and 18.5kWh/100km on the WLTP test cycle, the EQE350 4Matic’s standard 400-volt, 89kWh lithium battery is claimed to provide an overall range of between 460 and 551km. An on-board charger allows AC charging at up to 22kW on a wallbox installation, together with DC charging at up to 170kW on a high-powered charger.
The standard suspension mates a double-wishbone (front) and multi-link (rear) steel sprung suspension with so-called stroke-dependent dampers (SDD), with an Airmatic air suspension using single-chamber plungers for adjustable ride height and constant self-levelling available as an option.
As with other EVA platform-based models, the EQE SUV also receives an optional four-wheel-steering system with up to 10 degrees of rear steer angle.
On the Airmatic air suspension, it is agreeably precise and comfortable, with lightly weighted steering and generally absorbent qualities to the ride in both Eco and Comfort modes. The new SUV is undemanding in everyday driving conditions around town, where the additional benefits of the optional rear-wheel-steering system endow it with impressive low-speed manoeuvrability and a 10.5m turning circle.
Switching to Sport adds weight to the steering and an underlying firmness to the ride, ramping up the interaction and body control. There is substantial mass at play, but the EQE350 4Matic proves quite agile, with a reasonable amount of grip and excellent traction on the 265/40 Goodyear Eagle tyres worn by our test car. It also suppresses vertical movement well over winding and undulating roads.
Less resolved is the action of the brakes. They are desperately lacking in feel, and there is an odd movement to the pedal as they are automatically pre-tensioned and ultimately triggered by the energy recuperation function.
The EQE SUV boasts more than token off-road ability. There’s a nominal 169mm of ground clearance, but this can be increased by 25mm with an optional Off-Road package on models using the Airmatic air suspension. Beyond this, there’s also an optional transparent bonnet function that displays the terrain underneath the front wheels within the infotainment display.
Production of the EQE SUV for the Australian market will take place at Mercedes-Benz’s Tuscaloosa manufacturing facility in the US – the same site that produces the GLE, GLS and EQS SUVs. Additional production is planned to take place at the joint-venture factory run by Mercedes-Benz and Chinese state-owned carmaker BAIC in Beijing, China.
The EQE350 4Matic SUV is a very agreeable and easy car to live with. There are a few criticisms – not least the lifeless brake pedal feel. But it generally builds on the appeal of earlier EQ models, delivering the sort of driving appeal, dynamics, comfort, accommodation, practicality and standard equipment levels to establish itself as one of the most accomplished electric cars in its class.
On the strength of this first drive, it is one of the German carmaker’s best electric models yet. But at $160,000, it’s set to be a rather expensive one too. A good $17,500 more than the GLE300d.
The post 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE350 SUV review: International first drive appeared first on Drive.
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