Home

 › 

Cars

 › 

Reviews

 › 

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE EV Is Electric Excellence

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE EV Is Electric Excellence

Electric vehicles are one of the fastest-growing market segments in the automotive industry currently. It isn’t hard to see why, either. EVs present minimal maintenance costs with an eco-friendly powertrain. The advances in the tech driving them made them just as smooth on the road as their combustion engine-driven counterparts. Mercedes-Benz hasn’t made its commitment to EVs a secret by any means. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE is an excellent reminder of this.

The 2023 EQE is home to Mercedes-Benz‘s trademark luxury touch. The unassuming exterior could lead you to believe this is just another EV sedan, and it certainly does resemble it. Make no mistake, however, this is a purpose-built EV made from the ground up to provide one of the best experiences for daily driving on the market. Let’s take a look at what makes this EV tick, and whether it is a good choice for your next EV purchase.

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE Overview

Release Date and Pricing

The 2023 EQE was shipped to Mercedes-Benz dealerships across the country in the fall of 2022. The basic trim package retails for an MSRP of $74,900.

Different Models

The Mercedes-Benz EQE comes in three different configurations. The EQE 350+ is the basic trim package and retails for $74,900. Next up is the EQE 350 4MATIC, which retails for $77,900. The final model is the EQE 500 4MATIC, which retails for $85,900.

Features

The all-electric EQE sedan is roomier than traditional E-series sedans from Mercedes-Benz. Driver and passenger alike will only benefit from the spaciousness of the headroom and legroom afforded in every seat of the vehicle. This particular EV seats five in total, which is roughly the norm of the E-series of sedans.

Mercedes-Benz hasn’t skimped on the interior components, with a pair of screens adorning the dash and instrument panel. The dash-oriented screen functions as your typical infotainment panel and has a 17.7-inch screen.

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE
The EQE will be offered in three trim levels, starting with the EQE 350+.

©emirhankaramuk/Shutterstock.com

Behind the steering wheel, the second screen functions as your typical instrument panel, providing crucial information regarding your drive, speed, and range. Mercedes-Benz hasn’t skimped on the user experience with the operating system on the infotainment panel. Navigation and use are swift, and the interface itself is quite easy to use.

The basic trim package has a utilitarian, yet plush interior. It also has a four-zone interior climate control, making sure every person in the car is comfortable. Heated seats are present for the front driver and passenger seats.

NHTSA standards are adhered to in regard to automated safety features. The EQE comes with forward-collision warning and emergency braking. Also present are lane-departure warnings and lane-keeping assist. The final safety feature to round out the package is adaptive cruise control.

Specifications

Battery Capacity100 kWh
Battery TypeLithium-Ion
Charge PortType 2
Charge Power11 kW alternating current
DCFC Charge Speed28 minutes to reach 80%
Operational Range300 miles
Length196.6 inches
Width76.2 inches
Height59.5 inches
Wheelbase122.8 inches
0-60 acceleration time5.3 seconds
Top Speed130 mph
Horsepower288 hp
Torque564 lb-ft

2023 EQE Review

Mercedes-Benz’s follow-up to the somewhat divisive EQC is a homerun. The EQE is a smartly designed EV with luxury touches that still looks like your typical family sedan.

Design

The unassuming facade of the Mercedes-Benz EQE betrays user expectations. Beneath the surface of the EQE, there is a fair amount of power and a remarkably high range for an EV. The optimal range of 300 miles is higher than the vast majority of EVs on the market. Acceleration isn’t half-bad either, with a 0-60mph time of 5.3 seconds.

In use, the EQE is a wonderful experience and sets itself apart quite ably from other EVs and competitors like Volkswagen. While the EQE isn’t in the same particular niche as the ID.4, the interior and operating system are a clear divide between the two. The overall exterior design of the EQE bears the legacy of decades of E-series sedans, but with a twist of sorts.

The roomy interior is actually a bit larger than the last production combustion engine-driven E-series, which is a welcome realization. All things considered, the EQE 350+ is a smartly designed vehicle that’s meant for user comfort and a luxurious drive.

Performance

The Mercedes-Benz EQE isn’t lacking in power. It isn’t a supercar by any measure, but there’s plenty of power on tap for highway driving and your day-to-day city incursions. 288 horsepower lurks in the vehicle’s drivetrain, and you can certainly tell Mercedes-Benz designed it for a smooth ride on any major highway.

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE’s range is estimated to be more than 300 miles.

©Trygve Finkelsen/Shutterstock.com

The overall range of the vehicle is quite solid, as previously stated. One quibble to make is the lack of a J1772 connector, as the vehicle uses a Type 2 connector for accessing charging stations. For home charging, this doesn’t make much of a difference, but American charging infrastructure is overwhelmingly leaning toward the universal connector type.

Ostensibly, this means EQE owners will have to invest in an additional adapter to access the wider network of charging stations dotting the country. Level 2 and DCFC charge time isn’t bad in the slightest.

From 20%, Level 2 has an estimated charge time of around nine hours, which is solid for a 100kWh battery. DCFC charge times are likewise fairly zippy, with the vehicle reaching 80% of the charging capacity within 28 minutes. Sure, it isn’t quite as immediate as its internal combustion counterpart, but given the overall cost of charging, it is a worthy trade-off.

Ports and Connectivity

The Mercedes-Benz EQE has a Type 2 connector, as previously stated. These are typically used with Tesla vehicles, and there is a good amount of support for Tesla-compatible charging stations across the country. This, unfortunately, excludes it from use with universal chargers; unless you purchase an adapter of some sort.

On the interior, you’ll find your typical array of ports for connecting your smartphone. An auxiliary audio port in addition to USB ports is present. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto help to drive the media functions of the EQE in all trim packages. Bluetooth connectivity is also present, for those who wish to use their smartphone without fumbling for a cable while driving.

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Great interior fit and finish
  • Smooth drive in the city and on the highway
  • Great operational range

Cons

  • Higher MSRP than other comparable EVs
  • No universal charging port
  • Front windshield visibility is a little cramped

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE: Is It a Buy?

Buy it if…

…You’re in the market for a smartly designed EV and your budget has room for it.

The Mercedes-Benz EQE in all trim packages is a great EV and only shows the promise of future Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles. The superior range and smooth ride make for a comfortable vehicle. An expanded interior makes sure all your passengers fit comfortably, and the individual climate control only adds to that.

Don’t buy it if…

…You’re looking for an EV below $70,000 MSRP.

The EQE is on the pricier side of things, and even comes in at a higher retail price than a comparable Tesla. You’re not so much paying for the Mercedes-Benz name here as you are paying for a luxury EV. For budgetary concerns, you’re likely better off looking elsewhere for any number of excellent EVs on the market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the EQE fully electric?

Yes, the EQE is a fully electric vehicle. It is not a hybrid, and it lacks an internal combustion engine.

Can you charge the EQE at home?

Provided you have a compatible charger, you can certainly charge the EQE at your home. In fact, most EV owners will end up charging their cars at home, as charging stations are more for ensuring travel range, in the same way, a gas station might be for an ICE vehicle.

Is owning an EV cheaper than a combustion engine car?

Overall, yes. There’s less regular maintenance that needs to be performed to keep all the internal mechanisms working on an EV. You’re also spending far less on fuel costs on an annual basis.

What does the optimal range mean for an EV?

It supposes that the battery is at a full charge, climate control is potentially off, and all other internal systems that may use the battery are also off. The actual driving range if you’re in a hot or cold climate will likely greatly vary. For puttering around the city any EV should do just fine provided you aren’t doing cross-state trips regularly.

Does Mercedes-Benz have other EVs?

Yes, and as time goes on the auto manufacturer is looking to switch their production wholly over to electric vehicles.

To top