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.
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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 Capacity | 100 kWh |
| Battery Type | Lithium-Ion |
| Charge Port | Type 2 |
| Charge Power | 11 kW alternating current |
| DCFC Charge Speed | 28 minutes to reach 80% |
| Operational Range | 300 miles |
| Length | 196.6 inches |
| Width | 76.2 inches |
| Height | 59.5 inches |
| Wheelbase | 122.8 inches |
| 0-60 acceleration time | 5.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 130 mph |
| Horsepower | 288 hp |
| Torque | 564 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.
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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.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Trygve Finkelsen/Shutterstock.com.
