The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV has made its electrifying debut with captivating design and an array of amenities that deliver a unique driving experience. The SUV also comes with an AMG high-performance version capable of up to 677 hp.
After an interior presentation last month, Mercedes’ EQ electric division finally revealed the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV. The SUV sits between the EQB and EQS SUVs in the manufacturer’s electric lineup, which also includes the EQS sedans and EQE.
The design of the new Mercedes-Benz EQE 2023
The SUV has a similar front end to that of the EQE sedan, with a large gloss black grille that integrates the headlights into its winged shape. At the rear, the wraparound taillamps are once again familiar with their 3D LED elements and animated approach and departure effects. The EQE SUV also continues the Mercedes-EQ tradition of the inconvenient washer fluid door in the front quarter panel, necessitated by the sealed engine compartment that can only be opened by a technician. The two-box SUV silhouette should free up headroom for second-row passengers, and it increases cargo capacity to 18.4 cubic feet, or 59.2 cubic feet with the seats folded.
Three electrical specifications
The core EQE SUV will be offered with three electric powertrain options at launch.
Starting with the EQE350 Plus with its single rear axle mounted 215 kilowatt motor. This gives the EQE350 Plus 288 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque, which is enough to take the electric SUV from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds.
The EQE350 4Matic adds a second electric motor to the front axle for fully variable all-wheel drive, but keeps total output at 288PS. However, the torque increases to 564 lb-ft, which, along with the added traction, reduces the 0-100 sprint to 6.2 seconds.
Finally, the EQE500 4Matic increases the power of its two electric motors, increasing output to 536 hp and 633 lb-ft of torque. The fastest non-AMG EQE SUV has a 0-100km/h time of 4.6 seconds, but the same electronically limited 130km/h top speed as its peers.
All-weather battery
All three variants also feature the same 90.6-kilowatt-hour battery, also shared with the EQE saloon. The battery features heat pump thermal management as standard for optimal operation in different climates and more efficient operation of the cabin climate control system. Plugging in a 7.7 kW AC charger (such as Benz’s 240-volt 32-amp wallbox) charges the battery from 10% to 100% in 9.5 hours. At a 170 kW DC fast charging station, that time is reduced to 32 minutes.
Range of more than 300 miles
Mercedes estimates that the EQE SUV will have a range of up to 342 miles in the European WLTP test cycle, but that number will almost certainly drop when it undergoes more stringent US EPA testing. We expect the estimates to be updated closer to the market date.
Mercedes-Benz User Experience
Standard equipment includes the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with a 12.8-inch vertical center screen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Mercedes’ massive 56-inch Hyperscreen is an optional upgrade, joining three screens to a single curved glass panel that dominates the dashboard.
In any case, the MBUX software has the “Hey, Mercedes” voice assistant, fingerprint authentication for up to seven different user profiles and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with wireless connectivity as standard.
Driver assists
Owners can also expect the full power of Mercedes’ suite of driver-assist technologies, including standard Pre-Collision Alert with Brake Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Monitoring. An optional Driver Assistance Package adds lane change assist, enhanced cross-traffic and intersection intervention features, adaptive cruise control and more.
2023 Mercedes AMG EQE
Along with the main EQE models, Mercedes has also announced the first battery electric SUV from its AMG performance unit: The 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE. The second stanza is, for the most part, the same as the first, only the The AMG EQE SUV borrows its electric powertrain and handling and styling enhancements from the Mercedes-AMG EQE sedan that blew me away earlier this year.
The AMG SUV’s twin-motor all-wheel drive system develops a total of 617 hp and 701 lb-ft of torque, while its top speed has increased slightly to 137 mph. The optional AMG Dynamic Plus package raises the power with its Boost function to 677 hp and 738 lb-ft. Top speed is also raised to 149 mph, while the 0-60 mph time drops to 3.4 seconds.
AMG Ride Control suspension
Handling is enhanced by an upgraded AMG Ride Control air suspension with adaptive dampers and chassis roll control. 16.3-inch front brakes and 6-piston calipers are standard, while the rears get 14.9-inch discs and single-pad stops.
Even larger AMG ceramic front brakes are available. Rear-axle steering is also standard for this spec, albeit with a slightly reduced 9-degree articulation. I bet it’s to make room for the wider 21-inch (or optional 22) wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport EV MO1 tires on all four corners.
Range up to 292 miles
The AMG EQE SUV features the same 90.6 kWh battery as the rest of the EQE SUV lineup and the same AC and DC charging rates. Preliminary range is between 233 and 292 miles, but again that WLTP cycle estimate is likely higher than the EPA estimate will be.
The 2023 EQE SUV and AMG EQE SUV will be produced on the same assembly line as the EQS SUV at the Mercedes plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with their batteries supplied by the nearby Bibb County factory. Pricing for any of the four configurations hasn’t been announced, but we expect additional details, as well as range and economy estimates, to be revealed closer to launch.