2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 SUV review: This five-door five-seat electric SUV is right in the zone … until you get to the price
2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 SUV review: The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is the latest battery electric model to arrive from one of the globe’s most prestigious brands.
As its name suggests it is E-class (large) sized and is styled like an SUV (wagon). There’s also an EQE sedan on offer.
Here we’re testing the most affordable model, the $134,900 (plus on-road costs) EQE 300 SUV. That’s a lot of money to ask for a five-door five-seat rear-wheel drive wagon, even if it comes with the three-pointed star.
2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 SUV value
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 was one of four models in the line-up at launch and the only one with a single e-motor driving the rear wheels, rather than being dual motor all-wheel drive.
Pricing stretches all the way to the $189,900 Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4Matic+ SUV, which is the first dedicated electric SUV model released by Benz’s performance partners.
The logical opposition for the EQE SUV include the Audi Q8 e-tron, BMW iX and Lexus RZ450e.
Standard exterior features include 21-inch AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels shod in run-flat rubber, AMG Line enhancements including, dark tinted glass and illuminated aluminium-look running boards.
Accessed by keyless entry, the EQE interior includes heated and powered AMG Line front sports seats with memory settings. AMG Line also includes a Nappa leather five-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel.
Also standard are AMG brushed stainless steel pedals, a huge sunroof, 64-colour ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control using a heat pump, leather upholstery, Anthracite trim, a power tailgate and cargo area roller cover.
Infotainment equipment includes a 12.3-inch instrument cluster configurable through five different views and augmented by a head-up display.
To its left is a 12.8-inch OLED infotainment touchscreen that contains sat-nav with augmented reality that can display directions on a forward-looking camera view. The EQE 300 SUV also offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection, streaming and digital radio, six USB-Cs spread through the cabin and wireless smartphone charging.
The sounds generated by all this are spread through the cabin by a 15-speaker Burmester 3D audio system that even sends vibes up through the floor via sub-woofers mounted in the front chassis rails! It makes for an impressive noise.
Being a Mercedes-Benz there are heaps of options including rear axle steering ($2900) and $3400 air suspension. However, you cannot option the $6700 MBUX Hyper Screen available further up the range or access new transparent bonnet tech that aids with parking.
The EQE 300 SUV is covered by a five-year/unlimited km warranty, including five years roadside assist. Its high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack is protected for 10 years/250,000km. Also guaranteed is a retention of at least 70 per cent of the original battery capacity over that period.
Service intervals are 25,000km/12 months. Service plans start at $2240 for three workshop visits, rise to $3525 for four and $4085 for five.
Inside the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 SUV
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 SUV is a bit like a Mitsubishi Magna. Okay, bear with me.
The similarity with the old fleet-fodder Aussie-built sedan comes when you sit in the driver’s seat of the new Benz. It’s a deep descent like clambering down into a bath. The old Magna felt much the same.
It’s a feeling accentuated in the Benz by the slabby dashboard and the high position of the bridge-type centre console.
The Benz crew will be pleased to know from this point on there are no further triggers for memories of old Australian-built sedans.
Instead, it’s all executed in a business-like and professional if not luxurious way. As always Benz touches like the power seat controls in the doors are greatly appreciated,
But it’s the two screens that really make the interior statement. Both have multiple levels to drill down into and adjust, but there are also shortcuts so potential annoyances like steering assist can be quickly switched off. The air-con controls are digital, but at least they are represented on the screen.
There is plenty of space both front and rear for adult passengers, although some people may decry the lack of third row seating. That option doesn’t come in an electric Benz until you get to the $200,000 (ish) EQS SUV.
The boot is rated at a decent 520 litres of storage, which expands to 1675 litres if the rear seat is split folded. There is no frunk, in fact as is normal for Benz EQ models you can’t easily open the bonnet.
Cabin storage is highlighted by the centre console, which upfront is the prime space to stick bottles and other stuff. But there is a huge and wasteful gap between the upper section and the flat storage space below.
Rear seat passengers get both air-con vents (but no temp controls) and dual USB-C outlets, as well as the more prosaic stuff like cupholders and door pockets.
2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 SUV performance and efficiency
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 SUV is powered by a single electric motor that turns the rear wheels via a single speed direct drive.
The motor produces a maximum 180kW and 550Nm and claims the ability to accelerate from 0-100km./h in 7.3 seconds. That’s one second slower than the next model up in the range, the EQE 350 SUV, and 3.6 seconds slower than the AMG flagship.
An 89kWh (usable) lithium-ion battery of Benz’s own design and construction is employed in the EQE 300 SUV. The range claim between recharges is 446km on the WLTP cycle.
The EQE300 SUV can fast charge at a claimed rate up to 170kW, which delivers a 10-80 per cent recharge in 32 minutes. At the maximum 11kW AC recharging rate (which requires three-phase power), the recharge time from empty to full is about eight-and-a-half hours. For $2475 you can uprate to 22kW recharging.
Plugging into a 240V socket would mean a 48 hour (approx) stay for a full recharge.
The claimed consumption rate for the EQE 300 SUV is 22.9kWh/100km (WLTP).
The EQE 300 SUV has recuperative charging that can be adjusted via steering wheel paddles from no assistance to full-on one-pedal driving.
2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 SUV ride and handling
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 SUV is a competent drive but not an especially memorable one.
It’s got typically strong electric motor tip-in throttle response and typical EV nimbleness thanks to that low-slung high-voltage battery between the axles.
With that Mercedes-Benz has combined a taut passive suspension set-up (surely adaptive dampers at this price should be standard?) and electric assist steering that proved light and responsive in whichever mode it was switched into.
The suspension settings contributed to some unsettling anti-lock brake clamping and unclamping on wet, bumpy roads.
How safe is the Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 SUV?
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 SUV comes with a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on 2023 testing protocols.
It also comes with autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, active lane keeping and lane changing support, active steering assist, evasive manouevre support and traffic sign recognition.
As well as the usual front, side and curtain airbags, the EQE 300 SUV includes a driver’s knee airbag and a front centre airbag to protect against head clashes.
Digital LED headlights with the ability to mask the beam from oncoming traffic is part of the package along with driver monitoring, a 360 degree camera, active parking assist, tyre pressure monitoring and the pre-safe systems that prepare the car for imminent impact.
2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 SUV review: the verdict
There’s a lot to like about the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 SUV, but not enough for its high price tag not to impact its appeal.
The presence of the Tesla Model Y in the market at a much cheaper price delivering fundamentally the same attributes – yep, agreed, the Benz has more kit for sure – hurts the EQE.
At least it’s not alone. All the high-priced electric luxury SUVs have exactly the same problem.
3/5
Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 SUV specifications
Price: From $134,900 plus on-road costs
Basics: EV, 5 seats, 5 doors, hatchback, RWD
EV range: 446km (WLTP)
Battery capacity: 89kWh
Battery warranty: 7 years/Unlimited km
Energy consumption: 22.9kWh/100km (WLTP)
E-motors: Single motor mounted on rear axle, maximum output 180kW/550Nm
AC charging: 11kW, Type 2 plug
DC charging: 170kW, CCS combo plug
0-100km/h: 7.3 seconds (claimed)
