The Mercedes EQE SUV is the GLE of the future

The Mercedes EQE SUV, the all-rounder model variant of the EQE provides a pure-electric alternative to the Mercedes GLE. However, it’s a five-seater SUV with no option for a third row of seats. The large electric SUV has received its first update and entered the 2024 model year in the U.S.

At the Bangkok International Motor Show in March 2024, I got a chance to check out the local Mercedes EQE SUV in person, and here are my first impressions of the electric vehicle. I’ve also included notes about the 2024 Mercedes EQE SUV for the U.S. market in every section.

Design

The Mercedes EQE SUV is a baby EQS SUV with a similar fluidic design but smaller dimensions that make it more suitable for the city. Compared to the GLE, the softer character and contemporary design build a unique appeal for the electric car. That said, I don’t find its quirky front fascia that attractive.

The EQE SUV measures 191.5 inches in length, 76.4 inches in width (with flush-fitting door handles), and 66.3 inches in height and has a 119.3-inch wheelbase. It’s much smaller than its competitors and the GLE, but what I find strange is that it’s smaller than the EQE, too.

Front

The Mercedes GLE‘s electric alternative features a low and short front section. It has a deep black faux radiator grille with a 3D star pattern, curvy headlamps with the characteristic Mercedes eyebrow DRL, an A-shaped lower air intake integrated into a simulated underguard, and black fins on the side intakes. LED headlamps are standard, and Digital Light technology is available as a paid option.

Digital Light enables the projection of warning symbols or auxiliary markings onto the road and more coming-home/leaving animations. 1.3 million micro-mirrors help refract and direct the light of six LEDs (three in each headlamp). The resulting resolution is a whopping 2.6 million pixels, and this high resolution allows a highly precise light distribution. After seeing this feature in person, I believe it is a must-have option.

Side

The side profile of the 2024 EQE SUV looks sleek and sporty, and I think it’s the best angle of its exterior. The new model has 20-inch wheels as standard instead of the previous one’s 19-inch units. Looking closely at the side profile, I noticed that the 2024 EQE SUV has a streamlined design for the A-pillar and visibly short overhangs. Overall, the EQE SUV bears a striking resemblance to its big brother at this angle, but none compared to the GLE, just as Mercedes-Benz Group CDO Gorden Wagener indicated at the ‘Mercedes-Benz Strategy Update: The Economics of Desire’ held on May 19, 2022:

It is very different (compared) to GLE. It is much sleeker, much more sporty, much more aerodynamic, and therefore it really stands for the SUV of the future.

Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer, Mercedes-Benz Group, on the design of the EQE SUV (Mercedes-Benz Strategy Update: The Economics of Desire on May 19, 2022)

Rear

Flowing surfaces and smooth transitions dominate at the rear, in line with the fluidic theme of the exterior. A continuous light strip stretches across the width, with its technical-looking LED lights featuring the shape of a curved and illuminated 3D helix. In my opinion, it’s not a bad-looking rear fascia, but it doesn’t look jaw-dropping like that of the Lucid Gravity or the Polestar 3.

The 2024 EQE SUV, unlike the previous model, features a power charging port door as part of the standard equipment. Another change in the charging aspect is that Mercedes-Benz ships a dual-voltage, Level 1 and 2 charging cable as part of the standard equipment.

I liked how the backup camera is discreetly placed behind the three-pointed star, which keeps it secured and protected from dirt. I also noted that the EQE SUV has reduced panel gaps compared to gasoline-powered Mercedes SUVs. Mercedes-Benz has used extensive underbody paneling, which is one of the many aerodynamic details on the exterior. The EQE SUV has a drag coefficient of 0.25 C_d.

The 2024 Mercedes EQE SUV is available in nine colors, including a new ‘Sonran Brown Metallic’ shade. Soon, a new ‘MANUFAKTUR Moonlight White Metallic’ color will become available as a replacement for the MANUFAKTUR Diamond White Metallic color.

Interior

The Mercedes EQE SUV features a futuristic and sumptuous interior, and I have to say, it’s one of the classiest cabins I’ve seen in this segment. It has a floating dashboard that is harmoniously connected to the door panels, and this gave me a cocooned feeling when I sat in the EV at the 2024 Bangkok International Motor Show.

As a 5’7″ person, I was able to comfortably enter and exit the front of the Mercedes EQE SUV. The driver’s seat offered good lumbar support and kept me tucked in with the side bolsters. I had about 6-7 inches of headroom in my preferred driving position. I didn’t notice any issue with the under-thigh support in the front of the cabin.

The 2024 EQE SUV flaunts MBUX Hyperscreen only in the range-topping, 500 4MATIC variant. I think MBUX Hyperscreen gives the interior a visibly more high-tech and minimalist look. Extending from A-pillar to A-pillar, it consists of a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 17.7-inch OLED central display, and a 12.3-inch OLED passenger display, all merged almost seamlessly into one another under a glass cover.

A slim AC vent band covers the whole width at the top of the dashboard and an ambient light corona amplifies the low-profile and futuristic design of the interior. I particularly like the intricately designed turbine blades of the circular AC vents at the outer ends of the dashboard. A bridge-type center console connects to the dashboard, and below it, I noticed that there’s an open area with plenty of storage space, enough to keep a grocery bag or a handbag.

In the base 350+ variant and mid-range 350 4MATIC (pictured here) variant, Mercedes-Benz uses MBUX, which leads to a comparatively more basic design, but overall it still looks very fancy. The dashboard has a free-standing 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster attached to it. I think the star pattern lasered into the passenger-side dashboard and adaptively backlit beautifully makes up for the absence of the dedicated display. The center console is also slightly different in these variants. A 12.8-inch OLED display lies at the top of the center console and floats, and I like how it is free-standing in space.

In my experience, the MBUX infotainment system was swift and quick to respond. It had a cumbersome menu, which could be a bit too much to digest all at once for a new user. The center console had a huge storage box that ran deep and included two USB Type-C ports. The quality of materials, including the trim and upholstery, was top-notch.

In the U.S. market, Mercedes-Benz has replaced the Yacht-Design Walnut trim of the EQE SUV with the Natural Grain Yacht-Design Norway Maple trim with the MY2024 update. Moreover, the company has upgraded the communications module to 5G for faster connectivity. Lastly, it has added a rear occupant reminder & seatbelt detection system to the list of standard safety features.

In the back, I sat right behind the driver’s seat. The backrest of the bench was fixed, and I think I would’ve preferred a slightly more relaxed angle. I had plenty of legroom and knee room. The under-thigh support was average, and the cushion could’ve been a little longer. The headroom was good for me, but maybe not for tall passengers. I had about five inches of headroom, so I think six-foot-plus passengers would not be very comfortable here.

The 2024 EQE SUV offers 14.0 cu.-ft. of cargo space behind the rear seats. In an optional cargo position, it’s possible to have 20 cu.- ft. of cargo space. Folding down the rear seats gives 55.0 cu.-ft. of cargo space. There’s no large engine block, but Mercedes-Benz hasn’t used the space under the hood to offer a frunk for the 2024 EQE SUV.

Specifications

Aspect\Specification	EQE SUV 350+	EQE SUV 350 4MATIC	EQE SUV 500 4MATIC
Length	191.85 in.	191.5 in.	192.13 in.
Width	76.4 in.	76.4 in.	76.4 in.
Height	65.78 in.	65.78 in.	65.78 in.
Wheelbase	119.3 in.	119.3 in.	119.3 in.
Trunk Volume with rear seat up	14.0 cu. ft.	14.0 cu. ft.	14.0 cu. ft.
Trunk Volume with rear seat folded	55.0 cu. ft.	55.0 cu. ft.	55.0 cu. ft.
Drivetrain Layout	RWD	AWD	AWD
No. of Motors	One	Two	Two
Power	288 hp	288 hp	402 hp
Torque	417 lb.-ft.	564 lb.-ft.	633 lb.-ft.
0-60 mph Acceleration Time	6.4 seconds	6.2 seconds	4.7 seconds
Top Speed	130 mph	130 mph	130 mph
Battery Pack Energy Storage Capacity	96.0 kWh	90.56 kWh	96.0 kWh
AC Charging Power	9.6 kW	9.6 kW	9.6 kW
AC Charging Time (0-100% SoC)	11.5 hours	10.75 hours	11.5 hours
DC Charging Power	170 kW	170 kW	170 kW
DC Charging Time (10-80% SoC)	32 minutes	32 minutes	32 minutes
EPA-est. Range	To Be Announced	265 miles	To Be Announced

Price

The 2024 Mercedes EQE SUV in the U.S. retails at USD 77,900 in the 350+ and 350 4MATIC variants and USD 89,500 in the 500 4MATIC variant. Customers can choose from three grades: Premium, Exclusive, and Pinnacle.

In addition to the aforementioned 20-inch wheels, the 2024 EQE SUV features the 12.8-inch OLED central display, the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, heated front seats, 64-color ambient lighting, Keyless-Go Comfort Package, power tilt and sliding panoramic roof, MBUX EQ navigation services, Parking Package with Surround View System and Parktronic, Burmester Sound System, and MB-Tex upholstery as standard. The 500 4MATIC variant’s highlights in this trim exclusively include an AMG Line exterior and a 10-degree rear-axle steering as well.

TopElectricSUV says

The Mercedes EQE SUV provides a driving experience that prioritizes comfort over sporty enthusiasm, which is in contrast with the sharper dynamics of electric SUVs from Audi and BMW. It offers a quieter, more stable ride than the larger EQS SUV, although with slower acceleration to 60 mph compared to popular electric SUVs here in the U.S. in the luxury segment. The interior design impresses with high-quality materials, and massaging front seats. And the Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV is just bonkers!

Also See: Mercedes EQB for the U.S.: Here’s what’s currently on sale