2026 Mercedes-Benz EQE

Now in its third model year, it feels like Mercedes-Benz is still trying to make the EQE fit into the market somehow. Or perhaps not trying at all, as the future of the EQE is not looking rosy. Although we have pricing and updated information on the 2026 model, Mercedes-Benz is apparently rethinking which electric vehicles it’s bringing into the United States.

It would be a shame if the EQE becomes history. After all, it’s been one of our highest-ranking cars in its sector. But it seems we’re in a time of general upheaval anyway, so we’ll have to see how it all pans out. We have checked with Mercedes-Benz, though, and can confirm that the EQE is around for 2026, at least.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of luxury electric cars, including the Mercedes-Benz EQE sedan.

Last year’s EQE 350 cars are replaced by 2026 EQE 320 and EQE 320 4Matic models. The EQE 500 4Matic has been discontinued for the United States. We say hello to a standard NACS adapter, so EQE users can plug into Tesla Superchargers. Meanwhile, we say goodbye to the haptic accelerator pedal in Eco mode, beginner/valet driving mode, the Acoustic Comfort package, the optional heated windshield, and the black microfiber headliner. Both the Hyperscreen and Burmester audio system were standard last year, but they’ve migrated to the options list for 2026. Mercedes-Benz now offers a new Winter Package with a heated windshield washer system, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats.

The upside to this de-contenting and the streamlined choices is that the 2026 EQE now begins about $10,000 less than before.

Other all-electric midsize luxury cars worthy of consideration are the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron and BMW i5, starting in the same financial bracket as the EQE. We expect resale values to be at least average for the class, if not a little better. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

New for 2026, the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) EQE 320 enjoys 315 horsepower and 417 lb-ft of torque from a single electric motor. It will accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds — somewhat brisk and a couple of tenths quicker than last year’s EQE 350.

To compare, the entry-level Audi A6 Sportback e-tron has 375 hp and can reach 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, while the 335-hp BMW i5 eDrive40 can do the same sprint in 5.7 seconds.

Funnily enough, the same 315 hp/417 lb-ft output is achieved by the EQE 320 4Matic with all-wheel drive (AWD) and two electric motors. The extra traction helps this car sprint to 60 mph 0.3 of a second faster than its stablemate.

We’ll go into more depth when we get to drive these cars. As for ride quality, we always like luxuriating in the smooth ride of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, and often marvel at how utterly unflustered they can be. The EQE sedan certainly feels this way. And electric power complements the calmness perfectly, thanks to its virtually silent operation. The floor-mounted battery, meanwhile, helps create a low center of gravity, resulting in a pleasant amount of agility and plenty of stability. Optional rear-wheel steering enhances that stability on the highway, adds greater poise on twisting roads, and brings the tight turning radius of a much smaller car — which is a boon around town.

The high-performance AMG EQE sedan has its own review. So does the EQE SUV.

Range and Charging

Maximum range is 308 miles, achieved by the rear-drive EQE 320. That pretty much matches the BMW i5’s best, although both are eclipsed by the 392 miles of the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron.

It takes 32 minutes to recharge the battery from 10% to 80% with a DC fast charger. That’s similar to the BMW i5, and about 10 minutes longer than the best time of the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron.

Mercedes-Benz has yet to announce the all-wheel-drive 2026 EQE 320 4Matic’s range.

Knowing whether to go “ooh” or “ahh” is difficult. The oohs are for the gadgets, like the optional full-width Hyperscreen. The ahhs happen when you settle into the supremely comfortable seats and run a hand over the fine cabin materials. We also like the overall interior design — modern yet welcoming.

There’s more space in here than in the already roomy E-Class. And with no transmission tunnel encroaching on the floor area, rear passengers have plenty of leeway to stretch out, including 38.2 inches of legroom. Just be sure to bend down a little more than usual when climbing in, because the roofline swoops down markedly.

Unlike the larger EQS sedan, which has a hatchback like the Porsche Panamera, this EQE employs a conventional trunk. At 10.9 cubic feet, it’s on the small side. If this aspect is important, the BMW i5’s trunk area is 17.3 cubic feet. Meanwhile, cargo space in the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron goes from 26 cubic feet behind the rear seats to 39.3 cubic feet with those seats folded.

Although it’s a midsize luxury sedan, the EQE rides on a different platform than that of the combustion-powered E-Class. The EQE is about three inches longer and follows a design language similar to the EQS flagship model. It’s still unmistakably a Mercedes-Benz — thanks to the usual understated elegance — but also has a more aerodynamic, more futuristic look than an E-Class. New alloy wheel designs are added for 2026.

Unlike many other electric vehicles, there’s no storage area under the hood. In fact, Mercedes-Benz doesn’t want its clients rummaging around under there. To top up the windshield washer fluid, there’s a pop-out nozzle on the driver’s-side front fender.

Burmester audio
It’s optional, but this high-quality 15-speaker, 710-watt surround-sound system available in the EQE sedan is one of our favorites. It includes immersive Dolby Atmos technology.

Biometric authentication
Owners can store up to seven user profiles, each activated by a fingerprint reader. It’s gimmicky, sure, but we also think it’s cool and science-fiction-esque.

Panoramic sunroof
A panoramic sunroof is standard with the 2026 Mercedes-Benz EQE sedan, contributing to the spacious cabin’s airy ambiance.

Hyperscreen
The optional high-resolution Hyperscreen dash features three screens under one 56-inch curved glass surface: a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 17.7-inch central OLED touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch display for the front passenger.

Augmented reality
This optional feature is particularly cool. Street names and direction arrows are superimposed on the navigation display over real-time video of the road. It adds confidence and convenience when trying to reach a destination.

Airmatic adaptive air suspension
This adaptive suspension enables a range of settings from super-comfortable to somewhat sporty.

The EQE with one motor has a bigger battery than its dual-motor stablemate. The rear-drive EQE 320 employs a power pack with a usable capacity of 96 kilowatt-hours (kWh), while the all-wheel-drive EQE 320 4Matic makes do with 90.5 kWh.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Mercedes-Benz has new-car and powertrain warranties of four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. These terms are typical in the luxury sector. The EQE’s battery is covered for 10 years or 155,000 miles, which is more generous than usual.

Safety Ratings

Although the Mercedes-EQ EQE sedan hasn’t been crash-tested by any agencies in the United States, it earned a maximum five stars overall from a similar program across the Atlantic: Euro NCAP.