Used 2023 Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-EQ EQE

If you think of the large Mercedes-EQ EQS as an electric version of the S-Class sedan, it’s totally fair to view the smaller new Mercedes-EQ EQE as an electric E-Class sedan.

But it’s not quite that simple. While the new EQE is based on a more compact version of the EQS’ dedicated EV chassis, its interior is much larger than today’s E-Class. Its 5-seat cabin is 3 inches longer than the E’s, and there’s an extra inch of front shoulder room. Perhaps most significant, the EQE seating position is 2.5 inches higher than that of the E-Class.

For now, the EQE sedan is offered as an EQE 350+ with a single rear-mounted motor that produces 288 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Thus equipped, the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) EQE 350+ hits 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and has a governed top speed of 130 mph.

Fitted with a 90.6-kilowatt lithium-ion battery integrated into the vehicle’s floor, the 2023 EQE has a maximum range of 305 miles.

There will also be a dual-motor EQE 500 4Matic that’s expected to hit dealers in late 2022. It turns up the performance with 402 horsepower and comes standard with AWD. A range estimate has not been announced for this model yet, but we’re predicting around 270 miles on a full charge.

Early in 2023, the Mercedes-AMG EQE will arrive. Its two motors produce 617 horsepower and a massive 701 lb-ft of torque, directed to all four wheels. It has the same 90.6-kilowatt battery, so we expect its range to be a bit less, perhaps around 250 miles. The AMG EQE, which Mercedes says can do 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds, has a governed top speed of 137 mph.

Inside, the new EQE 350+ sedan is available with an optional Hyperscreen full-width dash covered by a massive single pane of glass. It measures 56 inches across, and it contains a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a central 17.7-inch digital touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch screen for the front passenger. This is the same Hyperscreen used in the Mercedes-EQ EQS. If you order an EQE 350+ without the Hyperscreen, the infotainment system is controlled via a 12.3-inch central touchscreen.

Additionally, the new midsize electric Mercedes sedan comes with the latest “Hey, Mercedes” spoken vehicle interface, along with a Burmester audio system and a fingerprint sensor that lets different drivers access personal profiles.

Competitors for the new electric Mercedes-EQ EQE 350+ sedan — which will be built in Germany and China (for the Chinese market) — include the BMW i4 and the Genesis Electrified G80. As for Tesla, the EQE is a middle ground between the Model 3 and the Model S. In build quality, interior space, and range (respectively), the new 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQE 350+ has big advantages.

We drove the EQE 350+ sedan in and around Denver, Colorado, experiencing it in a nice mix of city, highway, and mountain road driving. This EV performed all of those duties well with quick acceleration and handling that’s far more agile than you might expect.

Electric cars tend to be much heavier than their gas-powered counterparts, but the EQE sedan manages that weight well. The battery packaged under the floor makes for a low center of gravity. The agility is improved if you opt for the optional 4-wheel steering system, which makes this midsize electric Mercedes sedan more satisfying around corners. We also noticed that turning the rear wheels made it easier to park in downtown Denver. Still, the weight is noticeable when braking.

Driving the EQE sedan is a serene experience. Credit the smooth suspension, comfortable seats, and an impeccably quiet cabin. Obviously, there’s no engine noise, but there’s also very little road noise, even at highway speeds. Even loud motorcycles can roar past with a hushed growl that’s barely noticeable.

Rearward visibility isn’t great. The back window, or backlight, is fairly small, and the roof has thick pillars. On a positive note, the Driver Assistance Package mitigates this by giving the driver a good awareness of what’s around the EQE.

Overall, Mercedes-Benz has done a nice job making a midsize EV with a driving experience similar enough to a gas-powered sedan. It’s by no means intimidating. You might even forget that the EQE is electric until you stab the throttle and experience the instant (and silent) torque. If you’re a luxury car driver on the fence about going electric, the new 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQE sedan is an inviting way to make that leap.

Step inside the EQE sedan and you’ll be welcomed to an interior that’s luxurious and high-tech. Unsurprisingly, Mercedes-EQ delivers a posh interior with premium materials and super comfortable seats. You get your choice of six coordinated color schemes including Sable Brown/Neva Grey and Biscaya Blue/Black, and even a leather-free option. Rose gold accents, a signature of Mercedes-EQ, are a nice touch. While the EQE interior feels new, it also feels like a Mercedes.

The tech features are integrated nicely in a user-friendly way. With the optional Hyperscreen dash, the EQE’s instrument panel spans the width of the interior, and information is shared via high-resolution screens blended seamlessly under curved glass. It’s futuristic but minimalist, and it’s complemented by a slim vent band and outer nozzles with a turbine design.

If your EQE 350+ has been ordered with the Burmester surround-sound audio system, this midsize electric Mercedes sedan comes with two soundscapes: Silver Waves and Vivid Flux. Silver Waves is designed to be a rich and clean sound, while Vivid Flux, aimed at EV enthusiasts, provides a crystalline sound that Mercedes says is synthetic but humanly warm. Note: These synthetic driving sounds can be switched on/off via the central display.

As for interior space, the EQE sedan is roomier than the already spacious E-Class. The rear door opening is a little unconventional because of the low and sleek roofline, but once you get in the back, there’s plenty of space. While you’re comfortably seated in the back, you notice the curved headliner of the EQE.

Unlike the liftback EQS sedan, the 2023 EQE has a conventional trunk. And it’s a roomy one, thanks to the space-saving EV architecture of the EQE.

Mercedes says the EQE sedan has a “one-bow, cab-forward design.”

It’s seen as an executive sedan of the future, with a coupe-like silhouette stretched tightly over the greenhouse. It also has the characteristic elements of Mercedes-EQ: generously modeled surfaces, short front and rear overhangs, muscular shoulders, and wheels that are flush to the outside of the body.

While this new electric sedan has a flowing design that may lack some expected Mercedes formality, the black nose (with its thin headlights and pseudo grille) identifies it immediately as a member of the growing Mercedes-EQ family of electric vehicles. Another distinguishing feature of Mercedes-EQ vehicles is a continuous light band that wraps around the car’s rear.

Note: The hood of the EQE 350 is not designed to be opened, which means there’s no front trunk, or “frunk.” So how do you add windshield washer fluid? Look for the pop-out filler nozzle on the EQE sedan’s driver’s side front fender.

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

Augmented reality
Street names and directional arrows are superimposed over a live view of the road on your navigation screen with this optional feature. It adds a lot of confidence and convenience for getting to your destination.

Spacious interior
Thanks to the skateboard-like architecture of the electric powertrain, the EQE sedan has a roomy interior. There’s plenty of room for adults in the back with no driveshaft dividing the floorboard. You also get a lot of cargo space for a sedan this size.

4-wheel steering
Optional rear-axle steering makes the Mercedes EQE sedan as maneuverable as a compact car. Rear steering helps provide added stability at highway speeds, plus the tight turning radius of a much smaller car around town.

Driver Assistance Package
This option package is easy to recommend. It adds a long list of driver assistance and safety tech features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and evasive steering assist. It can also bring the new EQE to a safe stop if it detects the driver is asleep.

Panoramic sunroof
A panoramic sunroof comes standard on the 2023 Mercedes EQE sedan. This opens up the interior and adds a more luxurious feel to the spacious cabin.

The EQE sedan will have three powertrain options. The single-motor EQE 350+ is coming out first, the dual-motor EQE 500 4Matic is expected to hit dealers in late 2022, and the sporty AMG EQE will arrive in early 2023.

2023 Mercedes-EQ EQE 350+: Best Range

The standard electric powertrain in the EQE 350+ has a single electric motor mounted at the rear wheels. Don’t let its status as the base model fool you; the performance is outstanding and it’s more than quick enough for most drivers with a 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds. It also promises to deliver the best range in the EQE lineup. This configuration makes the most sense for most drivers.

According to Mercedes, the heated and cooled EQE battery can be charged from 10% to 100% in 9.5 hours using a 240-volt Level 2 charger. If you use a DC fast charger, the EQE battery charge can be raised from 10% to 80% in as little as a half-hour. Also notable: Mercedes offers a performance warranty on the battery that lasts for 10 years or 155,000 miles.

Single motor
90.6-kWh lithium-ion battery
288 horsepower
391 lb-ft of torque

2023 Mercedes-EQ EQE 500 4Matic: Dual-Motor Power

The dual-motor EQE 500 turns up the performance with a dual-motor configuration and standard all-wheel drive. This is a nice middle ground between the base EQE 350+ and the crazier AMG EQE. We haven’t driven this one yet, but we expect it to add a lot of excitement to this electric luxury sedan.

There’s no official word yet on the range or charge time for the EQE 500, but we expect its range to be a bit less than the EQE 350’s.

Two electric motors
90.6-kWh lithium-ion battery
402 horsepower
633 lb-ft of torque

2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE: Electrifying Performance

Enthusiasts who like the idea of an electric luxury sedan with a measure of practicality will be interested in the upcoming AMG EQE. If it lives up to its name, it will be a thrill to drive, especially with the electric powertrain generating over 700 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes claims a 0-60 mph time of just 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 137 mph.

Range and charge times have not been specified.

Two motors
90.6-kWh lithium-ion battery
617 horsepower (up to 677 hp w/AMG Dynamic Plus package)
701 lb-ft of torque (up to 738 lb-ft w/AMG Dynamic Plus package)