Mercedes' All-Electric Luxury Sedan: the EQE
Hot on the heels of the EQS, which Mercedes-Benz bills as the electric S-Class, comes the EQE, its new all-electric midsize sedan. Like the EQS, the EQE is an all-new electric car, built on a dedicated platform that is not shared with the E-Class, though it is roughly the same size on the outside. Like the EQS, the EQE is also packed with the latest infotainment and driver assistance technology.
The new Mercedes EQE will be available in a number of different power output and trim levels, offering consumers a wide range of choices. Two different power outputs and three trim levels are available, along with the option of all-wheel drive.
EQE Models and Features
Like the EQS, the new EQE will be offered in Premium, Exclusive, and Pinnacle versions for the U.S market. The EQE 350 Premium trim starts at $74,900 MSRP and includes the impressive MBUX infotainment system with 12.8-inch touch screen, automated parking system with surround view camera, heated front seats, a panoramic power tilt and sliding sunroof, heated seats, leatherette upholstery, a spectacular Burmester high-end sound system, and more.
This model's navigation feature is excellent. Electric Intelligence, an EQ-specific navigation system, factors the elements of electric driving, such as available charge, charging stations along the route and driving style into its route calculations and computes the energy demand of the route. It actually takes into account topography, ambient temperature, heating and cooling requirements, speed and even traffic. The navigation system is therefore able to plan the fastest routes taking charging station availability, capacity and payment functions into account.
The EQE features a suite of active and passive driver assists. Included in all models are blind spot assistant, active lane keeping assistant, LED headlights with high-beam assistant. Adding $3,000 gets you 4Matic all-wheel drive as well.
For $77,000 MSRP, you can step up to the Exclusive trim, which adds augmented reality to the Premium trim’s MBUX system; it projects directions live onto an image of the road to help you navigate more easily. The Premium’s 64-color ambient lighting is upgraded even further with active ambient lights that reflect control choices; turn up the heat, for example, and the lights briefly glow red to confirm. Additional driver assists include semi-autonomous driving features such as active cruise control that can work from a standstill up to highway speeds.
The top trim level, Pinnacle, starts at $80,500 MSRP, and focuses on interior features. It includes four-zone climate control, an “air balance package” which lets you choose an interior cabin fragrance, massaging seats with multiple settings, a large heads-up display, and a digital light system. Like other trim levels, a $3,000 upgrade adds all-wheel drive.
Should the EQE 350’s 288 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque not be enough for you, there is a more powerful model available as well – the EQE 500 ups power to 402 hp, and comes with standard all-wheel drive. The EQE 500 Premium lists for $85,900 MSRP; Exclusive for $88,000 MSRP and Pinnacle for $91,500 MSRP.
Convenient Charging
All EQE models are fitted with a standard 90.6-kWh battery, which delivers up to 305 miles of range in the EQE 350 according to EPA estimates – slightly less for all-wheel drive models or for the EQE 500.
EQE drivers are also provided with convenient use of charging stations across multiple providers thanks to the Mercedes me Charge program. The company has signed deals with a number of different charging networks to seamless integrated payments with simplified, one-stop billing. Customers also get two years of free 30-minute DC fast charging sessions on the Electrify America network. (Of course, most buyers will charge at home overnight for day-to-day use.)
The first Mercedes-Benz EQE models will start arriving in U.S. dealerships before the end of 2022. We’re excited to see and drive the latest model in the company’s electric lineup. Like the EQS, which also became available as an SUV as well as a sedan, we expect an EQE SUV to follow shortly.
