The 2023 Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-EQ EQE 350 promises up to 300 miles of range, with an ultra-modern interior and legendary Mercedes-Benz safety and reliability. Size-wise, the EQE is bigger than the Tesla Model 3 but not as large as the Model S, giving it the advantage of filling a gaping hole in the Tesla lineup. Powered by its rear wheels, the EQE 350’s electric motor produces the equivalent of about 288 horsepower. Later in the year, a more powerful all-wheel-drive EQE 400 is slated for showrooms, followed by a 617-hp AMG-EQE version shortly after.
Along with the Tesla Model S, the EQE 350 faces challenges from the smaller BMW i4 and Polestar 2. The Lucid Air might also be considered a rival, but its price tag is more in line with the larger EQS sedan.
2023 Mercedes-EQ EQE 350 ($74,900)
The 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQE 350 starts at $74,900.
The 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQE 350 is an impressive electric sedan about the same size as the gas-powered CLS-Class and with more interior room than the midsize E-Class.
With its sophisticated 90-kWh battery pack, the EQE 350 can charge in about 9 hours using a standard 240-volt Level 2 charger. Moving to a DC fast-charging station allows the EQE 350 to reach an 80% charge in about half an hour.
Sophisticated yet still clearly a product of Mercedes-Benz design, the EQE 350 includes LED headlights with automatic high beams, heated power side mirrors, a panoramic sunroof, and 19-inch wheels. Around the back, a single LED light bar defines the EQ series, with a flip-up rear camera hidden behind the Mercedes star badge.
The EQE 350 touts a traditional steel spring suspension, with the option to upgrade to an adaptive Airmatic air spring suspension. It includes four drive modes with Comfort, Sport, Eco, and Individual settings.
It also features Keyless Start and Go, requiring only the key fob to be in your possession to unlock the doors and drive the car. The EQE’s door handles are flush with the car and pop out as your approach. Illuminated door sill panels assist with night entry and exit.
Mercedes Guard 360 Vehicle Protection Plus serves as a 24/7 sentry, with a fleet of sensors that can detect if someone is trying to break in, tow the vehicle, or has tapped the car, as often happens in tight parking spaces.
The EQE 350’s interior is a joyous combination of luxury and technology. The driver views a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, while to the right is a 12.8-inch OLED touch screen controlling the audio and MBUX (Mercedes Benz User Experience) features.
Heated and ventilated front seats covered in MT-Tex synthetic leather include contour ambient lighting. A 64-color ambient light system includes EQ-specific light programs, allowing the driver to customize the interior to suit their mood. Six color-coordinated interior choices include Sable Brown/Neva Grey or Biscaya Blue/Black.
The MBUX system includes voice control for navigation, audio, Bluetooth, and various optional upgrades. Speak the words “Hey Mercedes,” and the system readies itself to carry out commands.
Buyers can upgrade a standard audio system by high-end audio manufacturer Burmester for even better performance. Also standard is wireless smartphone integration, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a wireless charging pad. Owners can call up MBUX driver profiles via a fingerprint sensor for biometric identification.
The EQE’s intelligent navigation system monitors power levels and plans the fastest routes with charging stations in mind. It can also take into account traffic delays and plan accordingly. Membership in the Mercedes me Charge program grants access to over 600 charging stations, promising to locate those with green renewable energy sources.
Standard driver-assist systems include rear parking sensors, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist.
Optional is the Driver Assistance Package that adds adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot assist to nudge the car away from a possible blind-spot collision. Also in the package is evasive steering assist, intersection assist (slows or stops the vehicle if making a dangerous left turn with oncoming traffic), and the Pre-Safe system that prepares the car in the event of an impact.
Options for the EQE are as numerous as they are advanced. One of the best upgrades is the Hyperscreen, a single 56-inch piece of curved glass running the length of the dashboard. Behind the glass are three OLED displays, all activated by either touch or voice control.
Buyers can opt for electronic open and closing front doors and an Energizing air purification system with various aromas such as bittersweet chocolate. Energizing comfort reproduces natural sounds with names like Summer Rain, Forest Glade, and Sound of the Sea, designed to soothe and calm the driver.
Mercedes Digital Light headlights use super-bright LEDs and 1.3 million micro-mirrors to deliver exact light placement.
Other options worth noting include a head-up display, massaging front seats, and augmented reality navigation that superimposes navigation arrows and house numbers over a live video of the outside surroundings. Buyers can opt for a 360-degree camera, 4-zone automatic climate control, a 100-watt USB-C Package, rear-axle steering, and a 110-volt emergency use charging cable.
The Winter Package adds a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, heated windshield, and a heated windshield washer system.
With its $1,150 destination fee, the 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQE 350 has a cost of $70,000. A 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down nets a monthly payment of about $1,3670. See 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQE 350 models for sale near you
2023 Mercedes-EQ EQE 350 Sedan includes:
MBUX – Mercedes infotainment interface goes beyond just answering messages and reading directions. The system adapts to the user, preemptively making suggestions for climate, audio, and vehicle functions.
Heated and ventilated front seats – Help keep occupants cool in the summer and snug in the winter.
Available Burmester Surround Sound audio – This 710-watt system employs 15 speakers to create a brilliant 3D surround sound system.
Available rear-axle steering – Not only improves steering response and turning diameter when equipped with Active Parking Assist, but it can also help the EQE squeeze into parking spaces otherwise off-limits.
2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE (starting at $90,000, estimated)
Giving the EQE the AMG treatment naturally means everything gets faster and more expensive.
The Mercedes-AMG EQE uses two electric motors creating an all-wheel-drive platform and the same 90.6-kWh battery pack that bumps horsepower to 617. Mercedes says the AMG EQE will hit 60-mph in 3.4 seconds and has a top speed of 137-mph. Toss in the optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package, output rises to 677 horsepower, with a 3.2-second 0-60 time and 149-mph top speed.
Expect the range to drop a bit, around 250 miles per charge.
The AMG EQE’s 4Matic+ AWD system is entirely computer-controlled, meaning the system can distribute torque far faster between the front and rear axle than a traditional mechanical AWD setup.
The ride is kept comfortable via an air suspension with adaptive dampers, and standard rear-axle steering promotes agile handling and rapid response.
The Dynamic Select system offers six settings: Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Race Start without boost function, and Race Start with boost function (requires AMG Dynamic Plus Package).
Because electric vehicles are nearly devoid of mechanical sounds, AMG offers the AMG Sound Experience that recreates various “Authentic” and “Performance” sounds in three variants: Balanced, Sport, and Powerful.
Like the EQE 350, the AMG EQE offers leather upholstery and Hyperscreen instrument panel options. Standard sport seats of MB-Tex and microfiber and red topstitching are fitting, as is the flat-bottom AMG steering wheel wrapped in Napa leather. The wheel features AMG Drive Unit controls with buttons operating over 15 information and setting options.
Options for the AMG EQE include a heated steering wheel, the AMG Night Package (features black and black chrome elements), ceramic brakes, and 20 or 21-inch AMG wheels.
The AMG Track Pace MBUX app records more than 80 vehicle-specific parameters (such as speed, braking, etc., when racing on a track) and displays them on the instrument cluster or the head-up display.
With the 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE having an estimated cost of around $90,000, a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down nets a monthly payment of about $1,620. See 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE models for sale near you
2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE includes:
617 horsepower – With dual electric motors, the AMG EQE can dash to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds.
AMG Dynamic Plus Package – This optional upgrade increases horsepower to 677 and shaves 0.2 seconds off the 0-60 run.
Dynamic Select – Offers different modes for various driving conditions, such as Slippery that improves traction on wet or snowy pavement, and Race Start, which delivers 100% power to the wheels.
AMG Sound Experience – Creates mechanical sounds such as a car starting, shutting off, or running at wide-open throttle, enhancing the otherwise silent driving experience.
