2024 Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-EQ EQE SUV

Although there are several alluring contenders in the luxury electric SUV class, the EQE SUV still manages to feel special. The serene and high-quality cabin never fails to delight, the superb sound system can excite or soothe, there’s space for adults in the back, safety features abound, and the technology is impressive. This is a true Mercedes-Benz, it just has the Mercedes-EQ name that designates it as one of the company’s excellent electric vehicles.

Changes this year had a positive effect on range. The 2023 maximum was 279 miles, achieved by the rear-wheel-drive EQE 350+. That’s not bad for the class. However, for 2024, the EQE 350+ can travel up to 298 miles on a charge. We’ve found Mercedes-Benz to be quite accurate with its estimates, but its German rivals can go further before needing a recharge. Nevertheless, the whole EQE package is absolutely worth serious consideration by those seeking to buy a new electric luxury SUV — there are more factors than range to take into account. For example, as accomplished as the BMW iX is, there will be people who just prefer how the EQE looks. The all-electric 2024 EQE Sedan is reviewed separately.

We’ve driven and evaluated every electric luxury SUV of this generation, including several examples of the Mercedes-EQ EQE SUV.

Even though the EQE SUV only debuted last year, Mercedes-Benz has still made some tweaks. New batteries come on board. The braking system has been improved to create a better, more natural pedal feel. A power-operated charge port flap becomes standard, along with a dual-voltage 110V/240V charging cable. The modem is upgraded from 4G to 5G, and 20-inch alloy wheels become standard. The full-width Hyperscreen is now standard in the EQE 500 4Matic. And a couple of fresh paint colors are available. The super-powerful AMG EQE SUV variant joined the lineup in 2023, but is officially a 2024 model.

Looking at some alternatives, the Tesla Model X is priced similarly to the EQE SUV, the Audi Q8 e-tron starts below these two, and the BMW iX starts above. Something of a bargain, the Cadillac Lyriq begins at just under $60K.

Before buying a new EQE electric luxury SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. We expect the EQE SUV’s resale values to be above average, which is common with other Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles. Recouping more money when you sell a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next one.

It doesn’t cost any extra to acquire the EQE 350 with all-wheel drive, known as 4Matic. This is a popular choice, using two electric motors to develop 288 horsepower and a substantial 564 lb-ft of torque. The resulting standstill-to-60 mph time is a breezy 6.2 seconds. The BMW iX is breezier, though, channeling 516 horsepower to hit 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The 402-horsepower Audi Q8 e-tron does the dash in 5.4 seconds.

If the budget allows, we recommend the optional air suspension for optimal comfort. We’ve found the standard setup to fall somewhat short of the usual wafting Mercedes-Benz ride quality. For extra agility and maneuverability, another EQE SUV option is rear-wheel steering, which we really like. It makes this midsize SUV feel more like a compact — from a driving perspective.

Some shoppers will be interested to know the EQE 500 makes 402 horsepower and zips to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, while the high-performance AMG EQE makes a glorious maximum of 677 horsepower to almost teleport to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds.

The EQE SUV is a 5-seater. If a third seating row is required, check out the larger EQS SUV. We’ve still found the EQE spacious, however, and full of quality materials, fine design, and thoughtful details. The seats are profoundly comfortable, and the technology is impressive — especially the wide Hyperscreen that incorporates no less than three displays. Rear legroom is an expansive 40.6 inches, which is ever so slightly better than the Audi Q8 e-tron and the BMW iX. Those two rivals have the edge with cargo capacity, however. The EQE SUV still has a respectable 14 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 55 cubic feet when folded down.

It’s easy to design a boxy-looking SUV but trickier to create one that’s more aerodynamic. Each to their own, of course, but whatever the EQE SUV might lack in visual dynamism, it makes up for in wind-cheating efficiency. We think there’s an air of contemporary tech mixed with modern luxury. Two new color choices become available this year: Sonoran Brown Metallic and Moonlight White Metallic; the latter finish comes from the high-end Manufaktur personalization program. The EQE SUV also gains 20-inch alloy wheels as standard, replacing 19-inchers.

Burmester audio
Every new EQE SUV comes with this high-quality surround-sound system as standard. It’s one of our favorite systems and includes the immersive Dolby Atmos technology.

Parktronic with Active Parking Assist
This is a great standard feature — a self-parking function for parallel and perpendicular spaces, which also includes a 360-degree camera system.

Driver Assistance package
We reckon this optional set of driver aids is a worthwhile investment. It includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, evasive steering assistance, and many other high-tech safety features.

Augmented reality
This innovative feature takes a lot of stress out of trying to reach an unfamiliar destination. Street names and direction arrows are superimposed on the navigation display over live video of the road ahead. We also think it’s cool in that tech-y way.

Hyperscreen
The full-width, high-resolution Hyperscreen dashboard features three displays under one 56-inch curved glass surface: a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a huge 17.7-inch central OLED touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger.

Serene Breeze EQ sound experience
This is another new standard feature in the 2024 EQE SUV. It consists of restful sounds designed to smooth a furrowed brow.

New for 2024, the EQE 350+ and EQE 500 4Matic now have a 96-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery. The EQE 350 4Matic receives a 90.6-kWh equivalent. These aren’t massively more capacious than last year’s counterparts, but they improve the range slightly. For a ballpark, the 2023 EQE 350 4Matic could cover 253 miles while the 2024 can go up to 280 miles.

The BMW iX xDrive50 is more expensive and powerful, it’s rated at 305 miles. The Audi Q8 e-tron has a 114-kWh battery and can cover 285 miles. A Cadillac Lyriq with all-wheel drive is rated at 307 miles.

Replenishing the battery from 10 to 80 percent using a DC fast charger takes 32 minutes. That’s pretty much the same as the Audi and BMW contenders.

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 among European automakers. The EQE SUV’s batteries are covered for ten years or 155,000 miles, which is better than most.

Safety Ratings

The Mercedes-EQ EQE SUV hasn’t been crash-tested by any agencies in the United States, but it did earn the maximum five stars overall from the similar Euro NCAP program.