The new EQE SUV is due on sale in 2023, with a long range and a fire-breathing 678bhp AMG variant
- Range “in excess” of 342 miles from 90kWh battery
- Optional MBUX Hyperscreen infotainment
- Flagship 678bhp EQE AMG 53 also confirmed
The Mercedes EQE SUV is here. Designed to sit above the Mercedes EQA, EQB and EQC but below the flagship EQS, the new model joins the range as a rival for cars like the BMW iX, Audi e-tron, and new Polestar 3.
Similar in its overall design to the EQS, the EQE SUV takes a number of its styling cues from its bigger brother. The EQE gets an almost identical blanked-off grille, as well as a set of headlamps distinguishable only by its two triangular lighting elements – of which the EQS has three.
The EQE will come with alloy wheels ranging in diameter from 19 to 22 inches, while optional side steps are said to improve the car’s drag coefficient. There are a number of additional creases and features in the bodywork that Mercedes says improve this car’s aerodynamics – making it as slippery as possible.
Inside, the EQE gets the option of Mercedes’ 56-inch MBUX Hyperscreen infotainment display. Comprising three screens under a single pane of glass, it’s likely to be a near-£8,000 option on the basic EQE, but standard on the AMG. Elsewhere, we expect the EQE to feature a mixture of high-end leather, wood and metal finishes, as well as plenty of driver assistance systems.
Boot space measures 520 litres, which is 20 litres bigger than the iX, but down on the e-tron’s maximum capacity. Fold the seats down in the EQE and you’ll reveal 1,675 litres in total; there’s no storage under the bonnet but the Mercedes does offer a space under the boot floor for the charge cables.
Exact EQE SUV prices and specs haven’t been revealed, but given the starting price of the smaller EQC (£72,335) and the EQE saloon (£73,450) it’s likely the EQE SUV will cost around £90,000 in its most basic guise. We expect the AMG to start from roughly £130k.
We’re also waiting on exact range and charging figures, but it’s more than likely the EQE 300 will inherit the saloon’s 90kWh battery, which depending on specs, Mercedes says will offer a range of “more than 550 kilometres (342 miles)”.
The manufacturer has confirmed that the SUV will match its saloon sibling’s 170kW maximum charge speed, which should result in a 10-80% charge time of around 30 minutes if you can find a suitably fast public charge point. A 7.4kW home wallbox is likely to take between 14 and 15 hours for a full charge.
Power and torque figures for the standard car haven’t been revealed, but we’ve slightly more information on the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 SUV at this stage. As standard, the AMG will get 617bhp and 950Nm of torque, while adding the AMG Dynamic Plus Package boosts this to 678bhp and 1,000Nm. This version will get from 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds and hit 149mph.
UK deliveries are currently pencilled in for May 2023, at which point we’ll hopefully have more accurate pricing, as well as confirmed specs – both for the normal EQE SUV and the AMG. But the Mercedes EV offensive is far from over; the maker is looking to launch a new electric car every six months, with plenty more – including an all-electric EQG G-Class – to come.
Keyword: New 2023 Mercedes EQE SUV unveiled with 342-mile range