2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE Review: A Classy and Quiet Tesla Fighter
- 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE: ($74,900 – $85,900)
- Pro: The Mercedes-Benz EQE is roomy, classy, and quiet.
- Con: Slower than a Tesla and not as fun to drive as the BMW i4.
It’s safe to say we went gaga over the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS, especially considering we awarded it with the “Best Driving Experience for 2022.” Luckily for us, and anyone that can afford it, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE is a smaller clone of the electrified S-Class. In fact, the EQE is the electrified version of the E-Class sedan and the latest newcomer to the Mercedes-EQ line.
We had the chance to test out the Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ and enjoyed all of the amenities that it had to offer. By the end of the week, it was clear to us that Mercedes is going after the likes of Tesla and BMW, but with the added touch of class, the German brand is known for.
What’s new for 2023?
The EQE is brand new to the Mercedes-Benz lineup and slots in below the EQS sedan. It should already be in dealer showrooms near you.
Which 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE trim level is right for you?
Researching a 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE is easy as there are only three trim levels to choose from:
- EQE 350+: $74,900
- EQE 350 4MATIC: $77,900
- EQE 500 4MATIC: $85,900
Luxury EV shoppers looking for the most value from a Mercedes-Benz EQE could find it in the entry-level model. The rear-drive EQE 350+ is generously equipped with many features like a 15-speaker Burmeister sound system, a wireless phone charging pad, in-dash navigation, and more. Our tester for the week was an EQE 350 4MATIC sedan with the Pinnacle trim level package.
How does the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE drive?
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE makes you feel like you’re driving on a luxurious cloud. With the optional sounds turned off, the motor is whisper quiet, and the only noise that can be heard from inside the cabin is from the tires rolling on the ground. Otherwise, the in-cabin experience is serene as not much wind noise can be detected.
As for driving the car, the EQE’s throttle pedal is responsive, and the brake pedal feels surprisingly linear, considering it’s an electric car. Most electric and hybrid car brake pedals feel spongey and non-linear. But the EQE feels relatively “normal” to drive. One-pedal driving is also possible with the energy recuperation setting turned up to the maximum. However, we kept it at a lower setting to make the driving experience more tolerable.
Regarding the car’s power, it’s hard to beat an electric car’s feel when it comes to acceleration. The torque is instant and comes online with the stab of the throttle at any speed. Admittedly, we missed the insane amount of torque that the larger EQS sedan provided, but the EQE was no slouch. The power was enough to push us back in our seats and impress our unsuspecting friends.
Although, it’s worth noting that the EQE’s power won’t impress any Tesla Model S fans, and it doesn’t feel as spritely as the BMW i4. Regardless, we thoroughly enjoyed the EQE’s trouble-free and smooth driving experience and wouldn’t hesitate to take it on a road trip.
How long does it take to charge an EQE?
During our week with the Mercedes EQE, we charged it once to top off the battery. Instead of charging it in our garage, we opted for a fast charger in the wild. Starting out at 53%, it took around 45 minutes to charge it up to 96% at a rate of 57 kW. It also cost us $15 to do so, which isn’t bad considering the charge gave us around 240 miles of driving range.
According to Mercedes-Benz, it should take around 9.5 hours to charge the car from 10 to 100% on a Level 2 charger. On a DC fast charger, it should take around 31 minutes to charge the car from 10 to 80%, so our real-world experience was not too far off. Your charging times may vary.
What kind of tech features does the Mercedes-Benz EQE come with?
Some of the most notable features that the base Mercedes EQE 350+ comes with include:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- MB-Tex faux-leather seat trim
- Power-operated heated front seats
- New-generation Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) multimedia system with navigation and 12.8-inch portrait-format Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) infotainment screen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Burmester premium audio system
- Fingerprint-sensor biometric driver authentication
- Power tilt/sliding panoramic sunroof
- 90.6-kWh lithium-ion propulsion battery
- EPA-estimated 305-mile driving range
Our EQE 350 4MATIC test car came in the top-trim Pinnacle form, which added:
- Driver Assistance package (Distronic adaptive cruise control, Active Lane Change Assist, active blind-spot warning, automatic emergency stop assistance, Speed Limit Assist, Active Steering Assist with Hands-Off Warning)
- Nappa leather seat coverings
- 10-degree rear-axle steering
- 20-inch AMG alloy wheels with aerodynamic panels
- Digital Light package (LED headlamps, safety warning projection function, animated welcome light)
- Winter package (heated steering wheel, rear seats, windshield washers, and windshield)
- Ventilated front seats
- Energizing Air Control Plus with HEPA filter
- Acoustic Comfort package (noise- and heat-reducing glass)
- Energizing Comfort Plus with selectable soothing nature sounds
- 110-volt charging cable
- Mercedes-Benz Star-Pattern Grille
Is the 2023 Mercedes EQE safe?
Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA has rated the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE as of this writing. However, there’s no doubt that the car is safe considering the host of safety features it has. The standard safety features include:
- Active Brake Assist
- Active Lane Keeping Assist
- Blind-spot warning
- Active High-Beam Assist
- Surround-view camera
- Parktronic parking assist (when activated, enables entering parallel or perpendicular parking spaces automatically)
There is also an optional Driver Assistance package that includes:
- Distronic adaptive cruise control
- Active Lane Change Assist
- Active Blind Spot Assist
- Active Emergency Stop Assist (safely brings the car to a halt if the driver is unresponsive)
- Traffic-sign recognition
- Active Speed Limit Assist (with Distronic activated, automatically adjusts set speed to posted speed)
- Active Steering Assist (lane-centering)
- Hands-Off Warning (reminds the driver to keep hands on the steering wheel)
How is the cargo capacity in the EQE?
There are various cubbies and storage pockets found around the cabin, which includes a large storage spot under the center console area. Unlike the EQS sedan, the EQE isn’t a hatchback and instead has a traditional trunk. That trunk measures 15 cubic feet, which is plenty of storage space for a couple of carry-on bags.
MotorBiscuit awards the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE with a score of 8.4 out of 10
The editors at MotorBiscuit award the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE an overall rating of 8.4 out of 10. We love the lavishness and smooth driving experience the Mercedes EQE provides and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone in the market. However, it’s not as performance-oriented as its competitors from Tesla and BMW and we wish that it had a few more of the features the EQS has. That said, the Mercedes-Benz EQE does well to provide a more affordable and luxurious means of EV transportation.
