Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV review: Packed with tech, but pricey

Aerodynamics reign supreme within the EV World and this holds very true for Mercedes’ line-up of EVs, all of which have been meticulously crafted throughout the confines of a wind tunnel. The crucial issue at play right here is that aerodynamic drag has a profound affect on an EV’s vary, and this affect intensifies exponentially the quicker you go. Consequently, this phenomenon has given rise to a brand new breed of EVs from Mercedes—ones that embody modern, low-slung, and aerodynamic designs, a stark departure from the normal shapes discovered of their inside combustion engine counterparts.

This shift in design philosophy was initially showcased by the EQS, Mercedes’ flagship EV, which bears no resemblance to the S-Class. In reality, they appeared like they got here from two completely different planets. This development continues with the not too long ago launched Mercedes EQE SUV, a state-of-the-art EV  that shares little in frequent with the GLE, its direct ICE counterpart. 

Sleek, low-slung, and aerodynamic designs, a stark departure from the normal shapes.

The overarching mission of those EQ fashions, together with the EQE SUV, is obvious; to effortlessly slice via the air, minimizing wind resistance within the pursuit of most vary. However, within the relentless quest for final aerodynamic effectivity (evidenced by the EQE SUV’s outstanding drag coefficient of simply 0.25), some facets of street presence have been sacrificed. The EQE SUV’s low-slung, rounded and easy form is extra crossover than SUV and it doesn’t have the tall bonnet and upright stance of the GLE which typical SUV house owners might want. 

However, the EQE SUV shouldn’t be a typical SUV. It’s for the new-age EV purchaser who desires the performance of an SUV but in a futuristic, tech-laden bundle. And that’s the purpose Mercedes desires to drive dwelling. It’s not nearly chasing aerodynamic perfection but extra of creating a press release about the way forward for EV design. And in India, by launching the fully-loaded EQE SUV 500 4MATIC, the assertion Mercedes desires to make is that it solely desires to offer its clients top-spec fashions. 

Mercedes EQE SUV exterior design

The EQE SUV because the nomenclature suggests is the SUV model of the EQE sedan which is but to come back to India. And because the nomenclature additionally suggests it sits above the EQC (which doesn’t have an SUV suffix), the primary all-electric Mercedes which has now been phased out from the Indian vary. The EQE SUV is therefore successfully, an even bigger, higher and extra fashionable EQC different and till the EQS SUV comes alongside, it’s the German luxurious automaker’s new electrical SUV flagship for India. And from some angles it definitely appears the half.

The EQE SUV shares little in frequent with the GLE, its direct ICE counterpart.

The stand-out function is the large black fake grille with an enormous three-pointed star sitting boldly within the centre with a constellation of tiny stars round it. This signature grille additionally options an EQ mild strip that seamlessly connects a modern pair of twin projector headlights to finish the household look. 

Strong character traces on the bonnet, a closely sculpted entrance bumper housing air intakes on the aspect and a protruding decrease chin injects a powerful dose of SUV into the aesthetics. The air intakes are primarily useful although, directing and smoothening out airflow to make the EQE SUV as slippery as potential. 

A pair of air inlets (or quite retailers) on the edges of the rear bumper additionally play a key aerodynamic position and add a little bit of character as nicely alongside with the outstanding skid plate which serves to determine the SUV credentials. The hind lights stretch throughout the tailgate as one steady mild bar while a black roof spoiler provides a component of sportiness. 

20-inch alloys look implausible.

The easy and uncluttered aspect profile with sharply raked A and B-pillars and a tapering roofline, highlights the EQE SUVs wind dishonest form. The built-in working board too has been designed holding the general aerodynamics in thoughts in addition to the 20-inch alloys which look implausible. 

Mercedes EQE SUV inside and options

There are contact screens and there’s the Hyperscreen, Mercedes’ a lot vaunted 56-inch show that spans the complete width of the dashboard. It’s honest to say Mercedes is main the touchscreen arms race with its huge, curved Hyperscreen which appears completely gorgeous and wows each driver and passenger alike. 

The Hyperscreen is customary on the EQE SUV 500 and the massive speaking (and promoting level) of the automobile. Essentially three separate screens housed in a single slab of tempered glass, the Hyperscreen is extraordinarily user-friendly and intuitive to make use of. The graphics are pin-sharp, the touchscreen very responsive and the in depth actual property on the centre display screen makes it straightforward to make use of a break up screens and a number of apps concurrently. The entrance passenger too has numerous options and capabilities to play with to maintain him occupied and entertained on lengthy drives.

56-inch show spans the complete width of the dashboard.

Complementing the Hyperscreen is a well-laid out and top quality cabin constructed which is an opulent mix of leather-based, wooden and steel. We love Merc’s signature turbine-style air vents which work nicely with meaty clicks and appears implausible too with ambient lighting illuminating the intricate spiral-shaped design. Another little bit of cool detailing is the cluster of three-pointed stars intricately veneered on the picket cowl of the central storage field.

The driving place is properly elevated and gived you an excellent outdoors view although the raked and thick A-pillar did throw up some blind spots. Like all of the latest Mercs, the EQE comes with NGT 7 which is the most recent model of the MBUX system and meaning much less buttons and extra contact interfaces. Thankfully, the aircon controls which Indian drivers continually regulate are mounted on the principle touchscreen and therefore straightforward to entry but our pet peeve, the unresponsive steering management trackpads that are irritating to make use of, hasn’t been mounted.

You anticipate each Mercedes to come back with the very best security requirements and the EQE SUV is not any exception. Apart from being protected by a number of airbags throughout you get a full 

of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) but a few of these options, like Active Brake Assist, could be a tad overzealous. It can typically set off abrupt and forceful braking when detecting pedestrians or objects that, in real-world driving eventualities, might not pose a right away menace but the way in which it really works provides you a fright. I discover it greatest to change off the Active Brake Assist but it’s one thing I’ve to do every time I begin the automobile, because the system reactivates mechanically with the ignition. 

Mercedes house owners are inclined to reside within the again seat and therefore consolation right here is paramount. The lengthy 3030mm wheelbase ensures that there’s beneficiant knee room and the sense of house you get within the cabin, enhanced by the large panoramic sunroof, is superb. You additionally get twin zone aircon and a pair of USB-C charging ports. 

In EVs which have a battery pack tends to push the ground top up (and your knees) the EQE has a fairly excessive ‘H-point’ but the rear seat itself lacks the plushness you anticipate in a Merc. Under thigh help is inadequate due to the quick squab and the again relaxation is a contact upright too  (even with most recline) which compromises consolation and it’s a pity given the EQE SUV’s chauffer pushed clientele that it doesn’t come with a plusher rear seat and even rear window solar blinds for that matter. 

The sense of house within the cabin is enhanced by the large panoramic sunroof.

There’s beneficiant quantities of cabin storage although and aside from the modestly-sized glove field the EQE SUV has massive door bins (for 1-litre bottles) a deep storage field underneath the armrest and many house within the centre console aside entrance two cupholders and a cellphone charging pad. 

Luggage house of 520 litres is first rate but it’s the house saver tyre which sits on high of the boot flooring and never beneath that significantly limits the variety of baggage you may carry. There’s no frunk to take any spill over baggage and in reality, like within the EQS, the EQE SUV’s bonnet can solely be opened on the service station. Fortunately, you shouldn’t have to go to one for 2 years or 30,000km which is the service interval. 

Mercedes EQE SUV powertrain and efficiency

With a pair of electrical motors, one for every axle, creating a mixed 408hp and a staggering 858 Nm of torque, the EQE in 500 4MATIC guise wasn’t going to be a slouch. In reality, the corporate claims that this 2580kg beast will gallop to 100kph in 4.9 seconds and go on to hit a restricted high velocity of 210kph. You have a number of drive modes; Eco, Comfort , Sport and Individual in addition to an off-road mode which differ the ability supply and suspension setting. Sport mode was my default setting as I didn’t have to fret about vary so why choose something much less? 

The EQE SUV is expectedly fast, very fast but it’s the velvety finesse with which the EQE delivers the products that places it in a category aside. 

Mercedes-Benz claims that the EQE SUV will hit 100kph in 4.9 seconds.

Yes, it rockets off the road and pins you to your seat whenever you stab the accelerator like most excessive efficiency EVs do but it’s the finely calibrated energy supply, the progressive manner wherein the EQE SUV gathers velocity that makes it extra snug and really feel much less of a jolt, particularly for the passengers. There’s a sure grace with which the EQE SUV gathers velocity virtually to the purpose off feeling aloof and the cabin has a Zen-like calmness so you find yourself driving quicker than you assume are. There’s not even the velocity warning chime (obligatory on regionally made vehicles but not on imports) to disturb you! 

The three ranges regeneration are additionally beautifully calibrated. Normal and no recuperation modes really feel fairly pure to drive and the default setting in the event you’re not apprehensive about vary. Een the strongest regeneration degree is progressive so whenever you raise off it doesn’t really feel such as you’ve hit the brakes. Speaking of brakes, the EQE SUV has a protracted pedal journey and feels  bit mushy but has ample stopping energy. 

Graphics are pin-sharp, the touchscreen very responsive.

It’s the astonishing refinement, the utter silence within the cabin that units the EQE SUV aside from different electrical SUVs. In the absence of an engine, street, wind and tyre noise all come to the fore but within the EQE SUV all these noise supply is brutally supressed. The result’s a cabin that utterly isolates you and the one sound you right here is the gradual hum of the aircon blower. 

The adjustable softly sprung air suspension too is whisper quiet and while this works nicely at gradual metropolis speeds the place you may serenely glides over potholes and bumps, the set-up is simply too comfortable (even in Dynamic mode) for high-speed driving. In reality, on undulating roads the EQE SUV pitches a good bit and rocks backward and forward and the experience velocity isn’t flat or settled accurately whenever you’re driving at an excellent lick. The suspension which has restricted wheel journey, clunks over sharp edges and ridges because it hits full extension. 

Off-road mode raises clearance by an additional 25mm.

No, this isn’t an SUV that likes to be pushed exhausting but in the event you drive a notch down you’ll be rewarded with an SUV that grips nicely, turns into corners with a pleasant fluency and feels neatly tied all the way down to the street courtesy its low slung battery pack. Like most fashionable Mercs the EQE SUV has an ideal steering which is exact and light-weight to make manouvering this 4.8-metre-long SUV very undemanding and straightforward.

The EQE SUV stunned us with its off-road capabilities within the meadows round Gulmarg the place it scooted throughout crests and lumps with out a care, the 4MATIC system working remarkably nicely distributing torque to all 4 wheels. 

The massive fear with EVs is all the time floor clearance but the EQE SUV addressed that situation convincingly, particularly in off-road mode which cranks up clearance by an additional 25mm. Okay, the EQE SUV shouldn’t be a tough core 4×4 and definitely can’t do issues a G-Class can but you don’t need to assume twice (such as you did within the EQC) of going off-tarmac or wandering down a muddy observe. 

Mercedes EQE SUV battery and vary

SUVs journey lengthy distances and therefore vary is much more essential and on that entrance, the EQE SUV delivers. A 90.5kWh battery provides a claimed vary of 550km and on our drive, which included some quick driving and frequent bursts of acceleration the battery cost dropped by simply 26 p.c over 102 km. This equates to a real-world vary of 420km, which could be very helpful given how far and few between dependable and quick public chargers nonetheless are. However, at a Mercedes dealership geared up with a 100kW DC quick charger, you may go from a ten to 80 p.c cost in simply 32 minutes. 

Mercedes EQE SUV value and verdict

EQE SUV is on the chopping fringe of the EV sport.

Priced at Rs. 1.39 crore, the EQE SUV isn’t low cost and one cause for that’s that it’s an import and never a regionally assembled mannequin which attracts larger customized duties. Also loaded into the worth is a protracted checklist of options and the most recent tech that places the EQE SUV on the chopping fringe of the EV sport. So is it price it? Those wanting a standard SUV with attention-grabbing street presence and a comfortable again seat perhaps disenchanted but in order for you final by way of refinement, silky efficiency and a automobile that may isolate you from the tough and tumble of Indian roads, nothing does it higher than the EQE SUV. No, it is not nice worth but then you definately’re paying for some key attributes you merely gained’t get in different luxurious SUVs 

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Mercedes EQE SUV video review