2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE

Adapting groundbreaking features from the EQS, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE moves the electric vehicle one step closer to its golden age.

More spacious inside than a standard E-Class, the EQE’s interior is a shrine to the pleasures of travel. The cabin itself has been insulated and refined to provide maximum refuge from outside noise and road vibrations. And the new ENERGIZING AIR CONTROL Plus feature helps keep the atmosphere pure, filtering outside particles, including dust and pollution, and can even help reduce viruses and bacteria. Pre-entry climate control further allows drivers to scrub the air before they climb in.

The Mercedes-Benz User Experience system continues to evolve, offering increasing ways to intuitively control the vehicle’s functions. Nowhere is this more apparent than with the stunning MBUX Hyperscreen option, a panoramic dashboard interface with three displays tailored to driver and passenger.

EV MOTOR AND IMPLEMENTATION

With a single electric motor mounted on its rear axle, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE generates 288 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Mercedes says this setup will allow the sedan to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds on its way to an estimated top speed of 130 mph. An all-wheel-drive version EQE500 will be offered with a second electric motor powering the front wheels and producing 402 horses. Both configurations will be available with an air suspension and a rear-wheel-steering system for what should be a very smooth ride and improved maneuverability in tight spaces. We experienced the quietness and swiftness of the EQE350+ during our first drive. A set of 19-inch wheels are standard, but we expect larger rims to be offered, likely with the optional AMG Line appearance package.

CHARGING AND BATTERY POWER

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE features a 90.6-kWh battery pack that’s expected to provide a driving range of more than 300 miles. Mercedes says the battery can be charged from 10 to 100 percent in 9.5 hours using a 240-volt Level 2 charger. Plugging the EQE350 into a DC fast-charger is said to charge its battery from 10 to 80 percent in 31 minutes, according to Mercedes.

INTERIOR, CONVENIENCE, AND BOOTH

The environment looks exponentially more futuristic when fitted with the optional Hyperscreen, which turns the dashboard into a giant glass panel with multiple digital displays. A floating center console separates the front seats, which come standard with heated and ventilated cushions. These thrones can also be upgraded with massage functions. Every EQE has a panoramic sunroof and customizable ambient interior lighting that traces the dash and doors, creating a distinct aesthetic when lit. Unfortunately, while we love the interior’s lovely aesthetic, we wish the sedan’s outward visibility was better. Its cabin can be further decked out with options such as a head-up display, four-zone climate control, and front doors that can be opened and closed automatically. The EQE’s skateboard-like electric platform is a boon to packaging, providing comfortable passenger accommodations and competitive cargo capacity.

IN-VEHICLE INFOTAINMENT AND INTERCONNECTIONS

The highlight of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE‘s infotainment system is the optional Hyperscreen, which measures 56 inches long and consists of three separate screens behind a single sweeping pane of glass. It combines a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster screen, a 17.7-inch central touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch screen for the front passenger. Utilizing the latest version of Mercedes’s MBUX software, the impressive interface allows the user to access features without having to scroll through menus or use voice commands. Without the Hyperscreen, the EQE’s standard infotainment system runs through a 12.3-inch touchscreen. It features a fingerprint scanner that lets users access individual profiles. Also standard is a Burmester sound system and a wireless device charger. During our first drive, we noted some quirks with how the navigation system’s augmented reality video feed is displayed, along with the unnecessary way the route appears on three separate screens.

PROTECTION AND DRIVER-ASSISTANCE ASPECTS

Every 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE is equipped with a host of driver-assistance technology, and it can be upgraded with an array of even more advanced equipment. The list of options includes a 360-degree camera system, automatic high-beam headlights, and a self-parking feature. During our hands-on drive, we noted some skittishness on tight roads as well as late braking. For more information about the EQE’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites

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