Get to know the Mercedes-Benz all-electric range

Apart from all the comfort and convenience, there are three attributes that dictate the driving character of a genuine luxury vehicle: effortless performance, peerless refinement and whisper-quiet ambience.

Mercedes-Benz has spent more than 135 years perfecting these traits to the point it is considered the pinnacle of luxury motoring. So, it is no surprise the German carmaker has built on this evolution with the introduction of a family of cutting-edge electric vehicles.

Battery-electric vehicles are a perfect solution for luxury car buyers because, by their very nature, they deliver the ultimate expression of refinement thanks to their seamless, quiet but powerful characteristics.

Let’s take a look at the four main members of the ground-breaking Mercedes-Benz all-electric family, which has something to offer for every luxury car buyer and comes with all the hallmarks you expect from this storied German brand.

The entry point into Mercedes-Benz’s all-electric range of dedicated electric vehicles is the EQA SUV. It’s a luxurious and compact, five-door machine that is roughly the same size as the popular Mercedes-Benz GLA, and is available in two model grades with different powertrain configurations.

The EQA 250+ has a front-mounted electric motor that produces up to 140kW of power and 385Nm of torque and is priced from $84,900* plus on-road costs, which places it below the luxury car tax threshold. The EQA 350 4MATIC has an additional electric motor on the rear axle, delivering the enhanced control and stability of all-wheel drive and even more powerful outputs of up to 215kW and 520Nm. It costs from $102,900* plus on-roads.

Both models feature an advanced 66.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack that can replenish between 10-80 per cent of its capacity in around 35 minutes using a 100kW DC fast charger, delivering an NEDC tested driving range of 489km (EQA 350) and 578km (EQA 250+).

As is typical of all Mercedes-Benz models, the EQA is equipped with an extensive list of luxurious and convenient standard features as well as a comprehensive suite of high-tech driving aids and safety systems.

Among the highlights, all EQA variants can have a high-fidelity Burmester audio system (optional on EQA 250+, standard on EQA 350), as well as ARTICO man-made leather interior trim, Thermotronic climate control air conditioning and the cutting-edge MBUX infotainment system.

‘Hey Mercedes’ voice controls make hands-free operation of a range of controls child’s play and embedded satellite navigation that features augmented reality with real-time directions illuminated on the head-up display (optional on EQA 250+, standard on EQA 350) ensures you’ll always stay on the right track.

If you need a little more interior space without sacrificing any luxuries, and yet still require a compact car to navigate through the inner-city streets, the EQB 250+ is the perfect solution.

It is essentially an SUV-style sibling to the EQA that uses the same mechanical base elements. The main difference is the EQB 250+ has a unique and taller wagon-style body with seating for seven.

Like the EQA, the EQB 250+ is equipped with an extensive array of advanced safety and driver assistance systems, including autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, automated high beams and Mercedes’ innovative emergency call function, which will automatically contact the emergency services and alert them of the precise location of the vehicle if it detects it has been involved in a serious accident. That’s life-saving technology.

For those looking for a larger vehicle, the Mercedes-Benz EQE is available as either a conventional four-door executive sedan or as a five-seat SUV. Both variants are built on Mercedes’ cutting-edge, dedicated electric vehicle platform and offer generous interior space comparable to their combustion-engined counterparts.

The EQE sedan and SUV are offered in three model grades: the EQE 300, EQE 350 4MATIC, and Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC.

All variants utilise an advanced lithium-ion battery with just over 90kWh of useable capacity and a maximum charging rate of 170kW that can replenish the cells with approximately 250km of additional driving range in under 15 minutes at an appropriate fast-charging station.

The entry-level EQE 300 has a single electric motor on the rear axle that produces up to 180kW and 550Nm and provides a NEDC tested driving range of up to 508km. The EQE 350 4MATIC has an extra motor on the front axle that increases the maximum outputs to 215kW and 765Nm and provides all-wheel drive traction, with a NEDC tested driving range of 462km.

But the AMG 53 4MATIC leads the pack for performance, with up to 460kW and 950Nm in standard trim or 505kW and 1000Nm with the optional Dynamic Pack, which delivers supercar levels of acceleration.

Both EQE body styles are designed around the theme of ‘sensual purity’ and feature a host of wind-cheating aerodynamic elements that optimise efficiency, which helps improve the overall driving range.

Inside the cabin, the packaging advantages of a battery-electric platform help liberate more interior space than a similar-sized sedan with an internal combustion engine.

The EQE also features a bold and more technical interior design, highlighted by the MBUX Hyperscreen, (optional on the EQE 300 and EQE 350 4MATIC and standard on Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC SUV and sedan), this transforms the entire dashboard into a single digital display and incorporates three separate screens (a multi-function instrument cluster, a central infotainment unit and a bespoke display in front of the passenger) behind a single piece of shaded glass.

The MBUX infotainment system is crammed with cutting-edge, convenient functions that make your drive even more enjoyable. For example, it can predict the fastest and most convenient route from home to work and back each day, incorporating calendar appointments and charging requirements.

It also learns the type of music you listen to at different times of the day and can suggest a different playlist on different routes. And can even remind you to make regular phone calls on specific days or times. It’s beyond clever.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS is the pinnacle of the brand’s electric vehicle range.

Like its smaller sibling, the EQS can be had as either a limousine or as a large and spacious seven-seat SUV. For those seeking the pinnacle of refinement, the EQS SUV is available from the ultra-luxurious Maybach sub brand.

The EQS SUV variants now have a large-capacity 116kWh battery pack with a maximum charging rate of 200kW and share a dual-motor configuration with all-wheel drive. The EQS 450 4MATIC produces up to 265kW of power and 800Nm of torque and has a tested NEDC range of 592km on a single charge. The Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 has towering outputs of up to 484kW and 950Nm.

The EQS will continue to be offered in two model grades, the standard EQS 450 4MATIC SUV and the AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ sedan, which produce maximum power outputs of 265kW/800Nm and 484kW/950Nm respectively.

The EQS sedan is one of the most aerodynamic production vehicles ever thanks to its swooping silhouette, while the interior is just as dramatic and offers a genuine blend of cutting-edge digital technology and traditional hand-crafted luxury.

The Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV goes even further, especially with the optional First Class Rear Seat package that has two sumptuous, reclining armchairs that feature heating, ventilation and massage functionality, as well as a full length centre console with heated arm rests, a fridge, champagne flute holders and fold-down tables.

These items come on top of what is already an extensive list of standard features in the regular model, including the MBUX Hyperscreen, a 15-speaker Burmester audio system, 64-colour ambient lighting and full leather trim.

Mercedes-Benz offers a range of options that make owning an electric vehicle even more convenient, including stylish wallbox chargers that can be installed at your home or workplace to replenish the battery faster than a standard wall socket, plus access to the Mercedes Me smartphone app that allows users to remotely monitor and activate certain functions of their vehicle.

From family-friendly through to ultimate luxury, the all-electric Mercedes-Benz range has a model to suit your needs – and with all the values you’d expect from the three-pointed star.

For more information on the Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle range, head to the Mercedes-Benz Australia website.

*Information accurate at the time of writing in October 2024 and is subject to change.