Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV to cost less than the sedan
German brand’s big new electric SUV boasts a $25K price advantage over its four-door sister modelThe 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV range is now available to order in Australia, ahead of first local deliveries in September, and is being offered in four distinct flavours – two of which are cheaper than their sedan counterparts.
Specifically comprising the Mercedes-Benz EQE 300, EQE 350 4MATIC, EQE 500 4MATIC and the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+, the new large electric luxury SUV line-up will start from $134,900 and top out at $189,900 (plus on-road costs).
Of course, those prices apply to the bookending EQE 300 and EQE 53 respectively, with the EQE 350 priced from $144,900 and the EQE 500 from $164,900, however, the latter will only be available “for a limited time”.
More importantly, the entry-level EQE 300 SUV is the same price as the corresponding sedan (but slightly more expensive than the cheapest BMW iX), while the EQE 350 and EQE 53 AMG are both cheaper than their equivalent sedan model – the latter by a huge $25,000.
Mercedes-Benz hasn’t given a reason for this strange positioning, but we suspect it has something to do with the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 sedan’s superior driving ranges.
Hyundai has done a similar thing with its IONIQ 6 and IONIQ 5 siblings, albeit at a lower price point.
For reference, competitors for the GLE-size EQE SUV include the Audi e-Tron (from $146,075), BMW iX ($130,900) and Jaguar I-PACE ($147,475), while the Kia EV6 (from $72,950) is also classified as a large (electric) SUV.
Included as standard in the entry-level EQE 300 is the AMG Line interior and exterior treatments, a panoramic sliding sunroof, head-up display, full smartphone integration and wireless charging, the Keyless-Go comfort package, Easy-Pack tailgate, 64-colour active ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, Digital Light package, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a 360-degree camera, and a Burmester surround sound system.
The base package rolls on 21-inch AMG alloy wheels out of the box, with the design enhanced further by the tinted windows and illuminated aluminium-look running boards.
Power and torque in this variant are rated at 180kW and 550Nm respectively, courtesy of a single electric motor mounted to the rear axle, drawing current from an 89kWh battery pack.
Spending the extra cash on the EQE 350 4MATIC (all-wheel drive) gets you pretty much the same equipment package – plus Mercedes’ proprietary ‘Transparent Bonnet’ tech – but with a more athletic, dual-motor powertrain outputting 215kW/765Nm.
The net result of the extra firepower and all-wheel drive traction is claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in 6.3 seconds, however, this figure pales in comparison with the EQE 500 4MATIC’s claimed 4.7sec sprint time.
This is possible through the fitment of more powerful motors that combine for total outputs of 300kW/858Nm and are sustained by a slightly bigger 90.5kWh battery, however, that’s where the difference between the 350 and 500 stop – the rest of the spec sheet reads exactly the same.
There are plenty of upgrades at the top of the EQE SUV tree though, with the flagship AMG 53 4MATIC+ offering more gear and performance than any of the lesser grades.
Starting with the mechanicals, the flagship’s dual-motor powertrain boasts 460kW of power and 950Nm of torque, resulting in a claimed 0-100km/h time of 3.7sec. The optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package trims that time down to 3.5sec and ups the governed top speed to 240km/h.
Dynamics and manoeuvrability are ensured through the standard inclusions of a rear axle steering system, AMG’s Active Ride Control air suspension and active torque vectoring across both axles.
Inside the cabin you’ll find a much sportier interior theme headlined by the Nappa leather AMG Performance steering wheel, AMG-specific displays and the inclusion of heated and cooled front seats.
The whole package rolls on 22-inch alloy wheels, behind which resides a high-performance braking package highlighted by the red callipers and enlarged discs.
Every EQE SUV variant offers 350kW fast-charging capability – 10-80 per cent in 32 minutes – and can be charged at up to 22kW when using a genuine AC wallbox at home.
How much does the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV cost?
300 – $134,900
350 4MATIC – $144,900
500 4MATIC – $164,900
AMG 53 4MATIC+ – $189,900
*Prices exclude on-road costs
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