A new performance variant completes the growing lineup of electric crossover SUVs in the Mercedes-Benz EQ family. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, unveiled on Sunday in Paris, France, will be followed by the 2024 EQE SUV AMG with an estimated 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds, Mercedes announced on Sunday.
The EQE SUV shares the same components as the midsize EQE electric sedan but, at 191.5 inches long and with a 119.3-inch wheelbase, the EQE SUV is 5.1 inches shorter and has a 3.6-inch shorter wheelbase than its sedan counterpart. The five-seater is over 10 inches shorter than the related three-row EQS SUV, and the AMG version sits a bit lower and its bumpers make it a tad longer.
The smaller proportions and lighter weight may not translate into greater range than the EQS SUV. Instead of the larger 108-kWh battery pack in the larger EQS SUV, the new EQE SUV uses the 90.6-kWh battery from the EQE sedan. The battery powers permanent-magnet motors in essentially four configurations.
A single 215-kW motor drives the rear wheels in the base EQE 350+, generating 288 hp and 417 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes estimates a 0-60 mph time of 6.3 seconds for its lighter EQE SUV. Mercedes only revealed the weight of its heaviest model, the 5,930-pound EQE SUV AMG. The estimated range has not been disclosed, but the 550-km range on the European WLTP emissions test cycle translates to approximately 305 miles on the EPA scale.
The range will decrease as buyers climb the equipment ladder. The EQE SUV 350 4Matic adds a front motor for all-wheel drive and a bump to 564 lb-ft of torque with an estimated 0-60 mph time of 6.2 seconds.
The EQE SUV 500 4Matic comes standard with dual-motor all-wheel drive, but the combined motor output of 300 kW increases to 536 hp and 633 lb-ft of torque. The 500 4Matic goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, but the AMG EQE SUV 53 does what AMG does.
Equipped with two AMG-specific motors (Mercedes has not disclosed the size) generating 617 hp and 701 lb-ft of torque, the EQE SUV AMG matches the specs of the upcoming AMG EQE sedan. The AMG Dynamic Plus package increases power to 677 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds.
Mercedes estimates the AMG model can regain up to 100 miles of range in 15 minutes with DC fast charging. For other EQE SUV models sharing its 400-volt architecture, fast charging up to 170 kW would take 32 minutes to charge the battery from 10% to 80%.
A home or destination charger with a 240-volt output at 32 amps can fully charge the battery in 9.5 hours via the integrated 9.6-kW charger.
The first Mercedes EQ to employ a standard heat pump, the EQE SUV recycles waste heat from the drivetrain system to warm the cabin instead of using the battery, and also conserves energy in battery preconditioning.
A regenerative braking system has four selectable levels via paddle shifters; in our tests of other similarly equipped EQ models, it can bring the car to a stop for one-pedal driving but also affects the throttle feel, which takes some getting used to.
An optional air suspension with adaptive dampers comes with all-wheel-drive models, which add an Offroad mode to Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual modes. Optional rear-axle steering, up to 10 degrees, adds some agility or stability depending on speed. It’s limited to 9.0 degrees on the AMG due to the wider track and larger wheels available.
Standard features include a 12.8-inch central touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, connectivity, and wireless smartphone charging, 64-color ambient lighting, synthetic leather upholstery, Burmester sound, satellite radio, a panoramic sunroof, and 19-inch wheels.
Options range from the Mercedes Hyperscreen to a Burmester 3D immersive sound system with Dolby Atmos.
Pricing has not been announced, but the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV 350+ standard is not as well-equipped as the base EQS SUV, whose starting price exceeds $105,000. The price of the EQE sedan has also not been announced. Expect prices to be finalized before the early 2023 on-sale date for the 2023 EQE SUV. The AMG variant is expected mid-year.
