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By Jonathan Crouch

Mercedes ramps up its range of large EV models with this EQE SUV. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 70

If you're planning to switch out of a large combustion-engined Mercedes SUV any time soon in favour of a full-battery model, then this is the car the brand wants you to look at, the EQE SUV. Obviously based on the EQE EV saloon, it faces tough Crossover segment competition but delivers much of the elegant luxury you get in the company's top EQS SUV in a slightly more accessible package.

Backgroundword count: 153

The EQE SUV. Of all the large fully electric models Mercedes has recently introduced on its latest second-generation Electric Vehicle Architecture platform, this one is the most important. When the S-Class-sized EQS and E-Class-sized EQE saloons were introduced, we were told each would have a separate SUV derivative. Sure enough, the EQS SUV arrived in mid-2022 to compete in Range Rover SUVIP territory. And was followed a few months after by our subject here, the EQE SUV. This model has a far tougher task, taking on accomplished bigger volume large-sized EV players like the Jaguar I-PACE, the BMW iX, the Audi E-tron quattro and the Polestar 3. Mercedes sees it as an electric version of its combustion GLE SUV and a different kind of car to its other large full-battery models. The idea is to aim at younger customers, but with pricing pushing up towards six figures, they'll need to be successful people.

Driving Experienceword count: 285

All variants use the same 89kWh (usable) battery and you have to have 4MATIC four wheel drive, plus of course the usual EV single-speed auto transmission. Things kick off with an EQE SUV 350 4MATIC variant with a 288hp output, which offers 765Nm of torque and up to 334 miles of range. There's also a more powerful EQE SUV 500 4MATIC derivative with 402bhp, 858Nm of torque and 324 miles of range. In addition, customers are also offered a couple of 4MATIC Mercedes-AMG sporting models. Choose either the AMG EQE 43, which makes 62mph in 4.3s en route to 130mph and offers 303 miles of range. Or the AMG EQE 53, which can offer 617bhp, makes 62mph in under 4s en route to 137mph and can manage up to 292 miles of range. That top AMG EQE 53 model can also be had with an 'AMG Dynamic Plus' pack, which further pushes power up to 677bhp, reduces the 62mph sprint to 3.7s and pushes the top speed to 149mph. An extra 'RACE START' mode and additional e-motor sound settings come included in that pack too. It's more relevant here though to concentrate on the mainstream 350 and 500 models, both of which come with adaptive damping, with air suspension optional. An 'off road' mode is standard, but don't expect this car to have too much off piste ability. Likely owners will be more interested in optional tarmac-orientated dynamic tools like electromechanical roll stabilisation and four-wheel steering, which can turn the rear wheels by up to 10-degrees (or 9-degrees on AMG models). Owners may also like the now-wider range of selectable drive sounds; 'Serene Breeze' is the latest option, which Mercedes claims sounds 'relaxed and natural'.

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