The electric vehicle offerings are vast from Mercedes. Its EQE midsize sedan uses style, technology and range to stand out in the growing market.
The luxury midsize sedan is the bread and butter for Mercedes, and the EQE 350 4MATIC all-electric is designed to delight buyers looking to move into the future.
For many buyers, the way the vehicle drives is an especially important part of the Mercedes experience. Luckily, the EQE drives much like the gas version of the E-Class, but even more hushed without the engine.
This sedan moves smartly with 288 hp and a generous 564 lb-ft of torque. This is Mercedes, so there is an AMG version with over 650 hp for drivers who need more go.
This Mercedes is all about its smooth ride and comfort. I checked the range on a run to Allentown, Pennsylvania, for my version of “Mike goes to White Castle,” without much hassle other than a lack of charging options on my more rural return route. Still, it managed 252 miles before I stopped in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
The Mercedes EQE 350 4MATIC is very spacious — and even more so than the gas version of the venerable E-Class.
The interior is welcoming and stands out in a lovely two-tone gray and brown leather color scheme. It is handsome in the top-tier Pinnacle trim level. Grab a seat in the ultra-comfortable heated/ventilated and massaging seats, and the miles and any stress simply melt away.
Sitting in the back seat is also a luxurious place, with all the comfort of the front seats and with ample head and legroom. The interior is outfitted in Nappa leather, wood and aluminum trim, which pleases the senses. It looks great and it feels nice to the touch.
Where the EQE sedan is different from the E-Class gas version is its modern styling. You notice the more rounded front end, with the traditional grille replaced by black panels with one large Mercedes emblem and then many smaller ones. It’s a cool design feature.
The EQE looks very aerodynamic and has its own distinctive style, with less hood and trunk space than the gas version. The large AMG wheels give the big car a nice touch of style and add some sport to the already unique look.
The EQE has a hatchback rear-end — not the normal trunk you might expect. It really opens up the car and adds some extra space when it’s time to haul bulky items.
Cost: $83,500; as tested $94,420
Safety: Active Brake Assist; Attention Assist; Adaptive Highbeam Assist; Guard 360 vehicle protection/parking damage detection; Blind Spot Assist; Surround View Camera; Parktronic with Surround View; Pre-Safe/Pre-Safe Sound; Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC; Active and Evasive Steering Assist; Active Blind Spot Assist; Active Lane Keeping & Lane Change Assist; Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function; Congestion Emergency Braking & Stop Assist; PRE-SAFE Impulse Side & PRE-SAFE Plus; Active Stop-and-Go Assist with Extended Restart in Stop-and-Go Traffic
Options: $1,620 Neva Grey/Sable Brown leather; $450 Energizing Air Control Plus; $250 Heated Steering Wheel; $300 Black Panel with Star Pattern; $850 20-inch AMG 5-spoke Aero Wheels; $450 Ventilated Seats; $1,500 Winter Package; $1,100 Acoustic Comfort Package; $2,100 AMG Line Exterior Package; $1,300 10-degree Rear Axle Steering; $1,150 Destination and Delivery
Things to know: The EQE 350 4MATIC is the electric version of the Mercedes midsize luxury sedan with technology, comfort and now a stylish, modern look to set apart its EV models in a growing market.
Pros:
- Latest technology and safety features
- Hushed cabin makes this an excellent road trip ride
- Many trim and model choices mean there is an EQE that suits most buyers
Cons:
- Price is high and adds up quickly with options
- Some learning curve for the technology
- Rear vision is hampered by the sleek body styling
