73 - 99
288 - 617
1 speed, Automatic
Electric
All Wheel Drive, Rear Wheel Drive
Photo: Perry Stern
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV competes in the Upper Midsize Premium SUV market segment. According to data collected from verified new-vehicle buyers for the JD Power 2023 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, 65 percent of new Upper Midsize Premium SUV buyers are male (vs. 61 percent for the industry), and the median age of a new Upper Midsize Premium SUV buyer is 58 years (vs. 56).
As part of the APEAL Study, owners rated Upper Midsize Premium SUVs in 10 primary categories. Listed below in descending order, you'll find their preferences, from their most favorite thing about the vehicle to their least favorite:
In the following sections, our independent expert analyzes a 2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV equipped with the following options:
The test vehicle's price was $127,400, including the $1,150 destination charge.
The exterior styling differences between the AMG EQE SUV and the non-AMG variants are subtle but noticeable. Up front is a specific AMG black panel grille with chrome vertical bars, AMG lettering, and a prominent Mercedes-Benz star logo in the center. Adorning the hood is an AMG emblem rather than the typical Mercedes-Benz star logo.
The lower fascia is also unique to the AMG variant, featuring high-gloss black and chrome trim. There are diffusers on the left and right to direct the air around the wheels for better efficiency, but unlike gas-powered AMG vehicles, there is no need for added airflow to the engine. Stylish, flush-mounted LED headlights complete the look.
Wheel arches are also specific to the AMG version, though not as bold as other models in the lineup. Aerodynamic alloy wheels are available in 21- or 22-inch variants. At the rear is a unique diffuser optimized for smooth airflow, featuring a simulated dual-exhaust design.
Photo: Perry Stern
The AMG EQE SUV's cabin continues the AMG performance theme with sport-style seats trimmed in Nappa leather with unique seat patterns as well as strong bolsters that provide excellent support. Mercedes embosses the front-seat headrests with the AMG emblem, further differentiating the performance version from the standard EQE SUV.
While optional on the rest of the lineup, the MBUX Hyperscreen comes standard on the AMG EQE SUV. The appropriately named large curved display covers the dashboard from one A-pillar to the other, encompassing the driver, infotainment, and passenger displays. At first, the massive screen seems overwhelming, but with so much real estate, it works quite well.
The primary infotainment display uses the navigation map as a background, with audio, communication, and other information laid over the top. With quick response and intuitive design, navigation through the system becomes second nature. Interaction is also possible via the Mercedes natural-language voice control, activated by saying, "Hey, Mercedes."
When passengers sit in front, they can activate the right-hand display, providing additional functionality. On one outing, my passenger connected an iPhone while we were driving and streamed music while Android Auto ran on my phone—a very convenient feat.
The AMG EQE SUV is the latest in a long line of high-performance Mercedes-Benz models. Like others before it, the AMG EQE SUV is the most powerful in the lineup, boasting 617 hp and 701 pound-feet of torque from its dual-motor powertrain.
The EQE's electric drive system puts an AMG-specific electric motor at each axle. It continually distributes torque between the front and rear depending on the driving situation, adjusting up to 160 times per second. According to Mercedes, these motors use adapted windings and higher currents, allowing for higher motor speeds. While the automaker doesn't publish the exact output per motor, the rear motor is more powerful, giving the SUV a sportier rear-wheel-drive bias.
With so much instant torque, the AMG EQE SUV never lacks power, even when cruising at highway speeds. Stabbing the throttle will always push you back in the seat with smooth, quiet power delivery.
The AMG EQE SUV is very quick off the line, but for those times when you need a little more power, it is available with Race Start mode with boost. Activating this system temporarily bumps output to 677 hp and 738 pound-feet of torque for an even quicker launch. According to Mercedes, using Race Start will move this midsize SUV to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds—a thrill ride for the whole family.
There is a cost to this added performance, however, and it's not just in the price of the vehicle. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the AMG EQE SUV has a driving range of 235 miles. For comparison, the EQE 350+ has an estimated range of 279 miles. That said, my AMG EQE SUV showed a range of 260 miles after charging to 100 percent, so the EPA estimates appear conservative.
Photo: Perry Stern
While the AMG EQE SUV comes with a significant power upgrade over the rest of the "standard" lineup, the powerful SUV is capable of more than just quick acceleration and straight-line speed. Like other AMG models, the AMG EQE SUV delivers incredible handling while remaining comfortable with a smooth, quiet ride.
Taking the opportunity to push the AMG EQE SUV on twisty back roads around the Pacific Northwest, I was quite impressed at how well this 5-passenger SUV performed. Steering response is quick with great feedback, and the Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires provide excellent grip through the turns. The AMG high-performance braking system with 6-piston calipers up front provides solid and predictable stopping power. Ultimately, this high-powered SUV is a blast to drive.
Adding to the overall performance is the AMG Ride Control with Adaptive Damping, which uses uniquely tuned suspension and continuously variable control valves to adjust the damping force for each wheel in just a few milliseconds. The AMG EQE SUV also features active roll stabilization, delivering excellent handling and a comfortable ride.
Mercedes-Benz offers different levels of regenerative braking on the EQE SUV. I usually like setting the regen braking on an EV to its highest level, which delivers enough braking to slow the vehicle to a stop by lifting off the throttle, also known as one-pedal driving. However, the regenerative system on the AMG EQE provides too much braking at its highest setting, making it challenging to drive the vehicle smoothly. I opted for normal regen, which slowed the SUV, but not dramatically.
While the AMG EQE SUV delivers exceptional performance, it lacks the aural experience of its gas-powered counterparts. Mercedes has tried to compensate for this with electronic sounds in the cabin designed to showcase the vehicle's performance. The AMG Sound Experience uses special speakers and a bass actuator to create sounds that match the EQE's acceleration and speed. While some drivers may enjoy this added driving feature, I found the sounds to be too artificial and turned them off.
One of my favorite features of the EQE SUV is the rear-axle steering, which can turn the rear wheels up to nine degrees. At speeds below 37 mph, the rear wheels steer opposite the front wheels for excellent maneuverability and a turning radius of just 35.8 feet. For comparison, the much smaller Honda CR-V needs 37.3 feet to complete the circle. When making quick lane changes, the wheels turn in the same direction at higher speeds for better stability.
Photo: Perry Stern
Mercedes-Benz continues to show that an EV can provide the same lofty performance levels exhibited by the brand's vaunted AMG models. The new AMG EQE SUV is a perfect example, offering an excellent blend of luxury and performance worthy of the AMG brand.
Working just as well as a daily driver around town or on the freeway as tackling a twisty country road, the powerful AMG EQE SUV is a joy to drive. With a premium and spacious interior featuring a high level of advanced technology combined with a potent electric powertrain, the AMG EQE SUV is an excellent choice for the EV shopper looking for a family-sized vehicle with the performance of a sports car.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving almost every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for JDPower.com. Recently relocated to southeast Michigan, Perry is still crazy about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
