2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE Preview

Until recently, it may have appeared as though Mercedes-Benz has simply been dabbling in vehicle electrification. A few plug-in hybrids here, an underwhelming B-Class electric vehicle there, a promised and pulled EQC SUV – none of the automaker’s efforts appeared to revolve around a clear strategy. 

Then Mercedes introduced its flagship EQS electric sedan, and the automaker’s plans came into sharper focus. Now, at the 2021 Munich Auto Show, the automaker debuts the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE, a smaller and more affordable EV sharing its underlying vehicle architecture and technology with the EQS.

Exterior Features

To get a sense of how large the new 2023 Mercedes EQE is, the company says it is about the same size as today’s CLS-Class models on the outside, but has a larger interior than the current E-Class. It is also 3.5 inches shorter than the EQS.

This context is necessary because the EQE’s design makes it hard to judge the car’s footprint. Defined by cab-forward proportions and a “one bow” styling theme that it shares with the EQS, the EQE is unusual in appearance. Short overhangs and large 19-inch to 21-inch wheels also skew perspective.

Mercedes takes this design approach to minimize aerodynamic drag and maximize interior volume. The EQE’s fast roofline tapers into the rear-end of the car, but this is not a sportback design with a hatch. Instead, the EQE has a traditional trunk.

Two additional highlights of the EQE’s design include body panels made from 100% recycled steel and optional Digital Light headlamps with animation and individualization.

Interior Features

Compared to the current E-Class, the EQE’s driver and passengers enjoy more room. Plus, the car’s cabin is higher off of the ground, in theory making it easier to enter and exit the seats. Mercedes says the driving position height is increased 2.5 inches over the E-Class.

Mercedes offers numerous ways to enhance comfort and the car’s interior mood. Both a panoramic sunroof and a 4-zone automatic climate control system are available, along with ambient cabin lighting. Several “Energizing” upgrades add fragrance, soundscape, and seating features to make the journey more enjoyable.

Of particular note is Energizing Air Control. This option installs a HEPA air filtration system that Mercedes says can separate 99.75% of all particles from the interior air. Owner can clean the EQE’s cabin air prior to driving using the pre-entry climate control system on the MercedesMe smartphone app.

Under the Hood

The first of the EQE models to arrive is the EQE 350. It is a rear-wheel-drive model supplying 288 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque from a permanently excited synchronous electric motor (PSM) mounted at the rear axle. An EQE 350 4Matic version is reportedly coming with a second electric motor located at the front axle. Expect a Mercedes-AMG EQE variant, too.

A lithium-ion battery supplies up to 90 kWh of usable electricity, and Mercedes claims it provides as much as 660 kilometers (410 miles) of driving range on the WLTP measurement cycle. When the EQE arrives in the U.S., expect a lower EPA range measurement. Mercedes points out that the battery’s active materials are used in the following proportions: 80% nickel, 10% cobalt, and 10% manganese.

Three levels of brake energy regeneration help to extend battery life, and the car allows for one-pedal driving. Drivers can also choose between Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual driving modes. Additionally, the EQE includes a driving mode that owners can activate for young drivers, limiting maximum speed to 75 mph. A Valet mode further restricts the EQE’s velocity to 50 mph.

The 2023 Mercedes EQE is compatible with up to 170 kW DC fast chargers. When using one, the automaker says it takes 15 minutes to grab 250 km (155 mi) of range, and just over half an hour to recharge the battery to 80% capacity. When charging at home, the EQE replenishes an empty battery in 8.25 hours using an 11 kW Level 2 home charging station. Install a more powerful charger, and it takes less time. 

Through its MercedesMe Charge network, EQE owners will have access to over 60,000 charging stations in the U.S. Some of these charging stations will work with the EQE’s Plug & Charge capability. Owners will simply plug the car in and it will start charging without any additional effort on the part of the driver. All communication between the car and the charger occurs automatically, including an automatic payment function.

To improve ride and handling, the new Mercedes EQE is available with an Airmatic air suspension with adaptive damping and a rear-axle steering system that adjusts the rear wheels up to 10 degrees for improved maneuverability.

Safety Systems

Mercedes-Benz prioritizes safety, and when it comes to the EQE, that extends to first responders who might be called to the scene of a collision. In addition to optimizing the battery location for protection from water damage and safety in a crash. Mercedes equips the EQE with an automatic battery shut-off that activates in a collision. Should this fail to work as expected, or if the post-crash situation changes, emergency responders can manually shut the EQE’s battery down.

To avoid a collision in the first place, every 2023 Mercedes EQE will come with a standard Driving Assist Package. It provides basic advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and more.

A Driving Assist Package Plus is an option. It contains numerous active ADAS technologies related to adaptive cruise control, steering assistance including for evasive actions, lane-keeping and lane-changing, blind spots, and cross-traffic monitoring. It also installs an active emergency stop assistance technology that can help in the event of a medical emergency. Additional driving aids are related to parking the EQE.

The Mercedes EQE’s Attention Assist driving monitoring system also adds a new microsleep detection capability. It uses a camera to analyze the driver’s eyelid movements, but is available only with the car’s optional Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) Hyperscreen technology.

Infotainment and Technology

The Mercedes EQE is the second of the automaker’s electric vehicles to get an MBUX Hyperscreen option. Using three different screens for instrumentation, driver infotainment, and front passenger infotainment, the MBUX Hyperscreen houses them under a single piece of curved glass spanning the width of the car’s dashboard in dramatic fashion.

In addition to custom display themes and a Hey Mercedes digital voice assistant supporting 27 different languages, MBUX continually learns and adapts to the EQE’s owner. It also offers a Zero Layer concept that takes the situation and context into consideration to surface the right applications on the display screens at the right time. Over-the-air update capability ensures that MBUX remains up-to-date.

A navigation system with electric intelligence plans the fastest route to your destination that includes charging stops. Owners can set “favorite” charging locations, and the route planning will take that into consideration. The navigation system also tells drivers when they’ve exceeded the EQE’s ability to return to the trip’s starting point on the battery’s remaining range without stopping to recharge the car.

An optional 15-speaker Burmester surround-sound system adds more interior soundscapes to the EQE, while an available widescreen head-up display aims to limit driver distraction.

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE Competitors

The world is on the cusp of its EV revolution. While the Tesla Model S is an obvious EQE competitor, the car will also battle vehicles such as the upcoming Audi A6 E-tron, Genesis G80 Electrified, and others from the world’s global luxury brands.

Mercedes-Benz is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of September 6, 2021, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.

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