An electric SUV on the bestseller list?

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After a good year on the roads of the Mercedes EQE sedan, it is now followed by the crossover variant. Not very creative names: EQE SUV. At 4.86 metres, it is 8.3 centimeters shorter than the sedan, but 7.3 centimeters taller. Rear legroom remains generous, however, and a loading volume of 580 to 1675 liters is typical for this class.

It’s hard to tell the difference right away from its big brother, the EQS SUV, behind the wheel. We enjoy quality materials and look at the 12.9-inch screen behind the steering wheel and the 12.3-inch center display. In our opinion, you can safely do without the optional and expensive hyperscreen and invest the money in other extras more sensibly.

Because the list of options is lush. So you can variably equip the basic chassis with air springs and electronic dampers. The air suspension keeps the ground clearance constant and can be adjusted regardless of the vehicle’s load. For example, in sport mode the body is lowered by 20 millimeters at speeds above 120 km/h and by ten millimeters in comfort mode – this reduces air resistance and increases range and driving stability. At speeds of up to 60 km/h, the body can be raised 30 millimeters at the push of a button. Practical, for example on snow or unpaved roads. In off-road mode, the vehicle is automatically raised by 25 millimeters for greater ground clearance.

Five different variants

With optional but recommended rear-axle steering, the EQE SUV noticeably increases its agility and the turning circle is reduced from 12.30 meters to 10.50 meters. However, the driving variants do not differ from the sedan. In addition to the base model EQE SUV 300 (245 hp/180 kW, rear-wheel drive), there are 350+ (292 hp/215 kW, rear-wheel drive) and 350 4matic (292 hp/215 kW, 4×4). ) as well as the 500 4matic (408 hp/ 300 kW, 4×4) and the AMG 43 4matic (476 hp/350 kW, 4×4). Depending on the driver and battery, ranges are between 480 and about 600 kilometers. When it comes to charging speed, the Mercedes EQE SUV is not yet at the top level with 170 kilowatts. BMW (200 kW) or up to 270 kW Audi, Porsche, Tesla, Hyundai and Genesis are better. After all, the EQE SUV can charge a range of 230 kilometers in 15 minutes.

It doesn’t matter which drive program you choose: the 2.4-tonne crossover with 21-inch wheels is designed to be particularly tight. If you don’t want to leave the correct level to the automatic system, there are three recovery levels that can be selected using the shifters on the steering wheel. The most powerful D+ level allows us to drive almost without touching the brake pedal – but the EQE SUV is not an expert in the one-pedal drive known from other brands. The driving performance of the rear-wheel drive 350+ we used is not extreme, but it’s okay (0-100 km/h, 6.7 h, top 210 km/h), consumption during our trip was 20.4 kWh/100 km. This should result in an acceptable practical range of 500 kilometers (WLTP: 596 km).

Nothing can be less than 100,000 francs

Entry into the world of EQS SUVs starts at CHF 101,300 at 300. The rear-wheel drive 350+ we use starts at 104,300 francs. The all-wheel drive 350 4matic (from CHF 106,800) will likely be the most popular in Switzerland. Prices for the top models 500 4matic and AMG43 4matic start at CHF 115,600 and CHF 148,600 respectively. It is incomprehensible to us that the list of options is so long at these prices. The fact that you have to pay extra for Hyperscreen, Burmester sound system or air suspension is acceptable. But at least a head-up display, rear-axle steering, 22 kW on-board charger or electronic dampers should be standard in this class.

Source: Blick