Wednesday, December 27, 2023

2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG EQE Sedan: The Luxury Brand’s Midsize EV Sedan

Highlight: The rear wheel drive and the all-wheel drive EQE 350 are priced the same.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $111,340 (Base Model: $76,050)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a blind spot assist system; an active lane keep assistance system; a high beam assist system; a 360-degree camera; a stability control system; rain-sensing wipers; and a tire pressure monitoring system




Standard Equipment (Base non AMG model): 19-inch wheels; all-electric vehicle; 288-horsepower; 90.6-kW battery; rear wheel drive configuration; a single-speed automatic transmission; DEC charging compatible; a navigation system; heated front seats with memory; pseudo leather seats; a dual zone ventilation system;  power folding side mirrors; power panoramic sunroof; a keyless entry system; a push-button ignition starter system; a brake hold feature; a 64-inch color ambient lighting; a 12-inch infotainment screen; and a navigation system specifically designed to find EV stations

Standard Equipment Test AMG Model: 20-inch AMG wheels; 617-horsepower; 230-mile driving range; rear axle steering;  dual electric motor; AMG ride control; AMG air suspension with adaptive adjustable damping; a variety of driving modes; AMG sound experience; air diffusers; rear spoiler; AMG graphics; massaging front seats; special seat covers; AMG badges on the backrests of the front seats; AMG heated steering wheel; a heads up display (HUD) system; an AMG Dynamic Plus package; parktronic with active parking assist; active steering assist; evasive steering assist; pedestrian detection system; active change lane assist; extended stop and go traffic system; AMG illuminated door sills; an electronic trunk closer; a hands free lock and unlock door system; a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment center; augmented video for navigation; and a Burmeister 3D surround system with EV sound

Options: AMG Nappa leather; natural grain anthracite linden wood; an acoustic performance package; and heated and ventilated front seats

Other Trims:

EQE 350 AWD

EQE 500 AWD

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a Burmester sound system with SiriusXM

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles

Battery Warranty: 10 years or 150,000 miles

Standard Dual Motor/Horsepower: 617-hp (test model)

Standard Fuel Mileage: 74-cty/73-hwy

EV Driving Range: 305-mile range (on non performance model)


What’s New: The all-new EQE sedan is a new addition to the Mercedes-Benz portfolio. Its available in a non performance and a performance AMG package.

Why: 

All-electric

All-electric sedan

AWD or rear wheel drive configuration based on trim

617-horsepower

Loads of technology

Great ride and handling capabilities

AMG package

A host of safety driving aids

AMG sport design front seats

Heated and ventilated seats available

Massaging front seats available

When driving at night, feels like one is in a private jet

A heated steering wheel

A variety of charging capabilities

A rear spoiler

A premium sound system

Nappa leather

21-inch wheels available

Rear axle steering

A heated windshield available

An air freshener fragrance system

Heated rear seats available

A lane changing assist system


But: 

Pricey

An oval shaped exterior design

AMG sedan only offers a 230-mile driving range

(non AMG seats)


Verdict:  In a sea of crossovers, thankfully Mercedes-Benz has made a commitment to the car market. For the 2023 model year, the German luxury brand introduces its first all-electric midsize sedan, the EQE with a host of motors. The cab forward design language, which was borrowed from the Dodge Intrepid of the nineties, guides the exterior styling for the brand.

As a footnote, during the late nineties, Mercedes-Benz purchased the Chrysler Corporation, naming the company Daimler Chrysler. Thus, this makes sense that the cab forward name resurfaces again. In our opinion, the cab forward styling this go around looks like an oval or a jellybean on the EQE sedan. It doesn’t offer the same jaw dropping flair in terms of the interior styling, as the trio of LH sedans from the nineties despite the AMG badging and horsepower.

With that said, we were fortunate to get our hands on the six figure EQE sedan with the AMG package. The performance-oriented sedan is available in two trims. Our test model resembles a glitzy high-tech computer on wheels. The power packed vehicle was driven by a 617-horsepower dual motor engine. Thus, this juiced-up EV, with its heads up display system, zooms from 0-to-60 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds.

Overall, the five-passenger vehicle we tested was outfitted with such features as an augmented navigation system to massaging front seats to an optional heated windshield. Yes, Mercedes-Benz has added everything except a fully electric vehicle. However, with this type of power, would one want this vehicle to be fully automated?

Competition: Lucid sedan

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