2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG EQE AWD: The Brand’s All-New Midsize Performance Oriented All-Electric Crossover

The Mercedes-Benz AMG EQE SUV is utilizing the brand's first all-electric charging station hub which is located on the grounds of the luxury brand's U.S. headquarter. 

Highlight: A gigantic hyperscreen, which houses the digital instrument cluster, audio system, 360-degree camera and navigation system, extends from A-pillar to A-pillar. In essence, the massive computer screen extends from the driver’s door to the front passenger right door.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $132,200 (Base Model: $79,050)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a rearview camera; vehicle stability control; traction control; adaptive high beam assist headlights; an active lane keep assist system; an electronic blindspot system; rain-sensing wipers; a pre-safe monitoring system and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment (Base Model): 19-inch wheels;  279-mile driving range; rear wheel drive; rear axle; synchronous motor; 90.6 kWh battery; free 2 years of DC Fast Charging; a rear wheel drive; 12-inch instrument cluster; a 12-inch touchscreen; pseudo leather seats; massaging front seats; a keyless entry system; an automatic climate control system; driving modes; wireless smartphone charging; illuminated door sill plates; a panoramic sunroof; fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication of the driver; a navigation system; a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel; DC quick charger compatible; power liftgate; power folding side mirrors; and a brake hold feature

Standard Equipment (AMG): 21-inch AMG spoke wheels; dual motors; 260-mile driving range; all-wheel drive; 701-lb ft of torque;170kW DC fast charging; AMG motor; Nappa steering wheel paddles; three level of steering; a one driving pedal system;  rear wheel steering; AMG floor mats; visible AMG exterior trimming; heated and ventilated front seats; AMG sports front seats; front hyperscreen; steering wheel with touch control buttons; route based speed adaption; active steering assist; evasive steering assist; active parking assist; adaptive highbeam assist; front and rear cross traffic alert with pedestrian detection and automatic braking; and active lane change assist

Options: AMG carbon fiber trim; an AMG high-performance ceramic composite braking system; AMG performance steering wheel in Nappa leather and microfiber; energizing air control plus with HEPA filter; an acoustic comfort package; summer high performance tires; 22-inch AMG wheels; red seat belts; dashcam; AMG track pace; a heated steering wheel; a black microfiber headliner; gloss black exterior mirror housings; window trim in black; a sound performance package; top speed delimiter 149-mph; AMG night package; heads up display; a four zone climate control system; and augmented video for navigation

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: AM/FM/HD Burmester Surround 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 Motors/Horsepower: 617-hp (AMG)

Standard Fuel Mileage: 77-cty/71-hwy

What’s New: The AMG EQE SUV is the newest trim to join the lineup.

Why: 

617-horsepower standard on the AMG

677-horsepower with the optional RACE START boost function

An approximate 250-mile driving range

All-wheel drive or rear wheel drive availability

An all-electric vehicle

Free 2 years of EV DC fast charging

Precision driving characteristics

Roomy

Comfortable seating

Augmented reality navigation system

Power front seats with memory

Power tilt and telescopic steering wheel

Great visibility

A panorama sunroof

Massaging front seats

22-inch AMG wheels available

Heat from the electric drive can be used during winter months to warm the interior

A 4-zone automatic climate control system

A new lane change system allows the vehicle to pass a slower vehicle without driver intervention

Voice commands eliminates one from scrolling through the infotainment screens for most features

Optional rear wheel steering helps to improve turning radius

Heated windshield washers available

A trailer assist stability system

Eligible for $7,500 federal lease credit without any income stipulations

 

But:

Its pricey

The jellybean like futuristic styling might not appeal to everyone

The lane changing system periodically activated and deactivated itself without interference by the driver

Do we really need 611 horsepower?  We prefer trading in the horsepower for additional driving range

Driver assist features are optional on the vehicle

No under the hood storge area 

Leather seats aren’t standard

The speed adjusts automatically based upon the posted speed on the road signs (there are times this might not be safe, if the car following don’t adjust their speed)

Verdict: 

For the 2024 model year, the EQE midsize all-electric vehicles upped the ante - adding the AMG version. Like all of the subbrand’s AMG models, the EQE offers features specific to the performance brand ranging from the front seats to the 21-spoke AMG specific wheels to the performance sound.

This year’s model also is outfitted with a screen-to-screen digital cluster and infotainment screen. Like wall-to-wall carpeting in a house, the all-new hyperscreen spans from the driver’s door to the front passenger seat door. This high-tech vehicle is so cutting edge that when the vehicle is parked, one can actually access a Youtube video from the infotainment screen. Go figure.

Yet, despite such high-tech features as the video and the gamer-like infotainment screen, is it too much? Is is it too glitzy for the average Mercedes-Benz buyer?  Is it distracting the driver?

Also nothing rides like a Mercedes-Benz. The vehicle is literally in a class by itself. Even with the AMG air ride control suspension, the engineering team managed to find the perfect balance in terms of drivability and road handling. Yes, this is a great vehicle to cruise at in town or on the highway.

Moreover, the optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package briefly boosts the horsepower up to 677-horsepower. Is it worth paying the extra $4,000 for this package? Probably not. Remember the standard horsepower in the dual motor all-wheel drive AMG model is a breathtaking 617-horsepower. 

Unless one is on a racetrack or there is another pandemic, when the roads arr open and void of traffic, when will one be able to use such excessive power?

Furthermore, as the infrastructure improves, allowing one to travel safely out of town without experience range anxiety, we were able to garner slightly over 260-miles on a full charge. And Mercedes-Benz like a few of its competitors offers free charging for the first two years of ownership. If one leases the vehicle for 3 years, they’ll only be responsible for one year of charging, before returning the luxurious pocket rocket to the dealership.

And if the AMG EQE is out of one’s price range, with a staring price of $111,000, before adding on options, consumers can back down, no pun intended, to the EQE, which offers a lower price and less horsepower.

Indirect Competition: Audi Q8e; BMW IX and Rivian R1S

Direct Competition: Lucid Gravity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Competition: Audi Q4 e-tron