Mercedes-Benz EQE 500: First Drive Review

Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 combines instant performance, technology, and luxury into one useful package.

The public has very high expectations for Mercedes-Benz EQE 500. For the majority of people, it is the best luxury brand because of its audacious strategy. But they’re exercising caution with their electric vehicles. For what reason is that the case?

The ex-showroom price of the luxurious electric SUV, the EQE, is Rs 1.4 crore. The BMW iX and Audi Q8 e-tron are two additional electric SUVs to take into account at that price range of Mercedes-Benz EQE 500.

Subtle, Not Shouty

The majority of manufacturers have opted to publicly announce their transition to electric power. Not Benz. Their EVs appear to have been billed out of a single block, including the EQE. Surfaces are generally subtle in style, smooth, and easy on the eyes.

In most situations, it’s difficult to consider the EQE500 an SUV. It appears deceptively small in photos. The size looks appropriate for the price in person. It doesn’t appear to have the same presence, though, as the GLE or GLS, two reasonably priced models from Mercedes’ own lineup.

That being said, there’s plenty to gaze at. Over 270 small, three-pointed stars are arranged on the grille; they resemble the prints on Louis Vuitton and Gucci handbags. A sense of occasion, but unnecessary nonetheless. With a thin light bar connecting the two, the headlamps themselves feature 1.3 million LED light pixels each.

The side profile’s highlights include the massive 20-inch alloy wheels, the motorized door handles that fit flush, and the subtly placed “EQE” branding next to the A-pillar. The rather unusual location for the washer-wiper fluid filling is also visible from the co-driver’s side. The rear features fake vents in the bumpers and a large connected tail lamp with intriguing graphics, as is typical of Mercedes EQ models.

The EQE doesn’t make a big impression on the roads, despite its obvious expensive appearance. Those who don’t think it’s appropriate to show off their wealth will probably find this design appealing.

Being Familiar Is Good!

Before you got your hands on the EQE, chances are you’ve driven a Mercedes. This implies that you’ll recognize a lot of things and feel right at home almost right away.

Just slightly modified to fit the EQE’s dimensions, the design is an exact duplicate of the flagship EQS. As classic as it gets, with its wraparound dashboard, the elaborate circular air conditioning vents, and the way leather, wood, screen, and light interact.

As anticipated, the quality is also, for the most part, excellent. All that you come into contact with feels sturdy and luxurious. The open-pore wood on the central tunnel, which is adorned with Mercedes logos for added effect, feels incredibly rich, and the clicks from the AC vents are incredibly satisfying. There are a few exceptions, like the USB charging enclosures at the front and back, and the plastic panel behind the seat controls.

The EQE feels about average in terms of practicality. There is more than enough room for four six-footers. The seat squab is shorter than rear seat occupants would have preferred, depriving them of essential underthigh support. Mercedes has made an attempt to address this by slightly lowering the hip point, but it doesn’t completely resolve the problem. Furthermore, it is obviously less rear-seat-focused than other Mercedes cars in this price range. There are no sunblinds, no rear entertainment options, no armrest controls, and no other amenities for the occupants save the two climate control zones and chargers.

The EQE is a perfect fit for a family vehicle. With 520 liters of space, the spare wheel takes up some of the boot’s capacity. Thus, even though the EQE’s range allows you to take lengthy weekend trips, the boot space may be a problem.

Features

The EQE SUV comes equipped with every feature you could want at this price range. This comprises:

You’ll have a truly opulent experience thanks to the combination of all these features.

But the standout feature has to be Mercedes-Benz’s recognizable “Hyperscreen.” Three screens are combined here: one for the instrument cluster, one for the front passenger, and one for the center screen.

As one might anticipate, all three have excellent display quality, and the UI is simple to use.

The entertaining addition of the front passenger screen is limited in its use. For instance, the passenger is free to change the settings or turn on the music without upsetting the driver. It’s easier to use your phone or iPad instead of Bluetooth earphones, though you can still connect them to the screen.

Performance

The large 90.5kWh battery of the Mercedes-Benz EQE is nearly twice as large as the battery found in less expensive EVs. Although 550 km is the stated range, you should really expect about 400 km in real driving.

An 170kW DC fast charger can charge the EQE500 from 10% to 80% capacity in about half an hour. It takes roughly five to six hours to charge a device from 10 to 100 percent if you use the 22kW AC home wallbox charger.

Its 408 PS and 858 Nm of instantaneous torque come from a very potent engine. You won’t, however, constantly feel the need to drive it quickly or with enthusiasm. A robust and smooth power delivery is the goal.

Driving is easy within the city. The accelerator’s response is incredibly easy to get used to. The paddle shifters allow you to choose the degree of regenerative braking; however, this vehicle does not have a one-pedal driving mode.It is very comfortable to cruise at speeds that are illegal in our country while driving on the highway.

Merecedes:Benz is aware that electric vehicles (EVs) lack the thrill of operating a car that runs on gasoline. Thus, they have made an effort to liven up the driving experience by including a variety of sound modes that can be chosen via the touchscreen. There’s “Roaring Pulse” (sounds like a sportscar), “Vivid Flux” (sounds like futuristic techno), and “Silver Waves” (sounds like a V6 petrol engine).

Ride and Handling

The experience is extremely comfortable, just as one might anticipate from a Mercedes-Benz. The EQE500 has big 20-inch alloy wheels, but the tires’ plenty of cushioning helps lessen the impact. When driving on extremely poor surfaces, you will notice a noticeable side-to-side movement of the vehicle.

The ground clearance is not precisely known. But the EQE ought to perform admirably under most Indian circumstances. Its air suspension allows you to increase the ride height by 20 mm. You should feel even more at ease as a result. But since we have problems with ground clearance with Mercedes’ EQC electric SUV, we want to test this on well-traveled road

Verdict

The Mercedes-Benz EQE500 4MATIC SUV costs Rs 1.39 crore (ex-showroom) and is a fully imported model. The EQE’s opulent cabin, cutting-edge technology, and electric price are the primary factors to take into account. However, SUVs like the GLE or GLS will make more sense if you need more room and a larger car for your family.

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