Mercedes-Benz is on a mission to make luxury electric vehicles really stand out. This is tough, especially when tech is the raison d’etre for EVs in general and more mainstream EVs are packing tons of tech. The powertrain is another area where it’s difficult to stand out, since EV power generally lacks character. With that being said, the Mercedes-AMG EQE Sedan left a great first impression, so naturally, my expectations were high getting into the 2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE AMG SUV.
I can’t think of many other automakers leaning into bespoke EVs the way Mercedes is. Yes, Porsche has the Taycan, but virtually everyone else is simply making electric versions of gas-powered vehicles, like the BMW i5 or the Audi Q8 E-Tron. With the EQ lineup, Mercedes has not only created completely unique electric offerings tying into their internal combustion counterparts in name only, but they’ve also AMG-ified them. I, for one, am here for it.
When the EQ lineup first burst onto the scene, my initial impression was … bleh. They didn’t look traditionally handsome despite how hard Mercedes tried, but that’s because they went with more of a function-over-form approach, emphasizing aerodynamics above almost all else. The result? A mostly weird, melted-jelly-bean look. Thankfully, the SUV versions look more traditional than the sedans; yes, the edges are still rounded and soft, and there’s still a ‘something is melting’ look to the EQE AMG SUV, but it still works. It looks good dressed in all black, attracting loads of compliments especially rolling on the turbine-style 22-inch wheels.
The EQE’s large faux grille does a good job at giving off the traditional-yet-imposing vibe we’ve seen on other Benzes; the headlights look like prototypical Mercedes bejewelled units and have some really neat on/off projection animations. I’d say there’s just enough chrome trim on the exterior to look classy, and I even liked the running boards. I could do without the taillights-connected-by-a-lightbar motif that almost every other EV does today, but the lighting elements themselves look distinctive once lit.
The EQE AMG SUV’s interior is very well-appointed. This particular tester had black leather upholstery with racy red seatbelts, plus the MBUX Hyperscreen infotainment adorning the dashboard. Because Mercedes uses a column-mounted shifter, the centre console cubby is cavernous. Hidden beneath the (beautiful) carbon fibre-trimmed lid are two usable cupholders plus a wireless charging pad. There’s also some open storage below, where you could easily fit a small laptop. It’s a useful and well-thought-out cabin that looks premium during the day, but like Las Vegas, it really comes to life at night.
Ambient lighting is something Mercedes clearly takes pride in. I’ve never flown first-class, but I imagine an Emirates first-class cabin looks something like this. A multi-function LED strip runs the entire length of the hyperscreen and continues through the doors. You can set a solid colour or a subtle colourful wave that feels surprisingly comforting. [If it isn’t set to Miami Rose, you’re doing it wrong. —Ed.] The ambient lighting is also interactive, changing colours for a split second when adjusting the climate control, or flashing red when certain safety assists are triggered. More LED strips run vertically alongside the front seats, in the door pockets, along the roof, and even the backseat passengers are treated to ambient lighting. It sounds like too much at first, but once you see and experience it in person, Mercedes-Benz nailed it.
I’m used to the MBUX infotainment at this point. Once you figure out the learning curve, it’s relatively easy to navigate thanks in part to large digital buttons on a large screen all the time, the high-resolution graphics, and minimal to no lag to inputs, but the third passenger screen still feels useless to me. The 15-speaker, 710-watt Burmester sound system is fantastic, offering up a warm sound profile that is both impactful and easy on the ears.
I took full advantage of this by listening to the Top Gun: Maverick soundtrack while waiting to charge up at a local fast-charging station. As always, I couldn’t find a charger that could take advantage of the 170 kW of on-board charging the EQE is capable of, so I had to settle with 50 kW from a local Flo charger to top up the 90.6 kWh battery (to a max range of 378 km). A 30-to-85 per-cent charge took about an hour; at 170 kW, Mercedes says the EQE AMG does 10-to-80 per cent in just under half an hour. But with that Burmester sound system, I was in no rush to leave.
However, if you’re ever in a rush, the EQE AMG SUV can get you to your destination rather quickly. With a healthy 617 horsepower and 701 pound-feet of torque from its dual electric motors, this Benz makes light work of any route despite a hefty curb weight of around 5,800 pounds. The power easily compensates for the weight, and the brakes do a good job of bringing all that weight to a standstill, with the regen and braking combining to bring the EQE to a stop without drama.
What may shock you the most about the EQE AMG SUV is its handling. The steering is weighted well, but it’s the sharpness and response that takes you by surprise. You can credit this to Mercedes’ trick rear-wheel steering that has the rear wheels turning in the opposite direction of the front wheels at low speeds, and in concert with the fronts at high speeds. This gives the EQE a nimbleness that most SUVs lack, so much so that you have to get used to the quick turning radius at low speeds or you’ll end up turning into a curb on a right-hander if you aren’t careful. The whole system is well-calibrated to the point it feels mostly natural, although unlike the sedan, which felt almost flawless, the EQE SUV was less than 100 per cent smooth, likely around the speed it transitions. Regardless, it’s something I would certainly option.
Like the EQE sedan, ride quality is on the stiffer side, but the SUV is the one to pick if you’re looking for the softer of the two. Even on those enormous 22-inch wheels, the ride was taut but never overly offensive, but I’m still a bit confused why Mercedes doesn’t truly lean into a comfort mode setting and soften things up significantly. What else is an adaptive suspension for?
From the driver’s seat, the 2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV does feel special. It feels deserving of the AMG badge even without the exhaust note — the spaceship sounds aren’t so bad — plus it drives oh so well, and the interior appointments reinforce the fact that you’re driving something premium. Premium and oh so expensive, clocking in at $148,305 as-tested. But for many, that is well worth the price of admission.
