UK Drive: The Mercedes EQE 350+ brings efficiency to the fore

Range is a big deal for electric vehicles. Getting a good amount of distance under your wheels between trips to the plug is essential and while big electric SUVs are a popular option at present, these heavier models don’t often offer the best levels of outright efficiency or range.

That’s where the EQE looks to change things. It’s a sleek, aerodynamic saloon designed to get the very most from the energy its batteries have stored up. We’ve been trying it out in ultra-long-distance 350+ specification.

The EQE has been a part of the Mercedes electric vehicle line-up for a little while now – it first came about in 2022 – but a revision in 2024 has equipped the EQE with a larger battery which, as a result, gives this sleek saloon a far longer range than before.

Inside, the EQE still gets all of the latest Mercedes tech, from a super-large central screen to cutting-edge assistance systems that should help to keep things on the straight and narrow. Usefully, however, Mercedes has included some quick-fire ways to turn these off should you need. The speed limit warning, for instance, can be deactivated by a press of a handy logo at the top right-hand side of the main screen.

As mentioned, 2024 saw the introduction of a larger battery to the EQE. Now measuring in at 96kWh – over the 90kWh version in the previous car – it unlocks a claimed top-end range of 429 miles, which is one of the longest available from any EV today. It’s a significant uplift on the 394 you’d get from the older EQE, too.

Performance-wise, the single rear motor produces 288bhp and enables a 0-60mph time of 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 130mph. A top-whack charging speed of 170kW means that a 10 to 80 per cent charge could be conducted in 30 minutes, though this charge speed is slightly behind rivals – the Ioniq 6 can charge at speeds of up to 350kW, for example.

In many ways, the EQE feels quite normal to drive. There’s some decent weight to the steering and the throttle is progressive and not overly sharp. Those new to the world of EVs might find this the ideal car to try out first; it feels familiar and reasonably similar to a ‘regular’ petrol or diesel car.

The performance is brisk enough – and there’s decent acceleration there should you push the throttle a little harder – but it’s the EQE’s quiet refinement and decent high-speed ride which shines through. In fact, these attributes make it feel more like a classic saloon car and, when coupled with the decent range, makes this a car which would no doubt suit high-mileage motorway drivers well. The low-speed ride leans more on the firm side of things, mind you.

The looks of the EQE are bound to get a conversation started. While there’s no mistaking it as a car from any other brand but Mercedes due to the ultra-large star on the nose, it’s not a design that you’d traditionally associate with the German firm. However, its sleek, swooping lines do help towards excellent aerodynamics, and in the world of electric vehicles, this has a very big impact.

The EQE’s look, of course, follows closely to that of the larger EQS and both have a near-pebble-like aesthetic to them. A little plain? Perhaps. But it certainly plays a big role in making this car as efficient as can be.

The EQE isn’t quite as lavishly finished as some of the other cars within the Mercedes lineup and you’ll find the odd scratchy plastic here and there. Plus, our car came with an interesting patterned effect on the entire dashboard – using the Mercedes star as a primary logo – which was a little distracting when you’re on the move. However, the overall aesthetic of the cabin is good and though there aren’t too many physical controls, there’s a small ‘bar’ of them below the main screen which makes adjusting certain elements – such as the volume – a bit easier than having to dive through the screen.

However, space is good, and the front seats are comfortably padded with plenty of adjustment available. The 430-litre boot is spacious enough for most occasions, too, and you can extend it to 895 litres by folding down the rear seats. It’s slightly less than the 470 litres you’ll get from BMW’s i4, however.

Prices for the Sport-specification EQE 350+ come in at £69,055, but a quick sweep of the Mercedes website shows similar examples trading for around £10,000 less as-new. At this price point, the EQE’s generous equipment levels make the whole package even more appealing, with features such as Apple CarPlay, adaptive LED headlights and automatic climate control all included as standard on this grade of car.

You can step up through the specifications and add more equipment but, in truth, the EQE feels best at this lower price point. Even here, you’re getting more than enough equipment to keep things interesting but without bumping the car’s price up too high.

Verdict

The EQE is the kind of long-legged electric vehicle that puts range anxiety to one side. With good equipment levels and a decent level of space, the EQE manages to deliver the kind of experience that you’d expect from a traditional petrol or diesel saloon, but with the added bonus of an electric powertrain underneath.

While expensive, the EQE delivers in a broad number of areas which makes it an excellent standard-bearer for the move towards electric vehicles.