Mercedes EQE Review: The Electric Luxury Sedan That Finally Makes Letting Go of Gas Feel Easy
02.01.2026 - 10:57:12
You know that strange in?between moment when you pull into a gas station, glance at the price per gallon, and feel both guilty for the planet and trapped by habit? You want to go electric, but the choices all seem like compromises: too stiff, too techy, too plasticky, or just… not you.
Maybe you don’t want a sci?fi spaceship on wheels. Maybe you just want a comfortable, deeply quiet, beautifully made sedan that also happens to be electric. No drama. No shouting. Just effortless luxury that happens to plug in instead of fill up.
Thats exactly where the Mercedes EQE steps in.
Positioned as the all?electric counterpart to the iconic E?Class, the Mercedes EQE aims to solve the biggest pain point for would?be EV owners: finding a premium electric car that feels familiar and special at the same time. Not a gadget. Not a science project. A real luxury car that happens to run on electrons.
Why the Mercedes EQE Is the Solution Youve Been Waiting For
The Mercedes EQE is Mercedes-Benzs mid?size electric luxury sedan built on the same EVA2 platform that underpins the larger EQS, but in a more compact, city?friendly package. Its designed to be the electric daily driver for people who might otherwise buy an E?Class or BMW 5 Series but now want to cut fuel stops out of their lives.
On paper, the EQE delivers exactly what the reluctant EV convert is craving:
- Serious range: Depending on the exact model and market, WLTP figures of up to around 590 km (about 367 miles) are advertised for the most efficient rear?wheel drive variants, with real?world owners often reporting 300+ miles on a full charge in mixed driving (US EPA numbers are lower, as usual).
- Big?car comfort: Optional air suspension, quiet cabin, and the kind of ride isolation Mercedes has been honing for decades.
- High?end tech: The MBUX infotainment system, massive central display, and in some trims, the futuristic Hyperscreen spanning almost the entire dashboard.
- Familiar luxury: Materials, seating comfort, and cabin vibe are pure Mercedes, not a minimalist lab experiment.
This is the EV for drivers who want the experience of a classic luxury sedan, but updated for an electric decade.
Why this specific model?
The EV market is crowded, but the Mercedes EQE hits a sweet spot that many competitors miss: it doesnt force you to trade comfort for performance, or tech for elegance. Heres what stands out once you look past the brochure specs and into real?world use.
1. Range and efficiency that calm your nerves
Multiple tests and owner reports suggest that the EQE, especially in its single?motor rear?wheel drive forms like the EQE 300/350, is impressively efficient for a heavy luxury EV. Drivers on forums and Reddit commonly report that highway range around 250300 miles is achievable with sensible driving, which is enough to make most commutes and weekend trips feel effortless.
For you, that means fewer charge stops, less planning, and less mental overhead. You can simply drive it like a normal car and plug in at home overnight.
2. Comfort first, performance second (in a good way)
If youre cross?shopping with Tesla Model 3/Model S or BMW i5, youll notice something very quickly: the EQE is tuned for serenity more than sport. Reviewers consistently praise its ride comfort, especially with the optional AIRMATIC air suspension and rear?axle steering. It floats over broken pavement, stays quiet at speed, and feels like a proper long?distance companion.
Acceleration ranges from quick enough in the lower?powered EQE variants to genuinely fierce in AMG?tuned performance models, but the everyday experience is more about smoothness and refinement than drag?strip heroics.
3. Cabin: a cocoon of tech and tranquility
This is where Mercedes flexes. Step inside, and youre greeted by a cabin that feels more like a high?end lounge than an EV science demo. Owners often highlight:
- Excellent seats with available massage, ventilation, and extensive adjustment.
- Great sound insulation: the EQE is notably quiet at highway speeds, reducing fatigue.
- MBUX infotainment that, while complex, is powerful and feature?rich once configured to your liking.
In some trims, the MBUX Hyperscreen option fuses multiple displays under a single glass panel stretching almost the width of the dash. It looks dramatic in photos and in person. Some reviewers argue its more visual theater than necessity, but if you want the wow factor, this is it.
4. Charging: not the fastest, but solid
The EQE supports DC fast charging up to a peak around 170 kW (depending on model and region). Thats not class?leading against the very latest 800?volt systems, but its still good: in ideal conditions you can go from around 10% to 80% in roughly 3035 minutes. For day?to?day life, AC charging at home (up to 11 kW or 22 kW where available) is where the EQE truly shines. Plug in at night, wake up full. No drama.
5. Safety and assistance systems
As youd expect from Mercedes-Benz Group AG (ISIN: DE0007100000), the EQE is loaded with driver?assistance tech: adaptive cruise, lane?keeping, traffic sign recognition, and optional advanced packages that bring semi?automated driving in certain situations. The impression from most owners: once you fine?tune the settings, it takes the edge off long drives without feeling intrusive.
At a Glance: The Facts
| Feature | User Benefit |
|---|---|
| Battery capacity (around mid?90 kWh usable, model dependent) | Delivers real?world range suitable for daily commuting and long trips with fewer charging stops. |
| DC fast charging up to ~170 kW | 1080% top?ups in about half an hour under ideal conditions, making road trips viable and convenient. |
| Rear?wheel drive and dual?motor all?wheel drive variants | Choose between maximum efficiency or all?weather traction and stronger acceleration, depending on your lifestyle. |
| Optional AIRMATIC air suspension and rear?axle steering | Smoother ride and tighter turning circle, making the EQE feel both more comfortable and more maneuverable in cities. |
| MBUX infotainment with large central touchscreen, optional Hyperscreen | Modern, visually striking interface with navigation, voice control, and EV?specific info at your fingertips. |
| Advanced driver?assistance systems | Helps reduce fatigue on long freeway drives and adds an extra layer of safety in traffic. |
| Premium interior materials and high seat comfort | Long?distance journeys feel less tiring, with a cabin that looks and feels genuinely upscale. |
What Users Are Saying
Look at Reddit threads and owner forums about the Mercedes EQE and a consistent picture emerges: this is a car that impresses once you live with it, even if the spec sheet doesnt scream revolution.
The praise:
- Ride comfort and quietness are frequent highlights. Many owners compare it favorably to both older E?Class models and rival EVs, especially on highway journeys.
- Build quality and interior finish get high marks. Users note solid fit and finish, soft?touch materials, and a general sense of solidity that some competitors lack.
- Range realism: Many report that the cars projected range is honest or even slightly conservative when driven sensibly.
- Tech depth: Once configured, MBUX and the driver?assist features can make everyday driving less tiring.
The criticisms:
- Weight and handling feel: Some drivers find the EQE heavy and less agile than sportier rivals; it leans toward comfort rather than sharp dynamics.
- Infotainment complexity: The MBUX system is powerful but can feel overwhelming, with deep menus and many settings.
- Design: The rounded, aero?focused exterior styling divides opinion. Some love the futuristic smoothness; others miss the classic three?box sedan look.
- Price: Its a premium car, and total cost of ownership (particularly with higher trims and options) can climb quickly compared to some competitors.
Overall sentiment leans positive: if you prioritize comfort, quiet, and perceived quality over razor?sharp handling or bleeding?edge charging speeds, the EQE tends to delight rather than disappoint.
Alternatives vs. Mercedes EQE
The Mercedes EQE lives in a hotly contested segment. Heres how it stacks up against some of its most obvious rivals:
- Tesla Model S / Model 3 Long Range: Tesla still leads in charging network convenience (especially in regions where Superchargers dominate) and often offers slightly better efficiency and performance per dollar. However, many shoppers find Tesla interiors minimalist to a fault and build quality inconsistent. If you want a more traditional luxury feel, the EQE wins.
- BMW i5: The i5 is perhaps the EQEs closest philosophical competitor: an electric executive sedan with strong driving dynamics and a high?end interior. The BMW leans more toward sporty handling and driver involvement; the EQE leans further into cocoon?like comfort and softness. Both are excellent; your choice depends on whether you want sport sedan or luxury lounge.
- Audi Q8 e?tron / other Audi EVs: Audi is strong on design and interior ambiance too, but many of its EVs today are SUVs rather than pure sedans. If youre specifically looking for a low, sleek sedan, the EQE has a clearer lane.
- Hyundai Ioniq 6 / Kia EV6: These Korean EVs undercut the EQE significantly on price and offer excellent efficiency and charging speeds. Theyre brilliant value, but they dont quite match the Mercedes for interior opulence, badge prestige, or that old?school luxury feel.
In short: if you want the sharpest performance or the lowest price, there are alternatives. If you want an electric sedan that most closely mirrors the traditional luxury sedan experience, the Mercedes EQE sits near the top of the list.
Final Verdict
The Mercedes EQE isnt the loudest EV in the room. It doesnt try to dazzle you with wild doors or 060 times that belong on a racetrack. Instead, it does something more subtle and, for many people, more important: it makes the jump to electric feel natural.
You get the quiet, the instant torque, the freedom from gas stations. But you also get deep seats, soft materials, a calm cabin, and a driving character that feels familiar if youve ever loved a classic Mercedes sedan.
If your priorities look like this: comfort first, quality second, tech third, performance fourth, the EQE fits like a tailored suit. Its not the cheapest way into an EV, nor is it the most hardcore drivers car, but as an everyday electric luxury sedan, it hits a sweet spot few others do.
For the driver who wants to leave gasoline behind without leaving luxury behind, the Mercedes EQE is not just an option. Its the benchmark to beat.
