~ A DriveWays Review ~
by Frank A. Aukofer

As the automobile industry continues its transition to electric power, an increasing number of tantalizing electric vehicles regularly appear in various price categories, including a new luxury offering from Mercedes-Benz, the 2023 EQE 350 4Matic Premium sedan.

The EQE is the German manufacturer’s fourth fully electric in the United States market, joining the EQB SUV, EQS sedan and the EQS 580 4Matic, previously reviewed in this DriveWays column.

With a base price of $79,050, including the destination charge, and an as-tested price that stretches above $94,000, depending on optional equipment, the EQE is no slouch among its luxury electric brethren from BMW, Tesla, Porsche, Polestar, Lucid and Audi.

As might be expected, it delivers sterling silent running, with an effortless zero-to-60 miles an hour acceleration time in the five-second range, plush accommodations for a driver and four passengers, and precise handling with communicative steering feedback. Handling was enhanced by 10-degree rear-axle steering. Most of all, this driver’s delight feels like a stalwart Mercedes-Benz.

With a swooping roofline from bumper to bumper, the EQE has what might have been the futuristic look of what, many years ago, was dubbed a “torpedo body,” designed to cheat the wind.

The design somewhat truncates the rear view through the back window. But never mind. With its inside and two outside mirrors properly adjusted (the original blind-spot warning), there’s never a question about what might be happening aft. The EQE does have blind-spot warning, but it’s not needed.

Power for the EQE sedan comes from two electric motors driving the front and rear wheels. Together, they deliver 288 horsepower and a whopping 564 pound-feet of torque, or twisting force. Instant substantial torque is a defining characteristic of electric motors.

The juice makes its way to all four wheels of the EQE through what is described as a direct drive, single-speed transmission. It is not a transmission—actually a benefit from the motor’s resilient torque.

This is a stylish performance luxury sedan, designed to compete against such expensive overachievers as the Porsche Taycan, Tesla Model S, Audi e-tron GT and Lucid Air.

With its 90.6 kWh battery pack, the EQE is capable of delivering a range of up to 300 driving miles, though it could be less depending on different driving habits. To enhance the range, there are four selectable driving modes to help top up the battery: no recuperation, normal, strong, and intelligent recuperation, described as ECO Assist.

The last processes information from the navigation and driving assistance systems, and automatically adjusts coasting or braking. It  brakes if you are approaching a slower moving vehicle, sending extra charge into the battery pack. It also is said to allow so-called one-pedal driving in some conditions.

With automatic climate control, an acoustic comfort package with noise reducing glass, filtered inside air and leather upholstery (perforated for heat, cooling and ventilation in the front seats), the EQE is a welcoming place for long or short distance travel. On the test car, the leather seemed to change colors depending on the light—first looking gray, and then brown. Dark wood decorated the dash and doors had white trim.

The EQE eschews the old ideal that a luxury car had to have a squishy ride as well as a cushy interior. Its air suspension system with selective damping does a credible job of soaking up road choppiness but without any floating sensations. The suspension feels more oriented toward handling than pure comfort.

Equipment, standard and optional, included a 12.8-inch center touch screen with a navigation system, Burmester premium audio, SXM satellite radio, surround-view camera with parking assist, and a dual-pane glass sunroof, which opened in front but was fixed in back.

Exterior enhancements included an impervious front grille decorated with images of the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star, as well as 20-inch AMG wheels with summer performance tires. AMG is the Mercedes high-performance tuning division.

In short, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 4Matic four-door sedan has the potential to woo some buyers away from luxury crossover sport utility vehicles. Many enthusiasts prefer the performance characteristics of the lower, wind-cheating sedan configurations over SUVs, and the EQE easily rolls into that role. Moreover, with its all-electric power train, it serves as a capable, companionable vehicle for the upcoming environmentally friendly era.

Specifications

  • Model: 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 4MATIC Premium four-door, five-passenger sedan.
  • Motors: Dual electric; 288 hp, 564 lb-ft torque.
  • Transmission: Single speed direct drive automatic with all-wheel drive.
  • Overall length: 16 feet 5 inches.
  • Height: 5 feet 5 inches.
  • EPA/SAE passenger/trunk volume: 104/15 cubic feet.
  • Weight: 5,485 pounds.
  • EPA city/highway/combined miles per gallon equivalent: 95/100/97 MPGe.
  • Range: Up to 300 miles.
  • Charging times: On 240-volt, level 2 charger: from 10% to 100%, 9.5 hours; on DC fast charger from 10% to 80%, 31 minutes.
  • Base price, including destination charge: $79,050.
  • Price as tested: $94,390.

Disclaimer: The manufacturer provided the vehicle used to conduct this test drive and review. Photos ©Mercedes-Benz