The Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV is a five-seat, electrically powered mid-size take on the increasingly popular concept of a high-performance SUV, delivering the same kind of over the top acceleration, handling and braking as its gas-powered counterparts.
Related: 2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV Review: More Status Symbol Than Track Monster
Packed with high-tech wizardry and a roomy and comfortable — if not particularly warm and welcoming — cabin, the EQE SUV dovetails with Mercedes’ current definition of luxury, for better or worse. While its performance is indeed impressive, the competing Tesla Model X Plaid is quicker to 60 mph, and the Rivian R1S Tri-Motor offers a nicer interior and costs less.
Cars.com Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman spent a week testing the AMG-ized version of the 2024 EQE SUV (little changes for model-year 2025) and found that it was a kick to drive — but he also found some less desirable things. Tap the link above for all of the details in his expert review; for a quicker look at some highlights, read on for five things we like about the Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV and two things we do not.
Things We Like
1. Plenty of Punch
The AMG EQE SUV is one seriously quick SUV, with relentless power that comes on in a rush. It uses a dual-motor setup driving all four wheels and delivers anywhere from a total of 308 horsepower up to an impressive 617 hp depending on which of five drive modes is selected. If that doesn’t cut it, punching up an available Boost mode briefly gets you a total of 677 hp. Each mode gets its own soundtrack, too, all of which sound more like something from a spaceship than an electric vehicle. (The synthesized options are fun to play with and can mostly be silenced if desired.)
2. Fun to Drive
More than a straight-line screamer, the AMG EQE SUV acquits itself well on back roads and is enjoyable to drive in the twisties. There’s not a lot of on-center steering feel, but both feedback and steering effort can be adjusted to the driver’s liking. Handling is neutral overall, as well. We found Comfort mode delivered the best combination of ride comfort and responsive handling. Our test vehicle came with the optional extra-large brake rotors and ceramic brake pads, too, which were more than up to the job of stopping the heavy SUV.
3. Roomy Cabin
The front seats are roomy and comfortable, with plenty of adjustments to accommodate different sizes and shapes. Average-size adults will also find plenty of legroom in the rear seats, and headroom is more than adequate all around. There’s also plenty of cargo room in spite of a higher-than-normal liftover due to the battery pack’s location under the floor.
4. Usable Tech
The dashboard is dominated by a single glass panel spanning the width of the cabin, and it encompasses three separate screens that appear to flow into one another. At the center is a huge touchscreen housing things like the climate and audio functions; it’s flanked by a configurable instrument cluster ahead of the driver and another screen to keep the front passenger entertained. The setup can be a bit overwhelming at first, but it works well once you get used to it.
5. Quick Charger
Even with its big battery, the AMG EQE SUV can charge pretty quickly thanks to a peak DC fast-charging rate of 170 kilowatts, which can add about 100 miles in as little as 15 minutes (as long as charging conditions are just right and you have access to a charging station capable of doing its part). When connected to a typical Level 2 home charger, the EQE SUV can charge at a rate of up to 9.6 kW.
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Things We Don’t Like
1. Control Quirks
The heavily digitized cockpit is impressive to look at and generally not hard to get used to, but a couple of oversights are bothersome: First, the center touchscreen is so big and wide that some of it is blocked by the thick steering-wheel rim, and the gauge cluster screen is mounted so high that it requires raising the steering wheel to avoid blocking some of the digital displays. Worse are the confounding steering-wheel-mounted touch-sensitive controls, which are all too easy to bump, unintentionally changing a setting.
2. Limited Range
Impressive performance typically comes at a cost, which in this case is the AMG EQE SUV’s unimpressive 235 miles of EPA-estimated driving range. That’s less than that of some competitors, and it’s the least range of anything in the EQE SUV lineup. The battery has a substantial 90.6 kilowatt-hours of usable capacity, but it has its work cut out for it motivating an almost 6,000-pound SUV.
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