Tested: 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE350 4Matic Is Much less Than Compelling

From the November 2022 difficulty of Car and Driver.

For most of our lifetimes, Mercedes-Benz has outlined the luxurious automobile. Its autos have been elegant, easy, well-mannered, technologically refined, and drenched in historical past. The firm appears to be shifting luxurious in a special path with its battery-powered EQ fashions.

These modifications are instantly obvious within the new EQE. The electrically powered E-class equal has a physique form and particulars dedicated to minimizing aero dynamic drag, admirably attaining a coefficient nearing 0.20. However, the editorial eye finds little to savor within the dumpling-like type, which droops at each ends and can be unattainable to establish as a Benz with out the big three-pointed star adorning its prow.

Inside, the EQE hews nearer to latest Mercedes designs with wonderful detailing, pretty wooden, and plush leather-based, although we may do with out the non-compulsory bordello lighting—fortunately, it may be turned off.

Logical controls, nonetheless, have been misplaced to the brand new MBUX infotainment system. It took us a number of days to determine find out how to dim the instrument lighting, whose management is buried in a menu labeled System—a class sometimes containing software program and firmware variations—relatively than within the menu labeled Lighting, the place it intuitively belongs. Even the voice-activated “Hey Mercedes” function and the proprietor’s handbook supplied no assist. Moreover, the mass of tiny controls on the steering-wheel spokes reminded us of a contemporary Formula 1 yoke and require extra dexterity than they need to.

That stated, the inside is stretch-out comfy, entrance and rear, principally as a result of the EQE is larger than the E-class sedan—2.3 inches longer, 2.5 inches wider, and 1.7 inches taller, with 7.1 extra inches within the wheelbase. Of course, a few of this extra quantity is dedicated to the 90.6-kWh battery underneath the ground.

Amazingly tranquil on most street surfaces, with pitch, roll, and vertical jolts effectively constrained, this smooth-riding electrical sedan subdues even the standard bangs from potholes and pavement joints. It’s additionally supremely hushed inside. The sounds of the electrical powertrain are muted, wind noise appears utterly absent, and street resonance is minimal. We measured a sound degree of 66 decibels at 70 mph—three decibels quieter than the E450 we examined final 12 months—however the cabin feels much more peaceable than these numbers recommend.

On the opposite hand, the 5488-pound EQE will not be probably the most agile. It simply handles some exhausting cornering effectively sufficient, with minimal roll, however most grip from the squishy Bridgestone Turanza T005 summer season rubber is barely 0.86 g, and stopping from 70 mph takes 178 toes. The tires are clearly optimized for journey, silence, and gas economic system relatively than grip.

This is suitable as a result of the EQE’s controls don’t encourage spirited driving. The steering is correct and exact, however artificial in really feel. In Sport mode, effort elevated, however not suggestions. And the brake pedal is especially odd as a result of it depresses by itself whenever you carry off the accelerator and regenerative braking commences. When you do press the pedal, there’s nearly no journey; the modulation is all from strain.

The accelerator works properly, the EQE responding with the pleasant immediacy and smoothness that typifies electrical powertrains. With 288 horsepower and a large 564 pound-feet of torque, it strikes neatly round city. The automobile reaches 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and covers the quarter-mile in 13.9 seconds at 97 mph. But the quicker you go, the much less sprightly the EQE is. Its 9.8-second time from 60 to 100 mph is little higher than the previous four-cylinder E300’s. Pull out to go on a 55-mph two-lane street, and the EQE feels rather a lot much less formidable.

The EPA has but to launch its vary estimate, however we’re anticipating it to be 300 miles. Starting at $79,050, the EQE350 4Matic is not low cost. In time, a cheaper single-motor, rear-drive model shall be provided, in addition to a 402-hp EQE500 and a 617-hp AMG EQE53.

As an electrical luxurious sedan, the EQE is comfy, quiet, and refined. But it is a disgrace Mercedes has distributed with so lots of its different conventional qualities within the quest for zero tailpipe emissions.