The entry point to Mercedes’s electric sedan family is a compelling interpretation of what a zero-emissions E-Class should offer.
2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE300
Mercedes-Benz is one of the most prolific in its introduction of electrified models, offering an ever expanding range of zero-emissions vehicles that also feature many of the brand’s typical luxury touches.
Taking the EQ electric family to six is the EQE. Unlike a majority of the Mercedes EQ SUV family, the latest model introduces a second sedan to the range, providing an E-Class-sized sibling to the larger EQS.
It arguably slots into a niche market with the popularity of sedan cars of all types yielding to the tide of SUVs, but there’s still a loyal audience (particularly in the premium arena) that a three-variant EQE line-up will be targeting.
But if you’re holding out for the higher-riding version, the EQE sedan offers a glimpse of what we can expect form the EQE SUV ahead of its imminent arrival in Australia.
How much does the Mercedes-Benz EQE cost in Australia?
There are three EQE versions to choose from in Australia, including a mid-range EQE350 priced from about $155,000 or one that wears the iconic AMG badge at the top of the pile – the EQE53 – for $214,900.
The most affordable route into an EQE, however, is this, the entry-level EQE300 priced from $133,575 before on-road costs.
If forfeits one drive motor and all-wheel drive compared with the two more expensive options, and is the only version to have rear-wheel drive and a single motor.
It also has a slightly smaller battery with a capacity of 89kWh compared with the 91kWh unit that powers the other two.
Standard equipment highlights for the EQE300 include leather upholstery, 20-inch wheels, digital LED adaptive headlights, panoramic sunroof, head-up display, high-quality Burmester sound system, and large digital displays for the driver’s cluster and central information and entertainment screen.
Apart from the EQE350’s AWD drivetrain, both cars share identical levels of equipment.
For those wanting to customise a more unique version of the EQE300, a range of optional equipment is on offer to add to the bottom line including rear-wheel steering, air suspension, 21-inch wheels, a range of interior trim upgrades, along with special Manufaktur paint colours.
| Key details | 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE300 |
| Price | $133,575 plus on-road costs |
| Colour of test car | Alpine Grey |
| Options | Premium paint – $2200 |
| Price as tested | $135,775 plus on-road costs |
| Rivals | BMW i5 | Porsche Taycan RWD |
How much space does the Mercedes-Benz EQE have inside?
It mightn’t have the proportions of an SUV on the outside, but the EQE’s cabin is wonderfully spacious on the inside. With no propshaft to take power from a conventional engine at the front to the rear wheels, there’s no tunnel intrusion to the cabin and lots of storage options in and under the centre console.
The removable and folding cupholders located in the centre console are a nice touch, while there’s a surprising amount of storage space beneath with an unusual open tray with elastic securing strap that sits almost on the floor.
The same tunnel-less feature offers massive amounts of foot and leg room in the rear seats, thanks also in part to a long wheelbase of 3120mm, almost as long as that of a three-row GLS SUV. Space all round is abundant with plenty of headroom in both rows of seating, generous knee room, and the standard panoramic roof increases the sense of space.
Visibility out is also correspondingly good, apart from in the rearward direction where the EQE’s low-drag design has resulted in a tiny rear window. Luckily, there’s plenty of driver assistance equipment and manoeuvring aids to compensate.
All versions of the EQE have leather upholstery as standard, with no option to fit out the cabin with ‘vegan’ textiles. You might laugh, but ‘cruelty free’ is a buzz topic and gaining momentum in all markets including the premium end.
At the very back you’ll find a 430L boot that can be extended into the cabin via 40:20:40-split folding seats.
Despite its relationship in size and Mercedes family positioning, the EQE offers more space than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class apart from in the boot where the longer-standing Marc gets 500L.
Cabin comfort features are widespread and enhance the generally good luxury feel throughout the interior. Once only offered to the very highest grade models and variants, colour-changing interior ambient lighting now finds its way into the most affordable version of this model.
There are also plenty of charging and power options for devices, including USB-C points for front and rear passengers.
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE300 | |
| Seats | Five |
| Boot volume | 430L |
| Length | 4949mm |
| Width | 1906mm |
| Height | 1506mm |
| Wheelbase | 3120mm |
Does the Mercedes-Benz EQE have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
The EQE range allows smartphone mirroring for both Apple and Android devices and wireless or cable-connected options for both. Add to that wireless device charging for front occupants and the connectivity levels are up there with the best.
In addition, there are all the benefits of Mercedes’s excellent MBUX operating system and integrated Mercedes Me applications. This includes one of the best voice-operated systems we’ve used, excellent native navigation system with augmented reality, clever geofencing tech, and fingerprint scanning for added security.
With the exception of some AMG branding and driving optimising technology, there’s not a lot of technology that the entry EQE misses out on compared with the range-topper AMG EQE53.
Unlike the EQS, the EQE300 isn’t offered with the stunning Hyperscreen, which fuses three separate digital displays into one continuous panel extending the full width of the dash. The big expanse of flat dash in front of the passenger does look little empty as a result.
That said, if you didn’t know about Mercedes’s unique display, you probably wouldn’t miss it in the EQE. Firstly, the 12.3-inch driver’s instrument cluster is sharp and attractive, and can be customised through various design themes as well as more personalisation options once you’ve chosen your favourite look.
Then there’s the vast organic LED central screen that is even brighter in its colours, resolution and attractiveness. Whereas some other brand’s large screens can be a little flummoxing, the MBUX is instantly intuitive and is refreshingly logical in its operation.
Even little touches such as solid-state, touch-sensitive buttons and slide bars such as the volume control – which other manufacturers have struggled with – work well in practice.
Is the Mercedes-Benz EQE a safe car?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is renowned for its safety technology and features, so it’s perhaps unsurprising that the EQE should follow that lead and score very well in safety testing.
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) awarded the EQE the full five-star rating when it was evaluated in 2022 with excellent performance in virtually all areas.
Protection for all occupants was particularly high-scoring with 95 per cent awarded for adult occupants and 92 per cent for children. With the most comprehensive AEB as standard for all variants, vulnerable road user protection and safety assist also scored well with 83 and 82 per cent respectively.
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE300 | |
| ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2022) |
| Safety report | Link to ANCAP report |
What safety technology does the Mercedes-Benz EQE have?
Included in the impressive set of safety equipment are 10 airbags, adaptive cruise control, active brake assistance with cross-traffic, active lane-change assistance, 360-degree camera, active blind-spot assistance, lane-keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition, and even a high-vis vest for if you need to be outside the vehicle in hazardous areas.
Among the plethora of interesting sounds the EQE makes, one such exterior noise is intended to alert pedestrians and other vulnerable road users of its presence, such as while crawling around car parks.
A 360-degree camera is standard and is one of the best executions of the ‘magic bird’s eye’ view we’ve used; however, parking distance radar front and rear is paranoid to the point of being useless.
With up to 300mm or more of clearance from obstacles, the proximity warning sound would often turn to a continuous beep (implying contact was imminent) while the corresponding display turned red. At this point the system was no benefit for parking and good old-fashioned mirrors were the only way to park in tight spaces.
How much does the Mercedes-Benz EQE cost to maintain?
Mercedes does not offer a capped-price servicing plan for the EQE, but goes almost to that extent with a three-year deal that includes all scheduled maintenance and costs $1950.
That may initially appear cheap, but it’s hard to compare with conventional combustion-powered vehicles as there are fewer serviceable items such as engine oil and filter.
Customers can choose to pay for maintenance on an annual basis and service intervals are 15,000km. Mercedes covers the EQE – as with all new models – with an unlimited-kilometre, five-year warranty.
Full comprehensive insurance for the EQE300 is a relatively expensive exercise costing $3927 per year based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates will vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
| At a glance | 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE300 |
| Warranty | Five years, unlimited km |
| Service intervals | 15,000km |
| Servicing costs | $1950 (3 years) |
Is the Mercedes-Benz EQE energy-efficient?
During our time with the EQE, we subjected it to a combination of B-road, suburban and metropolitan driving.
Regenerative braking can be set to three levels of aggressiveness, but we found the most efficient way to drive the EQE was in the lowest regen setting, as the big Merc appeared to prefer coasting rather than trying to reclaim spent energy.
Given the type of driving, a slightly less energy-efficient result is unsurprising, and an indicated figure of about 18kWh/100km is still respectable for an EV of its size and performance.
A super slippery exterior design certainly helps the EQE achieve this frugality, and is all the more impressive considering it wears sports-car-like 285/35 R20 Bridgestone tyres on the rear axle.
Energy Consumption – brought to you by bp
| Energy Efficiency | Energy Stats |
| Energy cons. (claimed) | 16.3kWh/100km |
| Energy cons. (on test) | 18.6kWh/100km |
| Battery size | 89kWh |
| Driving range claim (WLTP) | 508km |
| Charge time (11kW) | 9h 05min |
| Charge time (50kW) | 2h 01min |
| Charge time (170kW max rate) | 31min (10–80%) |
What is the Mercedes-Benz EQE like to drive?
As you might expect from the badge, the AMG version of this car is all about leaving a memorable driving experience with stratospheric acceleration, traction and dynamics. The entry-level version, however, is a completely different proposition.
Firstly, it’s hard to put your finger where its performance is positioned. It’s sort of fast and sort of not, with acceleration that’s a little lazy off the mark but wonderfully strong once on the move.
The figures don’t really help either. Zero to 100km/h takes a claimed 7.3 seconds, which is not quite hot hatch territory and is fairly forgettable in practice. 180kW is also not headline stuff for a Mercedes when you consider a humble C-Class (in this case, the C300) has more.
However, with 550Nm available pretty much anytime you want it, the EQE300 has a bizarre swiftness about it. Accompanied by almost silence at any speed, the driving experience is surreal and likeable indeed.
Actually, it’s only silent when required because one of our favourite features are the EQE’s Sound Experience options, which play a synthetic noise through the stereo speakers and outside according to driving style.
Vivid Flux sounds like the whining buzz of a vintage Melbourne tram and easily the most electric noise of the three options. Silver Waves is similar in sound to a straight-six petrol engine and deeply satisfying, but Roaring Pulse was our clear favourite. It produces a sound that’s similar to the crackling rumble of the spacecraft in Close Encounters, and instead of rising in tone with vehicle speed, it simply builds in volume and intensity with the throttle application.
The EQE is always making some kind of sound, whether it’s the quiet instrumental when stationary that’s akin to day spa waiting room music, or the range of chimes and strange noises when locking, unlocking, starting etc. We absolutely loved it all.
While the performance is polarising, the EQE’s ride is unequivocally exemplary. Especially commendable as our example is rolling on the standard steel spring suspension, not the optional air.
Speaking of options, rear steering hadn’t been added either, which would be a welcome investment for tighter spaces as the EQE has a relatively big turning circle at 12.5m. That said, rear steering only shortens it to 11.7m.
A long arc is a product of the stretched wheelbase – good for occupant space, but not so good for negotiating ramps and we managed to belly-out on more than one occasion.
With more space to enjoy, the EQE is the quintessential Mercedes cruiser, and is intensely relaxing to live with when there are many kilometres to get through. Oh, and if the way ahead happens to be more than 600km, that’s not to worry as the entry EQE has the longest range and a claimed 508km (WLTP) range – or a more ambitious claimed 626km on the more lenient NEDC test cycle. Absolutely huge.
| Key details | 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE300 |
| Motor | Single electric motor |
| Power | 180kW |
| Torque | 550Nm |
| Drive type | Rear-wheel drive |
| Transmission | Single-speed |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 75.6kW/t |
| Weight (kerb) | 2380kg |
| Spare tyre type | Tyre repair kit |
| Turning circle | 12.5m |
Should I buy a Mercedes-Benz EQE300?
If you’re a longstanding fan or owner of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class – and Australia has plenty of those – and you’re ready to make the jump from combustion or hybrid to full electrification, the EQE will make the transition as smooth as you can get.
The driving experience is typically Mercedes, the quality and comfort are typically E-Class, and the advantages to interior space and tech will feel like deal sweeteners to the seasoned E-Class owner.
Furthermore, if more than 500km of range can’t help you get over so-called ‘range anxiety’, then I’m afraid there aren’t many other options that can help you.
With its large overall proportions and, in particular, that long wheelbase, the EQE is not best lived with about town despite an efficient electric system that is well suited to stop/start traffic. However, the benefits are even better applied to the open road, where low drag and excellent mile-munching manners are best enjoyed.
If this all looks to be fine in practice but a sedan simply isn’t for you, then you won’t have long to wait for the EQE SUV. It promises to offer much, if not all, of the pleasant ownership experience, plus even more of that magic carpet feel thanks to a few more millimetres passing underneath.
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