Vehicles just like the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 SUV make me really feel sorry for on a regular basis folks to wrap their heads across the present automotive panorama.
In spite of everything, how do you clarify an expensive, egg-shaped, all-electric household SUV that slams down 1000Nm of torque and comes with full-width inside screens?
Not that it actually issues although, as this $200,000 efficiency EV isn’t precisely focused on the lots.
The EQE 53 SUV has flown below the radar since touchdown in Australia final yr and, as 2024 approaches its finish, we’ve simply had our first probability to correctly see what it’s all about.
With spectacular specs and AMG badging, the EQE 53 talks a giant recreation. And till just lately its rivals had been in brief provide.
Massive efficiency electrical SUV opponents on sale right here now embrace the Audi SQ8, BMW iX M60 and Lotus Eletre, and there are a number of extra on the way in which.
Then there’s the questionable styling of the EQE, which an AMG makeover has hardly remedied.
Nevertheless, you shouldn’t decide a guide by its cowl, and also you undoubtedly shouldn’t decide a automotive by its specs.
So, up in opposition to frightful climate circumstances alongside Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula, does the EQE 53 sink or swim?
How does the Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV in opposition to equally sized autos.
Mercedes-AMG
EQE SUV
How a lot does the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 SUV price?
The record worth of the EQE 53 SUV has risen by $2000 for the reason that sports activities/luxurious EV arrived in Australia final yr, tipping it over the $200,000 barrier as soon as on-road prices are factored in.
To see how the AMG EQE 53 SUV traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument.
What’s the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 SUV like on the within?
The EQE 53 impresses extra as a premium SUV than a efficiency mannequin, and that’s true of its inside too.
Whereas the AMG affect is equally sparing and delicate, the cabin is in any other case luxurious with a mix of high supplies, breathtaking tech and practicality.
Of these three, the tech instantly catches the attention.
This top-spec EQE comes normal with the in any other case non-compulsory MBUX Hyperscreen, a trio of digital shows spanning the width of the dashboard.
It’s concurrently intimidating and breathtaking, nonetheless, issues turn out to be extra simple when you dive into the system.
The display screen is cut up into three sections – an instrument show for the driving force and two separate infotainment shows for the driving force and passenger, respectively. Every display screen presents with AMG-specific graphics to remind you that you simply’re in ‘the sporty one’.
Every infotainment display screen has a well-known app grid format, and each shows share related performance with built-in audio, navigation, efficiency information, telephone connectivity, and automobile settings performance.
Each additionally share crisp graphics and commendable responsiveness to the touch, so that they’re a pleasure to make use of. As you’d count on in a automotive of this ilk, smartphone mirroring is wi-fi and there’s a grand complete of six USB-C shops on provide to maintain units charged.
Different tech highlights embrace highly-customisable ambient lighting, an immersive Burmeister sound system, and the motorsport-inspired ‘Observe Tempo’ driving information display screen with an acceleration timer, telemetry, and monitor maps.
Whereas the tech is well-executed general, I wasn’t a fan of the haptic steering wheel controls that may be fiddly and imprecise whenever you’re on the transfer.
Except for a elaborate lap timer, materials upgrades additionally justify the existence of this EQE 53 as an AMG.
The efficiency flagship beneficial properties an AMG steering wheel and sports activities seats, in addition to suede and alcantara door panels.
It reads like a compelling suite of upgrades on paper, however the EQE 53 doesn’t really feel massively particular. The alcantara is a pleasant contact, however for probably the most half the AMG mannequin feels extra luxurious yacht than speedboat.
Agency leather-based padding covers the armrest, whereas the steering wheel can also be trimmed in a mixture of easy and perforated leather-based.
All the most important factors of contact cross the contact check, and the panels really feel effectively put collectively.
The Nappa leather-clad seats lack bolstering however provide heating, air flow, electrical adjustment and Mercedes-Benz’s weird ‘kinetic seat’ perform, which tilts the seat round prefer it’s the world’s slowest rollercoaster.
It’s a cushty place to spend time when you get your head round all of the options.
You received’t be cramped for house both, with loads of storage on provide. The door bins, centre console and glovebox are all deep, and there’s an expansive tray instead of an absent transmission tunnel.
Transferring into the second row, the EQE 53 ticks all of the essential containers as a household hauler.
The rear seats provide ample legroom, with sufficient house to sit down 4 and even 5 long-limbed adults with out requiring any contortion.
Regardless of the presence of a panoramic sunroof, there’s additionally sufficient headroom for taller people pushing six-four. The aforementioned sunroof ensures that cabin stays gentle and ethereal, although it’s kitted out with dark-coloured supplies.
Nevertheless, the rear seats are on the agency facet with a pronounced bulge the place your decrease again rests, so consolation over lengthy intervals might be questionable.
Facilities are in sturdy provide – the centre armrest comprises retractable cupholders, whereas bigger drink bottles could be saved in deep door bins. Additional storage is out there within the type of map pockets.
Two USB-C shops are positioned behind centre console, and every passenger has the liberty to decide on their very own fan and temperature settings. And to high it off, the ceiling is fitted with helpful studying lights.
Boot house within the EQE 53 measures 520 litres, which expands to 1675L with the rear bench folded down. The tailgate is powered, and the aperture is each large and sq., enabling simple loading of cumbersome gadgets.
To see how the AMG EQE 53 SUV traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument.
What’s below the bonnet?
The AMG EQE 53 SUV includes a 90.6kWh battery and a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain, with complete system outputs of 460kW of energy and 950Nm of torque.
Consumers can select to equip the non-compulsory AMG Dynamic Plus Package deal, which will increase these outputs to 505kW and 1000Nm, and drops the 0-100km/h acceleration time to 3.5 seconds.
Over a number of hours of wet-weather driving on open roads, we had been in a position to match the vitality consumption declare quoted by Mercedes-Benz.
To see how the AMG EQE 53 SUV traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument.
How does the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 SUV drive?
Mercedes-Benz’s AMG efficiency division appears to be having a little bit of an id disaster. First got here the four-cylinder plug-in hybrid C63, and now the EQE 53 SUV can also be caught proper in the course of it.
Don’t get me improper, this go-fast EV is an absolute pleasure to drive… however simply not in the way in which that you simply’d count on.
To preface my driving impressions, our day with the EQE 53 SUV was spent battling a fearsome climate system that hit elements of higher Melbourne with greater than 50mm of rain.
The circumstances had been the worst I’ve ever skilled when reviewing a brand new automotive, with standing water and poor visibility contributing to a difficult day on the highway.
Nonetheless, the present should go on, and the EQE was a greater than prepared participant.
Within the face of numerous environmental obstacles, I used to be blown away by how composed the EQE 53 remained with its trick all-wheel drive system, large tyres and compliant experience.
No matter which mode it’s set to, the air suspension system fitted to the flagship EQE 53 is resolved and cozy.
Consolation mode is actually plush with simply the correct amount of float, whereas Sport+ is a bit firmer however not as hardcore as I anticipated, which brings me to my opening competition.
From a dealing with perspective, the EQE 53 doesn’t fairly really feel sporty sufficient for an AMG variant, however then it is vitally heavy for an AMG and it doesn’t put on a 63 badge.
Positive, you don’t need a luxurious SUV to be crashing over bumps and potholes, nevertheless it shouldn’t be numb both.
The EQE 53 is actually a supersonic magic carpet. With a minimum of 460kW and 950Nm on faucet, and a 0-100km/h time within the threes, it possesses the face-melting acceleration that we’ve come to count on from efficiency EVs.
And, to the credit score of the AMG tech division, the accompanying V8-inspired artificial engine observe is among the many most sonorous I’ve heard to this point.
Nevertheless, it’s all just a bit soulless. Loads of reasonably priced fashionable EVs can present the identical sickening straight-line shove, so extra is required to imbue an electrical efficiency automotive with character.
Except for the tuneful engine simulator, the EQE 53 doesn’t have a heap to supply on this regard. It’s so effectively damped that you simply barely discover adjustments within the highway floor, and the cabin is deathly quiet within the absence of highway and wind noise.
When the highway will get twisty, you’ll discover that the steering is direct and aware of driver inputs. However as soon as once more, it’s comparatively gentle.
The all-wheel drive system does a wonderful job of disguising the EQE 53’s heft, combining with the chunky tyres to supply supreme grip and minimise physique roll via corners.
Regardless of that, this spiced up electrical SUV is best loved in commuting and cruising conditions, relatively than spirited driving.
The identical could be mentioned for the remainder of the EQE vary, which leads me to consider that AMG must discover a option to imbue its electrical vary with extra character, on high of the racy inside supplies and boosted outputs.
Round city, EQE 53 is straightforward to steer and impressively manouevrable, thanks partially to the fitment of rear-wheel steering. In tight metropolis laneways and slim streets the EQE can activate a dime, which might’t be mentioned of all family-sized SUVs.
It’s geared up with ample parking instruments too, with each sensors and a set of cameras.
Out of city, a plethora of configurable drive modes transforms the EQE 53 right into a silent, soft luxurious machine on the push of a button – excellent for prolonged freeway stints and time spent in peak hour visitors.
What do you get?
The EQE 53 SUV sits on the high of the EQE vary, that includes a set of AMG efficiency options along with the usual tools of decrease mannequin grades.
Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ SUV highlights:
Digital Mild LED headlightsAdaptive high-beamIlluminated aluminium-look operating boardsPanoramic sliding sunroofHead-up display64-colour adjustable ambient lightingKeyless entry and startPower tailgateMBUX HyperscreenSatellite navigation with augmented realityAndroid Auto and Apple CarPlayWireless telephone chargerDual-zone local weather controlLeather upholsteryHeated entrance seatsBurmeister 3D sound systemEight-metre home charging cableFive-metre public AC charging cableTransparent bonnet viewRear-axle steeringAMG Lively Journey Management air suspension4MATIC+ all-wheel drive systemNappa leather-wrapped AMG steering wheelVentilated entrance seatsAMG Evening Package22-inch alloy wheelsRed-painted brake calipersGuard 360° Car Safety Plus package deal
Is the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 SUV secure?
The Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 SUV has but to be examined by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, though the usual EQE SUV was awarded a five-star ANCAP security ranking in 2023.
All EQE SUV fashions come normal with the next security tools:
Adaptive cruise management with cease/goAutonomous emergency brakingVehicle, pedestrian and bike owner detectionTurning manoeuvre functionCongestion emergency braking functionIntersection start-off functionBlind-spot assistFront and rear cross-traffic assistDriver consideration alertActive Steering AssistLane-keep assistActive emergency cease assistSafe exit warningSpeed restrict assistSurround-view camera10 airbags
How a lot does the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 SUV price to run?
Mercedes-Benz backs its EQE vary with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee and offers a 10-year, 250,000km guarantee for the high-voltage battery.
A 3-year Service Plan is obtainable as normal, which could be prolonged as much as a complete of 5 years.
To see how the AMG EQE 53 SUV traces up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability instrument.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 SUV
The Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 SUV is a little bit of a confused beast, with a character that belies its identify.
Whereas this flagship electrical SUV wears AMG badging, its extra of a comfortable household EV with the lot.
There’s no arguing with its straight-line efficiency, and the AMG inside upgrades give the house a sporty really feel, however I most loved the EQE 53 when caught in visitors or cruising on the freeway.
So, in case you’re after a premium commuter that may win nearly any visitors gentle drag race, then the EQE 53 is a stable possibility.
It’s not with out rivals, although. The BMW iX is equally polarising within the seems division, however gives lots of the identical qualities.
Wanting forward, the brand new Porsche Macan is on the way in which with a variety of electric-only powertrains. The Lotus Eletre is one other fascinating electrical SUV proposition, too.
In case you’re not able to go electrical, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadriofoglio is a efficiency SUV brimming with character and road enchantment.
However in case you’re set on an electrical SUV with three-pointed star badging, it may be price settling for a lower-spec EQE with 90 per cent of the mod-cons for much less cash, as the additional efficiency of the AMG isn’t actually crucial.
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