The EQE SUV is Merc’s latest all-electric offering in the country and comes at a price tag of Rs. 1.39 crore, joining the EQB SUV and EQS limousine, and like the EQS, the EQE is also offered with an AMG variant. However, in India, Mercedes is only offering the top-of-the-line 500 4MATIC variant. The EQE is based on the brand's EVA (electric vehicle architecture) platform. Globally Mercedes also sells the EQE in a sedan body style. The EQE SUV has a 90.56kWh battery and a claimed WLTP range of 550km.
The EQE SUV follows the design language of other EQ models and looks similar to the flagship EQS SUV albeit with smaller dimensions. It features smooth sweeping surfaces, clean lines, a coupe-like roofline and Mercedes-Benz’s EV styling elements like the black panel unit for the front grille, a connected LED light bar for the ‘Digital Light’ headlights, and connected 3D LED tail lights. The side profile is clean and features flush-fitting door handles. The SUV gets 20-inch alloys and 9 colour options including two Manufaktur colours.
The interior features wood and leather-free materials, power front seats with massage function, four-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof. There are two colour options for the interior. Like other electric models from the brand, the interior of the new EQE SUV is dominated by the 56-inch MBUX Hyperscreen featuring three separate screens spanning the entire width of the dashboard. This setup incorporates three screens, including a central touchscreen, an instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger, offering various entertainment options. Above the main screen are the AC vents, which are also available on either side of the dashboard. An air-purification system has also been added. Other notable features include in-built perfume diffusers, adaptive air suspension, capacitive steering controls, configurable ambient lighting and a 15-speaker Burmester sound system with Dolby Atmos technology.
The vehicle is equipped with a comprehensive set of safety features, including ADAS, multiple airbags, a 360-degree camera which displays a virtual view under the car, ABS with EBD, lane keep assist, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and parking assist.
In India, Mercedes has launched the top model in the non-AMG trim. The EQE 500 4MATIC is equipped with dual electric motors, one for each axle, drawing power from the 90.56kWh battery pack which gets a 10-year warranty and supports a maximum of 170kW DC charging. It generates 402bhp and 858Nm of torque, providing a WLTP range of up to 550km. The 0-100kmph time is a claimed 4.9 seconds and it can do a top speed of 210kmph. Additionally, there are various regen modes and a one-pedal driving mode as well.
The car uses an all-wheel drive system and gets air suspension with adaptable dampers which can raise the height by 25mm to increase ground clearance. The SUV has a wheelbase of 3030mm.
The EQE SUV has been launched at an introductory price of Rs1.39 crore (ex-showroom) and comes in a single variant. Rivals include the BMW iX, Jaguar I-Pace and recently launched Audi Q8 e-tron. Prices for the iX start at Rs 1.21 crore, the I-Pace starts at Rs 1.20 crore and the Q8 e-tron starts at Rs. 1.13 crore.