Monday to Friday 9am - 12.30pm - 2pm - 7pm
Mercedes EQE test drive: a new benchmark for comfort?
Among all premium manufacturers,Mercedesis the one with the most 100 % electric models in its range. The EQ range was inaugurated in 2019 with the EQC, a Electric SUV which struggled to exceed 400 km ofautonomy. In the space of three years, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge, and the range is now well-stocked, with some models able to cover more than 600 or even 700 km on a single charge.
Mercedes EQAEBQ, EQC, EQS, EQS SUV, EQVAll these models are electric and make up the EQ range from the star-spangled firm, and the latest of the bunch, the EQE, has only just hit the dealerships. Overall, the range structure of the EQ models is based on that of the combustion models currently available from Mercedes.
The EQE is, in a way, the EQS's little sister, like the E-Class compared with the S-Class. L'EQE is 27 cm shorter than EQSBut that doesn't mean it's a small hatchback, since its dimensions are still very generous, particularly with its length of 4.95 metres. Mercedes is therefore offering a saloon that's built to eat up the miles, without using a drop of petrol of course, and in a few years' time it should definitively take the place of the E-Class.
A little Mercedes EQS with power
Like the E-Class with the S-Class, the EQE is aesthetically inspired by the EQS and an untrained eye will not be able to tell the difference between the two, apart from the difference in length. The overall design is very clean, and before making an angular car, Mercedes has first and foremost focused on making its hatchback look as good as possible. aerodynamics. The contract has been fulfilled, with the German car boasting an excellent Cx of 0.20, one of the best in the industry for a production car.
Even though the car is more compact than an EQS, the packaging remains more or less the same, with very similar on-board technologies, although the EQS offers more, thanks to its hierarchy. Unfortunately, the Hyperscreeen dashboard is not available on the 'classic' versions; it is simply a feature of the sports model. Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 for the time being, and as an option at that.
In spite of everything, the dashboard is excellently designed and is a sort of mix between that of a new Mercedes C-Class and an EQS. The ambience is very well cared for, with quality materials and adjustments. Customisation is the order of the day on board, and by searching through the numerous menus on the12.8-inch touch screenYou can choose the colours and ambience on board. Right in front of the driver's eyes, there's a 12.3-inch instrument cluster which gives you all the information you need to drive.
Le MBUX system It takes a little getting used to, and not all the technologies are essential, but it's fair to say that the whole thing works pretty well, with a voice recognition system that uses artificial intelligence to learn your habits, and augmented reality navigation, which is displayed in place of the GPS map when you turn off at a junction. The graphics are of excellent quality, and navigation between the menus is fluid. As for the on-board system, it's virtually faultless.
Decent interior space, but nothing more
With its wheelbase 3.12 metres longwhich is one of the most generous in the electric saloonsthe Mercedes EQE offers plenty of space for rear passengers, although it's not exactly extraordinary for an a saloon approximately 5 metres long. The real problem is the headroom for tall people, due to the sloping roofline.
As far as the boot is concerned, Mercedes is only announcing 430 litresThat's the boot capacity of a lower-segment saloon. Even the Mercedes C-Class, which is 20 cm smaller, offers 25 litres more. On top of that, the opening is not very practical: it's aThe Mercedes EQS, on the other hand, has a tailgate, which means it can accommodate larger objects. The Mercedes EQS, on the other hand, has a tailgate that can accommodate larger objects.
La batteryand consumption
The EQE is the second model based on the platform 100 % electric EVA2 after the EQS. Later, the EQS SUV and EQE SUV will also benefit from this same platform. It incorporates a 90.5 kWh battery capacity giving it an autonomy of between 567 and 654 km. Fuel consumption figures are interesting, with Mercedes announcing between 15.4 and 17.7 kWh/100 km on the WLTP combined cycle. We were able to verify this during our test drive, when we managed to consume around 18 kWh/100 km over a distance of around 400 km. With these fuel consumption figures, we could have driven more than 500 km on a single charge, without too many problems. A good point.
As far as recharging is concerned, a trip to afast terminalcapable of delivering 170 kWwhich is the car's maximum charging power, will enable the car to go from 10 to 80 % in 32 minutes. You'll have to wait about 8h15 on an 11 kW AC socket. On the motorway, the most energy-consuming journey for aelectric carWith the EQE, we recorded fuel consumption of just 20 kWh/100 km at 130 km/h, with air conditioning and a few comfort features, enough to cover around 400 km before refuelling. All in all, a very good performance, and the EQE is based on an on-board route planner that uses GPS data to optimise charging times. This Mercedes is also equipped with aregenerative brakingautomatic system capable of adapting to the profile of the road toreduce vehicle fuel consumption.
To find out more:
More comfortable than dynamic
Comfort is the key word on board this EQE. This is without doubt one of the most comfortable saloons, if not the best for an electric car. The suspension is very supple in comfort mode, becoming only slightly firmer in sport mode. It's silent on board, even at high speeds, so long journeys are almost enjoyable. It's hard to find fault with it, even with the variable steering, which blends consistency and firmness with ease.
However, with more than 2,300 kilos on the scales, the downside is dynamism. Our 350 test model and its 292 bhp are sufficient, but it's clear that performance is not necessarily what Mercedes is aiming for. With a 0 to 100 km/h in 6.4 secondsThere's not much in the way of dynamism here, that role being taken on by the Mercedes-AMG in 53 and its 687 bhp of power peak. This model also has specific settings to make it really sporty.
However, the EQE is not ridiculous in dynamic driving, far from it. The steered rear wheels pivot through an angle of 10° (4.5° on models with larger wheels), giving it very decent agility when cornering. This technology is particularly useful in town, with an attractive turning circle and appreciable manoeuvrability for such a large saloon.
When the car is fitted with rear-wheel steering, the wheels steer a lot and this can be surprising. In fact, there's sometimes a slight discrepancy between the angle you think you're turning at and what actually happens with the car, and on several occasions we skimmed very close to the kerbs. Be careful not to damage the beautiful 19-inch wheels.
As for the braking, as usual with Mercedes, it's excellent, even if the transition between the regenerative braking and the friction one is strange, with little consistency at the start of the race and a bite that comes on suddenly halfway through.
The German firm has provided several modes for recovering energy when the foot is lifted, which can be adjusted via the paddles behind the steering wheel. There are three levels of deceleration available, while a 'low-speed' mode is also available.intelligent recovery"It also includes a GPS-based navigation system.
Prices and competition for the Mercedes EQE
Hard to believe, but the Mercedes EQE is currently the electric saloon the least expensive Mercedes with a price of 79,350 euros for a 300 version in France. Our 350 test model with the AMG Line" finish for €83,250. A hefty sum, but still much more affordable than the 53 sports version and 124,100 euros claimed. Fortunately, the fact that it's electric means it doesn't have to pay a weight penalty, or even a penalty at all. On the other hand, don't expect anyenvironmental bonusGiven its price, the EQE is well over the €60,000 threshold.
What do we have against this EQE? There are no direct competitors, only models that gravitate around it. There's the inevitableTesla Model SIt may also compete with the EQS, and has just returned to France with its 'Plaid' version, but this version retails for 138,990 euros. But with 1,020 bhp and a range of 600 km, it seems out of its league. All we can do now is wait for the smaller versions, but they will be hard pressed to break the €100,000 barrier.
Our Bavarian neighbours, namely BMWThe i4 is more in the lower segment. However, it could be a very good alternative to the EQE for those on a tighter budget, with prices starting at €59,950.
There is also the formidablePorsche Taycanthe benchmark for electric sports saloons, but its philosophy is different. The entry-level rear-wheel drive version is priced at 88,364 euros. It has slightly less range, but remains sportier. From AudiAlthough it will be some time before we see an electric A6 100 %, it is definitely on the cards.
To find out more:Mercedes EQE - Technical data.
Mercedes EQE test drive: the final word
Even with 292bhp under the right-hand pedal, the EQE cannot be considered a dynamic saloon. Its thing is long journeys, especially as range is no longer a problem, given that it has a fairly large battery, while the density of the recharging network is now better.
The EQE has little to envy an EQS in terms of comfort and refinement, and apart from a few technologies that aren't really essential, you might even wonder why you'd choose an EQS instead of an EQE, which is cheaper, almost as livable and, above all, just as comfortable. And for those looking for more space, a bigger boot and almost off-road capability, you'll have to wait a few more months, as Mercedes will shortly be presenting the EQE SUV, a model that will model its range on the saloon, but with an extra level of habitability.
Read also:
- Renault Megane E-Tech test: is the best electric car French?
- discover the others electric car tests
