Mercedes EQE SUV Review: The Electric Luxury SUV That Finally Feels Like the Future
13.01.2026 - 03:08:44You know that sinking feeling when you sit in a so?called "futuristic" electric car and it feels more like a rolling gadget demo than a place you actually want to live with every day? Cold screens, hard plastics dressed up with mood lighting, confusing menus, and a ride that’s either too harsh or too floaty. It’s fast, sure—but it doesn’t feel special. It doesn’t feel like you.
Now add the other EV anxiety: range that looks great on paper but crumbles on a cold highway run, charging curves that nosedive after 40%, and cabins that scream minimalism while forgetting basic things like proper seat adjustment or sound insulation. You’re not asking for a spaceship. You just want a calm, quiet, genuinely premium electric SUV that makes the transition from combustion feel like an upgrade, not a compromise.
That’s the hole Mercedes is aiming straight at.
The Mercedes EQE SUV steps in as the brand’s mid-size electric luxury SUV designed to replace the traditional family or executive SUV without the usual EV trade?offs. Built on Mercedes’ dedicated EVA2 electric platform, it promises long-range comfort, a cocoon-quiet cabin, familiar Mercedes ergonomics, and the kind of tech that enhances your drive instead of overwhelming it.
If you’ve been watching the premium EV SUV space—Audi Q8 e?tron, BMW iX, Tesla Model X, even the Porsche Macan Electric—you’ll know it’s crowded at the top. The question is: does the EQE SUV move beyond being "just another electric status symbol" and become the one you’d actually want to live with?
Why this specific model?
The Mercedes EQE SUV sits in a sweet spot: big enough to feel substantial and luxurious, compact enough to work in real cities, and efficient enough to handle long-distance trips with confidence. Under the skin, it’s closely related to the EQE sedan, but the SUV format adds a higher seating position, easier ingress, more cargo flexibility, and a more commanding presence on the road.
From recent reviews and test drives, several themes keep popping up:
- Serious refinement: Testers repeatedly mention how quiet the EQE SUV is at highway speeds. The combination of the electric drivetrain, optimized aerodynamics, and substantial noise insulation creates the classic Mercedes cocoon effect—just without an engine.
- Real-world comfort: Available AIRMATIC air suspension (with adaptive damping) and optional rear-axle steering transform what could be a bulky SUV into something that glides in comfort and feels far more agile in tight spaces.
- Balanced range and performance: Depending on variant and market trim, the EQE SUV offers WLTP ranges that are competitive among luxury electric SUVs, with multiple power outputs—from comfortable everyday performance up to AMG-tuned punch in the AMG EQE SUV.
- Cabin that feels genuinely premium: Unlike some minimal EV interiors, the EQE SUV sticks to the brand’s strengths: rich materials, configurable ambient lighting, sculpted seating, and a layout that feels familiar if you’re coming from a combustion Mercedes.
Mercedes-Benz Group AG (ISIN: DE0007100000) is clearly positioning the EQE SUV as the electric SUV for buyers who care at least as much about comfort, craftsmanship, and brand heritage as they do about acceleration figures.
At a Glance: The Facts
Exact specifications vary by market and trim, but here are key characteristics of the Mercedes EQE SUV, translated into what they mean for you in daily life:
| Feature | User Benefit |
|---|---|
| All-electric drivetrain on dedicated EVA2 platform | Quieter, smoother driving with no engine vibrations and packaging optimized for cabin space and comfort. |
| Multiple power variants (including 4MATIC all-wheel drive) | Choice between efficient daily-driver setups or more powerful versions with strong acceleration and confident traction in poor weather. |
| Available AIRMATIC air suspension with adaptive damping | Comfort-focused ride that can soften for cruising or firm up for better control, plus adjustable ride height for ramps, rough roads, or motorway stability. |
| Optional rear-axle steering | Significantly tighter turning circle for city driving and parking, while enhancing stability at higher speeds. |
| MBUX infotainment system (optional Hyperscreen in some markets) | Intuitive, high-resolution interface with voice control and navigation tuned for EV routing and charging stops. |
| Advanced driver-assistance systems | Support on highways and in traffic jams to reduce stress, keep you in lane, and manage distance to traffic ahead when properly used. |
| Spacious SUV body with flexible rear seating | High seating position, good visibility, and practical cargo space for families, travel, and everyday utility. |
What Users Are Saying
Looking across recent owner feedback and discussions on forums and Reddit-style communities, the sentiment around the Mercedes EQE SUV is generally positive, with a few recurring criticisms.
What people love:
- Comfort and quietness: Owners frequently highlight how serene the cabin feels, especially compared to some sportier EV rivals. It’s the "classic Mercedes" experience, now electric.
- Interior ambiance: The ambient lighting, materials, and seat comfort earn consistent praise. Drivers moving from older combustion Mercedes models often say it still feels like a proper Mercedes, not a tech experiment.
- Tech that mostly makes sense: Once set up, MBUX with EV-specific navigation and pre-conditioning tends to work smoothly. Voice commands reduce the need to dig through menus.
- Driving ease in the city: With rear-axle steering equipped, owners emphasize how much easier tight parking garages and urban streets become, despite the SUV’s size.
Where users see room for improvement:
- Price and options: Fully loaded versions can get expensive quickly, especially when you add air suspension, advanced driver assistance packages, and higher-power variants.
- Software learning curve: While MBUX is powerful, some drivers note that it can be overwhelming at first, with many layers of settings. Expect a setup period where you customize it to your liking.
- Charging ecosystem vs. Tesla: The car itself charges competitively on DC fast chargers, but depending on your region, the public charging network still doesn’t match the simplicity and density of Tesla’s Supercharger network. This is a broader infrastructure issue rather than a Mercedes-only problem.
Alternatives vs. Mercedes EQE SUV
The electric luxury SUV space is heating up, and you’re not short on choices. Here’s how the EQE SUV fits into the current landscape:
- Versus Tesla Model X: The Model X offers more radical styling, the option for more seats, and access to Tesla’s supercharger network. But many shoppers find the EQE SUV more refined inside, with better build quality, quieter operation, and a more traditional luxury feel.
- Versus BMW iX: The iX is bold, tech-forward, and very spacious. The EQE SUV counters with a more conventional Mercedes design language, a slightly different flavor of luxury, and a cabin that some buyers find more timeless.
- Versus Audi Q8 e-tron: Audi’s Q8 e-tron emphasizes comfort and subtle luxury, similar to the EQE SUV. The Mercedes typically stands out with its more futuristic interior ambiance and the availability of features like rear-axle steering and the EVA2 electric-first platform.
- Versus Porsche Macan Electric and performance rivals: If you want a sharper, sportier drive, a performance-focused SUV may appeal more. The EQE SUV, especially in non-AMG trims, is tuned more towards comfort and relaxed confidence than outright sportiness.
In short: if your priorities are serenity, comfort, and a cabin that feels like a true luxury lounge rather than a tech lab, the EQE SUV lands exactly where you’d expect a Mercedes to land.
Final Verdict
The Mercedes EQE SUV isn’t trying to be the loudest or flashiest electric SUV in the room. It’s trying to be the one you actually want to climb into at the end of a long day—the one that closes the door on the outside world with a reassuring thud, drops you into a beautifully lit, hushed interior, and just takes the edge off everything.
It solves the core EV pain points for luxury buyers: you don’t have to give up comfort, refinement, or brand identity to go electric. You get real range, a mature driving experience, and a cabin that feels inviting for the long haul. The trade-offs—pricing that climbs quickly with options, and a tech interface that rewards a bit of learning—are very much in line with what you’d expect in this class.
If you’re cross-shopping high-end electric SUVs and your heart leans toward calm, quiet, and effortlessly premium rather than aggressive and shouty, the Mercedes EQE SUV deserves a serious test drive. It feels less like a tech experiment and more like what an electric Mercedes was always supposed to be: familiar, luxurious, and quietly future-proof.
For full, region-specific specifications, trims, and current configurations, it’s worth exploring the official Mercedes-Benz website, where you can compare variants, equipment lines, and available packages tailored to your market.


