Summary
The Mercedes-Benz EQE is a large executive saloon and an all-electric alternative to the conventional E-Class saloon. It’s built on the same platform as the larger flagship EQS saloon.
While the award-winning EQS uses a 108kWh battery to produce an official range of 398 miles, the EQE uses a smaller 90kWh battery which Mercedes-Benz says can produce a maximum of 339 miles from full charge.
“If the Mercedes EQS is Dr Evil of Austin Powers fame, the Mercedes EQE is like Mini-Me”, Carwow says. “It’s a near-identical clone of the big luxury car, albeit cut down to a smaller scale.”
Although reviewers have generally responded poorly to the car’s exterior design, which Parkers calls “ugly as sin”, the EQE is just as refined and comfortable on the road as its bigger brother, and also has a cabin packed with user-friendly tech. “It makes the EQS feel unnecessary”, Carbuyer concludes – a point that is amplified by the fact that the EQE costs £30k less.
That said, some reviewers say that its price is still too high. While the EQE is a newer model, journalists find the car’s £70k+ pricing hard to justify when you can purchase a combustion-powered E-Class for over £25k less. Many reviewers also point out that the EQE faces stiff competition from the likes of the Porsche Taycan, Audi e-tron GT and Tesla Model S, which are all considered to be better performance packages.
But for others like Autocar, the EQE is certainly a competitive package, particularly if you favour luxury over acceleration. “In terms of build quality, refinement, ride quality and interior ambience, this new Mercedes-Benz model looks set to be a far more satisfying proposition than its ageing Tesla rival and the more conventional combustion-engine E-Class, too.”
As of May 2024, the Mercedes-Benz EQE holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 76%. It has excellent scores for safety and produces no tailpipe emissions, however media reviews are fairly average and running costs are high. The only caveat to this overall score is that the EQE is too new to have any reliability data at this time. Check back again soon.
EQE highlights
- High-quality, tech-laden interior
- Comfortable long-distance cruiser
- Competitive battery range
- As refined as EQS for less money
EQE lowlights
- Polarising looks
- Much more expensive than E-Class
- Tight rear seating
- So-so performance
Key specifications
Body style: Medium executive saloon
Engines: electric, battery-powered
Price: From £74,345 on-road
Launched: Summer 2022
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Mercedes EQE is an all-electric E-Class alternative and offers enormous range and slick on-board tech.”
Author: Ellis Hyde
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Model reviewed: EQE 300
Score: 8 / 10
“The entry-level Mercedes EQE has all the key qualities of the pricier versions but still suffers in comparison to executive car rivals.”
Author: Alastair Crooks
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Model reviewed: EQE 350+ AMG Line Premium Plus
Score: 8 / 10
“The EQE feels like a logical all-electric counterpart to Mercedes’ E-Class saloon. The genuinely impressive range is the EQE’s trump card, which is good, because charging rates could be faster. However, it offers enough performance, a mostly comfortable ride, sound refinement and super technology, which means the EQE is a pricey but appealing premium EV.”
Author: Sean Carson
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz EQE is more luxurious, far better-built and just as good to drive as a Tesla Model S. It has lots of range, too, and while charging speeds could be better, there aren’t many places in the UK where you can top up faster than 170kW anyway. It’s only let down by its practicality, where it trails not only the Tesla, but also its combustion-engined sibling, the E-Class.”
Author: Sam Naylor
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: (2023)
Score: 8 / 10
“Like an E-Class reinvented for the electric age, the sleek looking Mercedes-Benz EQE combines luxury and tech into a premium package.”
Author: Dan Trent
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Autocar
Model reviewed: EQE 350+ AMG Line
Score: 7 / 10
“I’ve no doubt that the Mercedes-Benz EQE would be supremely easy to live with. Just know that it feels considerably less ‘car’ than the E-Class or even BMW’s electric i4. It’s much more luxury ‘conveyance’.”
Author: Richard Lane
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“If E-Class drivers find the budget to make the big switch to electric via the Mercedes-Benz EQE, they will find it a car with impressive luxury, refinement, driveability, onboard technology and ease of use; acceptable range and recharging capability; and only a handful of weaknesses elsewhere. It’s a worthy new EV player, for certain.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed: EQE 350+ Exclusive Luxury
Score: 8 / 10
“You really need access to a rapid charger to make the most of the Mercedes-Benz EQE, and we wish it had more character, but the EQE impresses with its high levels of refinement, comfort, and performance.”
Author: Martyn Collins
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Model reviewed: EQE 350+ AMG Line
Score: 7 / 10
“The EQE is not a bad car, far from it, but Porsche and Tesla offer better EV saloon options. Despite those downsides, Mercedes’ trump card might well be that its UK operation is set up to cater to fleet customers.”
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Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“If the greatest benchmark for Mercedes’ EQ range is the petrol range it runs parallel to, then the EQE is the best electric Mercedes yet. It may have a lower target than the EQS (which has to compete against the flagship S-class) but the EQE delivers on all fronts, making it more than a match for the ICE E-class.”
Author: Curtis Moldrich
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.6 / 10
“The Mercedes EQE is a luxurious electric saloon car with plenty of driving range and lots of in-car tech.”
Author: Ben Custard, Andy Goodwin
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.6 / 10
“The Mercedes EQE is a luxurious, high-tech electric saloon with a long range, but is far costlier than an E-Class.”
Author: Ben Custard
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Ultimately, the Mercedes EQE is a car to consider if you’re looking for a tech-filled way to chew miles up and down the country. Just don’t expect it to turn that many heads.”
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Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Mercedes EQE impresses with its endless array of in-car tech, but falls bafflingly short of rivals in several other areas.”
Author: Tom Jervis
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Electrifying.com
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Mercedes finally seems to be getting its electric car act together and producing models which can rival the best of the rest. The EQE looks like a fine effort too, but how many buyers really want a saloon these days rather than an SUV or hatch?”
Author: Ginny Buckley
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: EQE 350+ Exclusive Luxury
Score: 9 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz EQE offers luxury, very competent driving dynamics, and efficiency, with an electric driving range of up to 394 miles.”
Author: Paul Clarke
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes EQE is one of the most desirable electric cars to hit the market in 2022. It feels posher than a Tesla Model S, while its aerodynamic design and upmarket interior give it a mini Mercedes EQS vibe. Combine that with a long electric range and the EQE makes a compelling case for itself against rivals.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6.8 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz EQE majors on several elements that will appeal to the brand’s traditional buyers but adds in some strong and modern technological features that you would expect of a large and luxurious electric car. The biggest problem is that the BMW i4 does what the EQE aims to do but much better, as does the Polestar 2 and the Tesla Model 3.”
Author: Murray Scullion
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: Range overview
“It combines long-legged battery range with a reasonably engaging driving experience, has a gorgeous cabin that’s just about spacious enough, and hits some seriously high-quality notes.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“You can trickle it along to achieve some reasonable range figures, but over 500 test miles at motorway speeds and with the air-conditioning on, this big and heavy car only delivered an indicated 260 miles against its maker’s claim of 395 miles.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“There’s no doubt it’s a much better appointed object than a Tesla Model S, but Mercedes’ efforts to outdo every rival on tech may make this EV a bit too radical for some. And you’d never have thought that about an E-Class.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“If you’re looking for a refined and comfortable electric car that has a very long range, the EQE is well worth a look. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that the cheaper BMW i4 has a similar range and quicker performance, while also being more practical.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: October 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 95%
Child protection: 91%
Vulnerable road users: 83%
Safety assist: 81%
Eco rating
No eco rating
As of May 2024, the Mercedes-Benz EQE has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the EQE is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
No reliability rating
As of May 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Mercedes-Benz EQE to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the EQE, we’ll publish the score here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 324 miles | A | 324 – 324 miles | A – A |
| Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 3.9 m/KWh | C | 3.2 – 4.4 m/KWh | B – E |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 50 | F | 50 – 50 | F – F |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £289 | C |
| Year 2 | £697 | C |
| Year 3 | £1,105 | C |
| Year 4 | £1,302 | C |
| Year 5 | £1,701 | C |
| Overall | £5,094 | C |
Running costs for the Mercedes-Benz EQE saloon are pretty good for a car of this size and sophistication, according to numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for a petrol or diesel car) is average, which again is not bad for such a large car. Combined with a large battery, you should get more than 300 miles of driving between charges if you really want to.
Insurance costs for the EQE are inevitably going to be high, but that’s no different to anything else in this price bracket. Scheduled servicing costs for the first five years are average, but still more than £700 cheaper than an equivalent petrol or diesel Mercedes E-Class.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Mercedes-Benz EQE has received
2022
- DrivingElectric Awards – Best Long-Distance Electric Car
- News UK Motor Awards – The Sunday Times Car of the Year
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Mercedes-Benz EQE, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Audi e-tron GT | BMW i5 | Hyundai Ioniq 6 | Kia EV6 | Mercedes-Benz E-Class | Mercedes-Benz EQS | Polestar 2 | Porsche Taycan | Tesla Model S
- Every large new car on sale in the UK, ranked from best to worst
- Every new electric car on sale in the UK, ranked from best to worst
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Mercedes-Benz EQE at The Car Expert
Buy a Mercedes-Benz EQE
If you’re looking to buy a Mercedes-Benz EQE, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.
Find your next used car with Motors. Find out more
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Lease a Mercedes-Benz EQE
If you’re looking to lease a new Mercedes-Benz EQE, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal
Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more
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Personal contract hire deals from Rivervale Leasing. Find out more
Subscribe to a Mercedes-Benz EQE
Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
Car subscriptions from Mycardirect.
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