2026 Mercedes EQE SUV Review: The Electric S-Class Experience in a Smaller Package
The Mercedes EQE SUV delivers the S-Class interior experience in a mid-size electric package. We review the EQE 350+ SUV after a week of testing.
Mercedes-Benz has a clear strategy for its electric vehicle lineup: take the technology and luxury content of the flagship EQS, and scale it down to progressively smaller and more affordable vehicles. The EQE SUV is the latest expression of that strategy — essentially the EQS driving experience in a mid-size SUV package. Whether that formula succeeds depends on whether you find the concept compelling in practice.
The Concept
The EQE SUV (starting at $77,900 for the EQE 350+ SUV) is smaller than the EQS SUV ($104,900) but shares the same platform, similar battery pack options, and an interior design that is only slightly less impressive than the flagship. The question is whether the size reduction is worth the price premium over, say, a BMW iX ($84,100) or a Rivian R2 ($45,000-$58,000).
The Drive
The EQE 350+ SUV uses a single rear motor producing 288 hp and 417 lb-ft of torque. It is rear-wheel drive only — no AWD option for the base model. The 0-60 time of 6.1 seconds is acceptable but unremarkable for a $77,900 vehicle. Mercedes clearly tuned the EQE for comfort, not performance.
The air suspension is genuinely excellent. In Comfort mode, the EQE SUV floats over broken pavement with the composure of a vehicle costing twice as much. The cabin is extraordinarily quiet — even at 80 mph on the highway, wind and road noise are minimal. This is a vehicle designed for long-distance travel, and it excels at it.
The steering is light and precise, but lacks the feedback that makes driving engaging. The EQE is not a car you drive for pleasure — it’s a car you drive because the destination matters more than the journey.
The Hyperscreen Question
The MBUX Hyperscreen — a 56-inch curved glass panel spanning the full dashboard width, incorporating three separate displays — is available as a $6,800 option. It is as impressive as you’ve heard, and as impractical as critics claim.
The passenger screen is effectively useless for most passengers in real-world driving — the viewing angle makes it readable only when you’re directly facing it. The central touchscreen, which handles the majority of controls, is easy to use but requires looking away from the road. Mercedes’ voice assistant has improved but still trails Tesla’s.
The standard 12.8-inch portrait display (included without Hyperscreen) is more practical and only marginally less impressive.
Range and Charging
The EQE 350+ SUV delivers an EPA-estimated 305 miles of range from its 90.6 kWh battery pack. In real-world mixed driving, I observed approximately 275 miles — competitive with the BMW iX xDrive50 (314 miles EPA, ~280 real) and ahead of the Genesis Electrified GV70 (236 miles).
DC fast charging accepts up to 170 kW — competitive but behind the 800V vehicles from Hyundai and Kia (233 kW peak). A 10-80 percent charge takes approximately 28 minutes on compatible chargers.
The $77,900 Question
The EQE SUV is an excellent luxury electric vehicle that is very expensive for what it delivers. The BMW iX offers comparable range, more engaging driving dynamics, and a more conventional design language for $6,200 more. The Rivian R2 offers comparable range, genuinely better off-road capability, and a more distinctive character for $30,000 less.
The EQE SUV makes the most sense for buyers who prioritize Mercedes’ luxury reputation and interior quality above all else, and for whom the brand premium is a feature rather than a cost.
For more Mercedes EV coverage, see our review of the Mercedes EQS SUV.
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