Road Test Review: EQE AMG Line Premium Plus from Mercedes-EQ
Independent review by Steve Grant
5-minute read
Highlights
- Smooth ride
- Good handling
- Packed with equipment and technology
- Luxurious interior
Introduction
The all-electric EQE from Mercedes-EQ comes packed with great features and plenty of performance to keep any driver smiling. It has been compared to an electric version of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class saloon, but it also shares a fair few features with Mercedes-EQ's first all-electric saloon, the EQS.
There are different versions available with varying amounts of power as well as a range of trims too. The version we drove was the AMG Line Premium Plus, one of the higher-spec variants, and it certainly did not disappoint.
Powertrain and Performance
The version we drove uses an 89kWh battery, offering an official range of 388 miles. This one was riding on 21-inch wheels, which would wipe a good 30 miles off that.
Ride comfort and refinement are both excellent – the air suspension soaks up all but the largest bumps and potholes - and body roll is well controlled considering the car's size and 2.3-tonne weight.
Steve Grant
There is also a huge amount of grip if you feel like racing through a corner. With 406lb ft of torque going to the rear wheels, you might just fancy that.
On the motorway, it is also particularly smooth and quiet.
To help with economy, there are four modes for the regenerative braking – off, low, high and intelligent – with ‘high’ setting allowing one-pedal driving.
The rear window is notably small, so the all-round cameras come in very handy, especially when performing manoeuvres.
The EQE has a maximum charging speed of 170kW, which allows for a 10 to 80 percent top up in 31 minutes. Fully recharging the EQE’s enormous battery will take 14 and a half hours using a 7.4kW home wallbox.
Equipment and Technology
The standard array of kit offered in the EQE is strong, including LED headlights, adaptive suspension, heated seats front and rear, four-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, 64-colour ambient lighting and a reversing camera.
All EQE models also come equipped with Mercedes’ latest MBUX infotainment system as standard, and the Burmester surround sound system is a 710-watt, 15 speaker set-up which sounds fabulous at any volume.
A 12.8-inch OLED infotainment centre screen, which includes a fingerprint scanner that can be used to start the car and save settings to pre-programme elements such as the seating position or radio station to the driver's profile, dominates the interior. There is also a 12.3-inch instrument display.
The touchscreen is bright and responds instantaneously, as you would expect a modern smartphone to do, and also benefits from having Apple CarPlay and Android Auto built-in.
AMG Line Premium Plus models come with Mercedes’ Driving Assistance Package Plus, which includes Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, adaptive cruise control, Active Evasive Steering Assist and an exit warning function for when you are getting out of the car.
Design and Practicality
The EQE is a stylish Mercedes-Benz model, with the front grille imprinted with very small versions of Mercedes' 3-pointed star.
The interior is as luxurious and well-finished as you would expect of any Mercedes-Benz model, offering a plush, high-quality fit and finish.
The EQE has an 80mm longer wheelbase than an E-Class and that really brings benefits in the back for legroom, which is very generous. Despite the sloping rear, headroom will be fine for all but the tallest passengers.
Boot space sits at 430 litres. There is some underfloor storage, but it is too small to hold any of the car’s charge cables, and there is no additional storage under the bonnet. You can fold the EQE’s rear seats down in a 40:20:40 split, and doing so increases the luggage capacity to 895 litres, which is a healthy space for most drivers needs.
Summary
The EQE offers a great option for drivers looking for a premium electric vehicle. Coming with a full 5-star Euro NCAP rating and 3-year/unlimited mileage warranty, whilst Mercedes-Benz also covers the battery pack for eight years and 100,000 miles, it is hard to see any downsides to the EQE.
The AMG Line Premium Plus specification is also the perfect choice for drivers that want even higher-end features, as it is one of the more premium variants in this model line-up.
