With the test of Mercedes-Benz’s latest fully electrified EQE model, which aims to present an alternative to its iconic mid-range luxury staple the E-class, my mind has taken a full perspective turn. Like most committed automobile manufacturers, Mercedes-Benz, the 4th oldest automobile manufacturer in the world (established in 1883 with the very first gasoline-powered car, the Benz Patent-Motorwagen in 1886, with full incorporation in 1926 by Karl Benz, Wilhelm Maybach, and Gottlieb Daimler with full manufacturing beginning in 1926), has begun producing a fully electrified family that mirrors its traditional range called the Mercedes-EQ. The first model released was the EQC crossover in 2019 based on the GLC-class platform.
For our Philippine market, the big modern electrified plunge began with the EQA and EQB, both based on existing GLA and GLB platforms back in September 2023. The third model tested here, the EQE, differs greatly as it uses a dedicated new battery platform and is offered in the engaging 350+ AMG packaging. With the new Philippine tax incentives to boost the transition to cleaner mobility, Mercedes-Benz Philippines has been able to configure their imported automobiles with considerably more desirable standard equipment at more compelling prices. Mercedes-Benz won’t ever be cheap and they are not expected to be, however, their new Philippine domestic packaging has made certain models really stand out, and this all-new EQE 350+ AMG is the current shiniest star.
At a retail price of P900,000.00 more than the entry-level E200 Avantgarde at PhP 6,290,000.00, you get a significantly larger vehicle with more luxury and comfort combined with more outstanding dynamic performance and efficient range. Get past the promotional stickers on our test unit and you will be rewarded with a fully-loaded luxury sedan that has more room than an E-class and almost as much room as an S-class with more equipment than ever before at its price point.
The EQE is not instantly desirable to look at as its aesthetics are more functional than flamboyant. Thankfully the cool-looking mixed alloy wheels make up for the very aerodynamic beluga whale exterior design. The capacious interior is a great place to be and I do like the contrasting red seat belts but not the excessive ringless three-point stars on the dashboard. The massive dashboard would look and feel much better with the more organic wood trim which would also make the turbine air vents look even better along with the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.8-inch central touchscreen display.
The 10-module liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery has 90.6 kWh of usable energy with a maximum charging rate of 170 kW. The 15-speaker Burmester 710-watt sound system is fantastic and truly fills the cabin with brilliant audio articulation which is more pronounced without the traditional mechanical sounds of a standard car. Compared to the current E-class, there is about an inch more of front shoulder room and three inches of overall length in the cabin but in contrast the rear passenger entry cavity is oddly smaller than it theoretically should be, so you enter “small” like you are entering a cave. So, despite actually having more interior room than an E-class sedan, the EQE may not immediately create that sensation of spaciousness.
The user interfaces may take one longer to get familiar with and may in fact frustrate quite a few people. The exposed fire extinguisher on the driver side will look cool to some but more concerning for others. There are quite a lot of trim and power options with the EQE but for our market the single rear motor is more than enough for every day duty and play on the weekends. Traditionally, Mercedes-Benz Philippines buyers would have to spend a lot more to gain the same dynamic performance offered in the EQE 350+ AMG (0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds with a top speed of 210 km/h) which makes the E200 entry car feel very anemic and clumsy in comparison.
The all-new 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE350+ AMG (the AMG bits are mostly cosmetic but most welcome) with 288 hp / 417 lb-ft of instant torque from rest, is a great and very comfortable mid-size luxury sedan with tremendous electrified range of up to 682 kilometers (9.6 kW Onboard Charger, 10.5 Hrs. Charge Time @ 220/240V). Despite my not liking the general exterior design and some interior trim, for the money and for the pedigree, the EQE is a remarkable modern solution with genuinely deep abilities while remaining true to the brand’s core ideals. The engineers exhausted all efforts to produce active and passive silence measures to create the new luxury experience of elegance and refinement.
