Review of the Mercedes-Benz EQE Saloon

The Mercedes-Benz EQE Saloon is a mid-size electric saloon that's a great example of modern-day luxury. With superb ride quality and a fantastic interior design, it's an excellent choice for long-distance drivers looking for a comfortable lease car. 

Rivals to the EQE Saloon include the Porsche Taycan, Audi e-tron GT, BMW i5, Volkswagen ID.7, and Tesla Model S. 

Our Mercedes-Benz EQE Saloon review covers:

• Flowing exterior design with coupe-like roofline 
• Fantastic interior quality with loads of technology 
• 430-litre boot 
• 90kWh battery and single or dual electric motor
• Four trim levels 

Pros:

• Excellent ride comfort 
• Very good long-distance cruiser 
• Interior is top notch

Cons:

• Exterior design is pretty boring 
• Not much rear passenger space 
• Rear visibility is poor 

Mercedes-Benz is known for making classy-looking vehicles, and the EQE Saloon continues the trend. It's got an aerodynamic and flowing design from front to back, with the rear roofline declining like you'd see on a coupe. It's certainly not bad-looking, but it belongs at the local country club rather than your town's hipster quarter.  

The EQE Saloon is designed as a long-distance electric cruiser, so it's no surprise it's roomy up front. There's plenty of head and legroom for a pair of adults over six feet tall and also ample storage space on the centre console. Less can be said for those in the rear. Although it's not claustrophobic, headroom is pretty limited due to the reclining roofline.

The boot space is 430 litres and is pretty practical thanks to its square shape and tie-down points. However, it falls way short of the Tesla Model S's huge 744-litre boot, and there's also no front boot available, which is a shame. The rear seats can fold down to increase capacity to 895 litres.

The Eletre's interior is in a world of its own. You get a fairly minimalist interior that's complemented by a range of sustainable materials that Lexus describes as 'responsibly luxurious'. You'll get re-fibre materials made from fashion industry cut-offs, a Nappa leather trim, and 20-way adjustable seats. 

Sitting on the dashboard is a 15.1-inch OLED centre console that features a DAB radio, Bluetooth, and Lotus Connect. There's also a 12.6-inch driver and co-driver display and a 29-inch head-up display with semi-augmented reality. It's certainly the most tech-laden interior on the market and pips the Audi Q8 e-tron, but it can be glitchy at times, unlike what you’d find in the BMW iX. 

Three trim levels are available for the Eletre: Standard, S, and R. 

Standard comes with 20-inch five-spoke aero wheels, matrix LED headlamps, four-zone climate control, keyless start, a heated steering wheel, a 15-inch infotainment system, head-up display, and a KEF sound system. 

S has 22-inch alloy wheels, soft-close doors, an upgraded KEF sound system with eight extra speakers, and an active rear spoiler. 

R has gloss black alloy wheels, a two-speed transmission for quicker acceleration, a dynamic handling pack, yellow paint with a carbon fibre trim, and illuminated side sills. 

The EQE Saloon comes with a 90kWh battery that's paired with a single electric motor. In standard form, the electric motor comes with 292hp and can shoot from 0 to 62mph in six and a half seconds. 

If you want the most range, we recommend the entry-level version, which can return up to 429 miles. 

The other two options come with 4MATIC all-wheel drive and add an extra electric motor. The 500 increases power output to 408hp while the AMG 53 reaches an impressive 625hp. 

The AMG 53 is certainly the one to go for if you're after performance. It shoots from 0 to 62mph in just 3.5 seconds, which is ridiculously fast, however drops range to 306 miles. 

In terms of charging, fast charging up to 170kw is available, which adds up to 264 miles of range in just 30 minutes! Using an 11kW AC charger will full-charge in about eight to ten hours (depending on the powertrain). 

If you're looking for a comfortable car to drive, the EQE Saloon is the car for you. It's smooth both around town and on the motorway, and the optional air suspension handles anything in its way with class and skill. 

In town, the EQE Saloon is helped by light and accurate steering. You'll be able to navigate tight city streets relatively easily, and there's a superb camera system that helps with parking. This camera system is certainly needed as the view out of the rear mirror is pretty restricted. 

With the standard suspension the ride quality can be a little firm at times, so we'd recommend spending a bit extra for the Airmatic air suspension. 

On the motorway, the EQE Saloon is a brilliant cruiser. It has more than enough power to reach 70mph without a care in the world, and once there, it's more than happy enough to cruise along. You'll probably be looking at a range around the 300-mile mark while motorway cruising, which is very good for an electric car. 

It also helps that you're surrounded by one of the finest cabins on the market, allowing you to relax and enjoy the drive. 

Prices for the new Mercedes-Benz EQE Saloon start from £68,245.00 OTR* or to lease from Price On Request per month.

Looking to get behind the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz EQE Saloon? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.

Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.

*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.