Mercedes EQE Review: The Electric Luxury Sedan That Makes Teslas Feel Basic
10.01.2026 - 10:22:46When "Going Electric" Starts to Feel Like a Compromise
You know the story by now. You test-drive an electric car, you love the instant torque, you nod politely at the massive touchscreen, and then reality creeps in. The ride is crashy. The cabin feels like a tablet glued to some plastic. The wind noise on the highway is louder than your podcast. And somewhere deep down, you miss the feeling of a real luxury car.
For a lot of drivers, that's the hidden pain of today's EV market: you're asked to trade character and comfort for range and software. The future is fast, sure. But is it actually comfortable? Is it quiet? Does it feel like a sanctuary, or like a tech demo?
This is where the Mercedes EQE steps in, quietly shuts the door, and seals out the noise—literally.
Meet the Mercedes EQE: Electric, but Unapologetically Mercedes
The Mercedes EQE is Mercedes-Benz's all-electric business-class sedan, sitting as the electric counterpart to the E-Class and a sibling to the bigger EQS. It's built on a dedicated EV platform, not an adapted gasoline chassis, and it shows: smooth proportions, short overhangs, and a cabin that feels like it was carved out for passengers first, batteries second.
On the official Mercedes-Benz EQE overview page, the company highlights its long-range capability, advanced driver assistance, and that now-famous MBUX infotainment system with an optional Hyperscreen in some markets. Real-world reviews and user reports back this up: the EQE is less about drag-race numbers and more about creating a cocoon of electric calm.
If you're coming from an E-Class, an S-Class, or even a premium ICE competitor, this is the first EV from Mercedes that feels like you're not giving anything up—just swapping the gas station for a charging cable.
Why this specific model?
So why choose the Mercedes EQE over the growing crowd of electric sedans? Let's break it down into what matters in your daily life, not just spec-sheet bragging rights.
- Range that makes commuting and road trips easy: Depending on the exact variant and market, WLTP figures comfortably clear the 500 km mark on certain EQE models, and US EPA-style ranges are typically in the mid-200s to low-300s (miles). Translation: you can commute all week, or crush a highway run, without obsessing over chargers every hour.
- Ride comfort and silence: Owners and reviewers on forums and Reddit consistently praise the EQE's refinement. The optional air suspension (availability varies by market) and excellent sound insulation make it one of the quietest EV cabins outside of the ultra-luxury tier.
- MBUX that feels mature, not gimmicky: The latest MBUX infotainment system offers sharp graphics, natural-voice control, and deep integration with navigation and charging. Features like Electric Intelligence route planning help you plan long trips around charging stops in a way that feels thought-through, not bolted on.
- Interior that feels like a luxury car first, EV second: No minimalist, bare-dashboard aesthetic here. Whether you spec it with the expansive Hyperscreen (in regions where offered) or the standard central display, the EQE's interior is all ambient lighting, sculpted surfaces, and high-quality materials. It feels premium even when parked.
- Safety and driver assistance: As you'd expect from Mercedes-Benz Group AG (ISIN: DE0007100000), the EQE is packed with advanced driver-assistance systems—adaptive cruise, lane keeping, automatic emergency braking, and more—making long drives less tiring and urban driving more reassuring.
In practice, that means the Mercedes EQE doesn't just perform well in YouTube drag races; it makes your Monday morning commute and Friday night highway haul noticeably calmer, easier, and more controlled.
At a Glance: The Facts
Here's how some of the defining features of the Mercedes EQE translate into what you actually feel behind the wheel.
| Feature | User Benefit |
|---|---|
| Long-range battery (model-dependent, often > 500 km WLTP) | Fewer charging stops, more flexibility for daily use and road trips without range anxiety. |
| Fast DC charging (high kW capability, model- and market-dependent) | Recharge a significant portion of the battery during a coffee break, not a full meal stop, on long journeys. |
| MBUX infotainment with EV-specific navigation and voice control | Intuitive route planning with integrated charging, natural-voice commands, and a modern, responsive UI. |
| Optional air suspension and advanced chassis tuning | Comfortable, controlled ride that smooths out poor road surfaces and reduces fatigue on long drives. |
| High-grade sound insulation and aerodynamic design | Exceptionally quiet cabin even at highway speeds, ideal for conversations, calls, or just decompressing. |
| Comprehensive driver-assistance systems | Extra layer of safety and reduced workload in traffic or on the highway thanks to semi-automated support. |
| Luxurious interior materials and ambient lighting | Cabin that feels special every time you get in, enhancing the sense of occasion on even the shortest trips. |
What Users Are Saying
Dive into Reddit threads and EV forums and a clear pattern emerges around the Mercedes EQE.
The praise:
- Comfort and refinement are the most frequently mentioned positives. Many owners say it's one of the most comfortable EVs they've driven, with low wind and road noise and a "true Mercedes" ride.
- Interior quality gets high marks. Compared with some rival EVs that lean into minimalism, EQE owners tend to appreciate the more traditional luxury vibe, ambient lighting, and material choices.
- MBUX and navigation receive generally positive feedback once users are familiar with the system. The EV-specific features, like intelligent route planning with charging stops, are considered genuinely useful.
The criticism:
- Pricing is a recurring talking point. In many regions, the EQE is positioned at a premium versus some rivals, especially once you start adding packages and options.
- Trunk practicality and rear space come up for tall families. While it's a proper sedan with a usable rear seat, some users note that the sloping roofline and sedan trunk format lack the outright cargo versatility of hatchback-style EVs and SUVs.
- Software complexity is mentioned occasionally. MBUX is powerful, but there's a learning curve—some users would prefer fewer menus and options.
Overall sentiment skews positive: if you're looking for a comfort-first, premium-feeling EV sedan and you're okay paying for that experience, the EQE is often described as a "grown-up" alternative to more tech-showcase-focused rivals.
Alternatives vs. Mercedes EQE
The electric sedan space is getting crowded, so how does the Mercedes EQE stack up?
- Tesla Model S / Model 3 Long Range: Teslas typically offer excellent charging network access and strong efficiency. However, many shoppers find their interiors more minimal and less luxurious. If you care deeply about a premium cabin, sound isolation, and ride comfort, the EQE often feels more "finished" and refined, even if Tesla wins on sheer charging ecosystem convenience in some markets.
- BMW i5: BMW's electric 5 Series rival leans sportier in character. If you prioritize sharp handling and a more driver-focused feel, the i5 has real appeal. The EQE counters with a softer, more comfort-oriented ride and a distinctively futuristic interior atmosphere.
- Audi Q8 e-tron / other electric crossovers: Many buyers cross-shop sedans and SUVs. Electric SUVs offer higher seating positions and more cargo flexibility, but their extra height can hurt efficiency and refinement. The EQE keeps you lower to the ground, sleeker through the air, and generally quieter at speed.
- Hyundai Ioniq 6 / Kia EV6: These offer strong value and excellent charging speeds. If budget is a primary driver and you're less focused on classic luxury-brand ambiance, they're compelling. The EQE justifies its higher price with brand prestige, cabin materials, and that particular Mercedes sense of calm.
In other words, the Mercedes EQE doesn't try to beat every rival on every metric. Instead, it doubles down on what made Mercedes successful in the first place: comfort, quiet, and a feeling of effortlessness.
Final Verdict
The EV world is full of loud promises—0–60 times, screen sizes, over-the-air updates. The Mercedes EQE takes a different approach: it's an EV that whispers instead of shouts.
If your frustration with many electric cars is that they feel like tech products first and cars second, the EQE is the reset button. You get a proper luxury-sedan experience—cosseting ride, hushed cabin, a sense of solidity and craft—wrapped around a modern electric powertrain that lets you glide past gas stations like they're part of a different decade.
It's not the cheapest way into an electric sedan, and it's not the flashiest spec sheet warrior. But if you want an EV that you can live with every day, that respects your need for comfort, quiet, and design, the Mercedes EQE makes a compelling case as one of the most mature, confidence-inspiring choices on the market right now.
For drivers ready to leave gasoline behind without leaving luxury behind, this might be the car that finally makes "going electric" feel like an upgrade in every sense.


