2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV Review: Flash, Pizzazz, and a Side of Dash

The days of AMG, the Mercedes-Benz performance division, stuffing snarling V8 engines into the brand’s products are dwindling down.

Times are changing and automotive manufacturers must adapt to the new world of government regulations and shifting consumer tastes. Mercedes-AMG seems to be fully aware of this as the manufacturer transitions to making hot rod versions of the brand’s all-electric offerings. But the AMG-ization of EVs isn’t like it was in the eight-cylinder-fueled past, as evident with the 2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV.

Mercedes new lineup of electric vehicles are currently going by the EQ prefix moniker. The letter that follows EQ refers to the vehicle’s size and class. So, the EQE is the mid-size equivalent to the E-Class sedan. The EQE SUV is similar in size to the GLE SUV, albeit a little shorter, narrower, and lower to the ground

The electric SUV features the usual EQ styling, which is polarizing to say the least. It includes a flush front fascia with a massive Mercedes logo front and center. The entire vehicle is rounded off at the corners, promoting its aerodynamic shape. Equipped to our vehicle are the upgraded 22-inch aero wheels. On their own, these massive alloys are quite cool, especially up close. But attached to the EQE SUV it doesn’t seem to gel, at least to my eyes.

Being an electric vehicle, the Mercedes has some cool party tricks, like the light show that occurs at night during start up and shut down. The latter concludes with the AMG and Mercedes logos projected on the ground about 15 feet in front of the vehicle.

Ever since AMG first started tuning Mercedes-Benz vehicles, one thing has always been constant – power. With the 2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV, the story hasn’t changed. Under the skin are a pair of electric motors that produce various amounts of power depending on the situation.

Like most modern EVs, there are various drive programs, which in the AMG EQE SUV, dictates the amount of total power available. In the Slippery mode, 308 horsepower (hp) is on tap. Switching to the default Comfort mode nets 493 hp. The Sport mode ups the ante to 555 hp while the Sport+ mode unleashes 617 hp and 701 pound feet of torque. For the full jam, one can opt for AMG Dynamic Select that includes Race Start with Boost, pumping power briefly up to 677 hp and 738 lb ft of torque.

When selecting Sport or Sport+ mode, the battery will precondition to ensure it remains at the optimal temperature for maximum performance. During the pre-launch of Race Start with Boost, the vehicle makes a space-ship whooshing noise inside, and shakes on its dampers as it prepares for launch. Let go of the brake and the AMG EQE SUV emits a loud exterior whoosh for passersby to hear. This is controllable though the three levels of the AMG Sound Experience.

Under maximum launch, Mercedes-Benz claims the SUV will hit 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, but we’re certain it’s a few tenths quicker than that. Is that as quick as the Tesla Model X Plaid or Rivian R1S with the quad motor set-up? No. Does it matter in the real world? Not in the slightest.

Race Start with Boost is still violent enough to make passengers give pause, needing a moment to collect themselves, or in some cases, even nauseous. Most folks aren’t used to the g-forces created by an EV’s instant thrust as it performs a sub-three-and-a-half-second launch. Only the most jaded gearhead would not consider this vehicle excessively quick.

As well, doing a full Race Start from a stop light in front of law enforcement in most states and provinces will lead to a stern talking to at best, or vehicle impoundment and a trip downtown at worst. Owners of the AMG EQE SUV are not going to be dragging races their colleagues from the country club down main street.

That stated, there is the all-important paper-spec bragging rights which the AMG EQE does lose when compared to the Tesla and Rivian. Conversely, against other EVs it will more likely to be cross shopped with, such as the BMW iX M60 and Audi SQ8 e-tron, the AMG EQE SUV holds the acceleration edge.

Providing juice to the two electric motors is a 90.6 kWh battery pack. Mercedes claims it can achieve 235 miles (378 km) of range, which is low – a side effect of massive power. During my week with the vehicle in near freezing temperatures on winter tires, I was seeing 202 mile (325 km) of range during 90% Comfort, 10% Sport+ driving.

When the battery does deplete, it can charge at speeds up to 170 kW. Mercedes claims this allows for a 34 minute 10-80% fast charge. During one charging sessions, I averaged a 112-kW recharge, which took 47 minutes to hit 80%, so the claim seems accurate. One side note is the 9.6 kW on board charger. When resorting to using a 110V outlet, the AMG EQE SUV drew a surprising amount of power out of the standard outlet.

Like most models wearing an AMG badge, the rest of the EQE SUV’s mechanics are upgraded as well. It features a fully variable all-wheel drive system, the upgraded AMG active ride control + with adaptive dampers, six-piston front calipers squeezing 16.3-inch rotors, and single-piston rear calipers clamping down on 14.9-inch brake rotors.

Try as it may though, the vehicle can’t overcome its 5,786 pound (2,626 kg) curb weight. It’s more agile than physics would dictate it should be, but with that much mass to toss around, this AMG SUV was never going to be a nimble handler. Making matters slightly worse, the tires on my test vehicle are replaced with less grippy 265/40R22 winter rubber.

Inside, the AMG EQE SUV is offered with a multitude of colors, materials, textures, and designs. My tester features Space Grey MB-Tex throughout, a flat bottom steering wheel with perforated grip, and MB-Tex seats with microfibre and red stitching. Of course, AMG badges and logos are everywhere. There are no fewer than three screens on the dashboard: the massive center display, one in front of the driver, and a third for the front seat passenger.

Overall, the interior is a mix of good and bad. I like the design, layout of the screens, and materials used for the most part. The graphics and animations on the various screens impress as do the various two-tone ambient lighting choices. But the touch sliders and controls I’m still not a fan of. I’m getting better at using them, but the precision, especially on the two main steering wheel mounted sliders is still not there.

Front seat passengers receive 39.5 (1,003 mm) of headroom and 40.6-inch (1,031 mm) of legroom. The seats are highly adjustable and provide excellent comfort. The EQE caters to rear seat passengers as well, with headroom pegged at 39.4 (1,001 mm) and legroom at 40.6-inch (1,031 mm). Despite these figures, the interior seems a bit tighter than the vehicle’s size would suggest, and while on the topic of tight, the rear cargo area only holds 18.4 cubic feet (520 L) of gear.

I did encountered a strange issues that had to with the dial switch for the headlights. It sits at the 12 o’clock position when set to auto. On several occasions after a decent drive, it would slide down to one of the headlight/parking light ‘On’ positions. I left the exterior lights on for an entire night at one point and after about the fourth time returning to the vehicle to find the lights on, it became a necessary habit to check the light switch each time I departed the vehicle.

Pricing for the 2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV starts at $110,450 including destination charges for American consumers, or $128,900 not including destination for Canadian shoppers. The way my particular test vehicle arrived, for both countries, options such as the AMG Dynamic Plus Package, the 22-inch wheel upgrade, Energizing Air Control Plus w/HEPA Filtration, illuminated running boards, and the AMG performance steering wheel would be added.

In the United States, buyers would need to add the Winter Package, 4-zone climate control, and Energize Comfort. In Canada, the Pinnacle Trim would be optioned, which adds a gluttony of features like head-up display, four zone climate control, 64-color ambient lighting, active safety, augmented navigation, and more. Canada also adds a heated windshield, and Carbon Fibre Trim.

All-in-all, this brings the as tested price to $122,210 including destination in America, or $148,925 not including destination in Canada. This puts it in the ballpark of a similarly equipped, similarly powerful, Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 AMG.

To adapt to the changing automotive landscape, it appears AMG is transitioning from all out performance to a mix of flash, dash, and pizzazz. It makes sense in the all-electric age, where excessive amounts of power and insane acceleration are relatively easy to acquire. We live in a world with 641 hp Hyundai and 556 hp Kia EVs. To set itself apart, AMG is focusing not just on power, but other high-tech features sure to impress.

Is it worth the money? That depends on what someone is looking for. If it’s a pure performance SUV, then I’m inclined to say no. There are better gas-powered options at this price point, even within Mercedes-AMG’s own lineup. But those looking for the top performing EV SUV from the pointed star brand, one that will dazzle many a passenger, the EQE AMG SUV should suffice.

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