Review Mercedes-Benz EQE: What do owners and experts really say?

The Mercedes-Benz EQE arrived as the dedicated electric counterpart to the traditional executive class, positioned directly below the larger EQS. Built on the brand's bespoke EVA2 electric architecture, the first-generation Mercedes-Benz EQE Saloon (chassis code V295) made its world premiere on 05 September 2021. European order books opened on 15 March 2022, and the first customer deliveries commenced in late April 2022.

Offered exclusively as a four-door saloon within this model series, the range initially launched with the rear-wheel-drive EQE 350+ and the Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 4MATIC. Mercedes-Benz widened the European portfolio in July 2022 with the addition of the EQE 300, EQE 350 4MATIC, EQE 500 4MATIC, and the AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+.

Aimed primarily at executive company car drivers, long-distance commuters, and fleet operators transitioning away from combustion saloons, the EQE prioritises aerodynamic efficiency and touring refinement for business travel.

Owner feedback on the Mercedes-Benz EQE shows that long-term mechanical reliability is still taking shape on the European used market, but day-to-day experiences highlight specific electronic and software teething troubles. Owners frequently report that the flush motorized exterior door handles can intermittently refuse to extend upon approach or fail to respond to touch inputs. Another repeated grievance involves unexpected 12V auxiliary battery depletion after short idle periods. When this low-voltage battery drops charge, it triggers a cascade of false error warnings across the instrument cluster and temporarily immobilises the vehicle by preventing the high-voltage contactors from engaging. Authorised dealer power management updates have been reported to resolve the underlying parasitic drain in many cases.

In addition, owners report rapid tyre wear on the inner shoulders of the rear wheels, where substantial vehicle mass and rear suspension geometry can exhaust tyre tread within 24,000 to 32,000 km.

The electric Mercedes-Benz EQE saloon has also been subject to several official European safety recalls addressing mechanical fasteners, electrical fuses, and software logic.

Verified Safety Recalls

Before buying, checking that all required workshop campaigns have been completed is essential, which buyers can independently verify using CarAudit.

The electric Mercedes-Benz EQE relies entirely on permanent magnet synchronous motors paired with a single-speed automatic reduction gear on each driven axle. Buyers can select between single-motor rear-wheel-drive configurations focused on cruising efficiency and dual-motor all-wheel-drive versions engineered for all-weather traction and rapid pace.

For city driving and everyday commuting, the rear-wheel-drive EQE 300 delivers smooth and quiet operation, although the vehicle’s substantial exterior dimensions are tailored primarily for open-road touring.

For mixed driving and long motorway journeys, the rear-wheel-drive EQE 350+ is the most balanced variant in the lineup. It provides composed overtaking capability while achieving lower energy consumption than the dual-motor options, making it a practical choice for drivers who prioritize distance between charging stops.

Buyers who regularly encounter winter weather or plan to pull trailers should opt for the all-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz EQE. Both the EQE 350 4MATIC and the punchier EQE 500 4MATIC provide secure traction, while vehicles manufactured from April 2024 onward feature a front-axle disconnect unit that decouples the front motor during gentle cruising alongside a significantly uprated towing rating.

Performance enthusiasts have two distinct options. The Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 4MATIC balances swift acceleration with everyday suspension compliance, whereas the flagship Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ delivers aggressive acceleration at the expense of higher energy consumption and a stiffer baseline ride.

The electric drive units have demonstrated solid mechanical reliability in service.

Real-world range and charging

The sleek aerodynamic profile of the Mercedes-Benz EQE helps minimize high-speed energy consumption on the motorway compared to upright electric SUVs. Cold winter weather leads to a notable reduction in driving range due to cabin climate demands, though cars manufactured from April 2024 onward mitigate this loss with a standard heat pump. DC rapid charging performance remains consistent across European fast-charging corridors, sustaining high intake rates well into the battery replenishment cycle.

These exterior dimensions do not apply to performance AMG models, which feature extended aerodynamic aprons and a lower ride height; maximum boot capacity with rear seats folded remains unverified by official manufacturer standards.

The long wheelbase provides ample legroom for rear passengers, though the sweeping roofline noticeably limits headroom for taller occupants. The optional panoramic glass roof further reduces available rear headspace. Rear seating flexibility is supported by standard three-way split-folding backrests with a load-through facility. Everyday cargo practicality, however, is restricted by the conventional saloon lid: the boot aperture is narrow and awkwardly shaped, complicating the loading of bulky items. Furthermore, the Mercedes-Benz EQE saloon lacks a front luggage compartment beneath its sealed bonnet, meaning charging cables must share space with luggage in the rear.

Road testers broadly commend the electric Mercedes-Benz EQE saloon for its hushed acoustic isolation, noting that road, wind, and powertrain noise remain thoroughly suppressed at motorway speeds. When equipped with optional air suspension, the chassis glides smoothly over coarse surfaces and bridge expansion joints. Optional rear-axle steering lends the long four-door noticeable agility in tight city spaces alongside stable tracking through fast bends. The performance-focused AMG derivative uses firmer damping that manages vertical body movements tightly over crests, albeit by sacrificing low-speed compliance.

The cabin divides opinion. Front occupants enjoy supportive seat contouring and a fast-acting central touchscreen, but ergonomic flaws draw repeated criticism. Testers find the touch-capacitive steering wheel controls distracting on the move, while the arched roofline restricts rearward visibility. Lower dashboard mouldings and plain plastic console trims were also judged disappointing for an executive vehicle.

Professional evaluations agree most strongly on the braking system: on models produced before the April 2024 update, the pedal action was universally criticised for an inconsistent, spongy transition between regenerative deceleration and mechanical friction discs. In higher recuperation modes, the pedal actuator mechanically pulled downward beneath the driver's foot without direct input, making smooth stops awkward to judge. Reviewers differed mainly on open-road damping control, where some appreciated the supple long-distance gait while others faulted floaty vertical rebound over undulating secondary roads.

All the charts in this section reflect Carvago listings across the entire Mercedes-Benz EQE model family, including other generations represented in the data, rather than exclusively the reviewed generation, and do not establish a separate price level for the reviewed generation alone. Across these advertised listings, the median asking price sits at €50,000 for 2022 models and €53,600 for 2023 examples. Listings from 2024 record a median asking price of €52,500, while 2025 vehicles stand at €53,500 and 2026 cars reach €62,000.

Between May 2026 and October 2026, the number of advertised Mercedes-Benz EQE listings shifted from 2,182 cars down to 1,684. The chart below tracks how monthly availability has moved across this six-month span.

Even with the overall reduction in listings to 1,684 by October 2026, buyers continue to have a substantial volume of vehicles to choose from on the market.

Among Mercedes-Benz EQE cars advertised today, the median asking price for vehicles built in 2022 is €50,000, whereas for those built in 2026 it stands at €62,000. The chart below shows how asking figures compare across available build years.

Buyers focusing on 2022 models see a median asking price of €50,000, while 2023 to 2025 selections sit close together between €52,500 and €53,600, with 2024 listings coming in below 2023. For those targeting 2026 examples, the median asking price reaches €62,000.

This depreciation curve illustrates how the Mercedes-Benz EQE loses value as it ages, shedding 13% of its residual value in its first year and 26% by age three. The following chart maps this progression across vehicle age.

Over seven years, the model sheds 43% of its residual value, keeping more than half of its initial value. The sharpest drop occurs in the first year, after which the pace of depreciation moderates considerably.

Active listings for the model family consist entirely of electric powertrains, starting at 2182 electric vehicles in May 2026 and standing at 1684 in October 2026. The chart below details the advertised volume across the recorded months.

With zero listings recorded for petrol, diesel, or hybrid variants throughout the period, shoppers will find exclusively electric choices on the second-hand market.

The chart tracks the average asking price for the Mercedes-Benz EQE from May 2026 to October 2026, opening at €52,700.

Overall movement remained minor relative to the vehicle values, with the monthly average dipping to €51,800 in July 2026 before closing the recorded period at €53,100 in October 2026.

Sources: mercedes-benz-media.co.uk, adac.de, europa.eu, autocar.co.uk, autoexpress.co.uk

This article was prepared using artificial intelligence tools. The section guarantor is Petr Dušek.