[Taboleo] The Standard of Luxury Electric Sedans... Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+

Simple yet luxurious interior and exterior
Driving feel satisfies with little difference from internal combustion engines

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] In an era where electric vehicles are gaining attention, Mercedes-Benz has introduced the 'The New EQE 350+' as the answer to a luxury electric sedan. As an electric sedan, the EQE is characterized by its quiet and comfortable ride. Added to this is the signature Mercedes-Benz sensibility, enhancing its luxury. The most notable feature is that it is an 'electric vehicle with the feel of an internal combustion engine.' For existing Mercedes-Benz owners, it seemed like the perfect vehicle as their 'first Mercedes' in the electric vehicle era. I experienced the EQE firsthand by driving approximately 100 km from Seongdong-gu, Seoul to Wonju, Gangwon-do.

Graceful Curves... Simple yet Luxurious Design

The first impression upon meeting the EQE is that it is 'larger than expected.' Especially compared to the 'E-Class,' which is the most popular model in Korea, its larger size draws attention.

The long overall length of 4,965 mm overwhelms most luxury sedans. Additionally, the width and height of 1,905 mm and 1,510 mm respectively provide ample space both outside and inside. Furthermore, with a wheelbase of 3,120 mm, longer than the 'S-Class SWB,' it offers a spacious interior.

The overall exterior design reflects the sleek and clean aesthetic Mercedes-Benz pursues in the electrification era. It feels like a direct continuation of the design cues from the previously unveiled EQS. The front presents a low and sleek image, while the rear is generally rounded. While Mercedes-Benz has traditionally emphasized a dignified image, the electric vehicle era brings a somewhat younger sensibility.

While the exterior's graceful curves are impressive, the interior features a simple yet luxurious design that catches the eye. Although 'simple' and 'luxurious' may seem contradictory, seeing the interior firsthand will clarify the meaning.

The dashboard and center fascia are well organized. However, the addition of ambient lighting with 64 colors and various functions adds a touch of luxury. Especially when sitting in the driver's seat, the ambient lighting on the dashboard captures attention more than the display. The Mercedes-Benz star pattern is abundant. It creates a very subtle feeling and is the element that most strongly conveys the simple yet luxurious image.

The interior space is sufficiently spacious. Although the roof silhouette is sleek, both the first and second rows have ample headroom. The second-row seats are slightly upright in shape, but the seating comfort is cozy without any discomfort. However, considering the vehicle's size, the trunk capacity of 430L is somewhat disappointing. Still, depending on the situation, folding the second-row seats allows for additional space utilization.

Abundant Power... A True 'Sedan' Without Jitters

The EQE is built on Mercedes-Benz's large electric vehicle dedicated platform ‘EVA2.’ It is a pure electric vehicle reborn from the chassis up. However, in terms of driving feel, there was little difference from the existing internal combustion engine vehicles. Considering the excellent driving feel of previous Mercedes-Benz models, this is a significant advantage.

Acceleration and stability are also outstanding. It accelerates very easily up to high speeds, and due to its high stability, the driver hardly feels like they are driving at high speed even during high-speed driving. Equipped with an 88.89 kWh battery, it delivers a maximum output of 215 kW and maximum torque of 565 Nm, which translates to approximately 288 horsepower and 57.6 kg.m of torque. The zero to 100 km/h acceleration time is 6.4 seconds.

The most impressive aspect during the EQE test drive was the regenerative braking system. The strength of regenerative braking can be adjusted via paddle shifters on the steering wheel, with a total of four levels available. Particularly, the 'Intelligent Regenerative Braking,' which automatically sets the regenerative braking, was the most appealing. It eliminates the jolting typical of electric vehicles. The motion sickness often associated with electric cars was completely absent. Apart from the sound of the electric motor during acceleration, the feel was just like that of an internal combustion engine.

The noise level is also appropriate for a sedan. The double-glazed windows and low rolling resistance ensure that little noise enters the cabin even at high speeds. Additionally, the electric vehicle-specific tires, which offer low noise and high grip, significantly reduce road noise.

The EQE guarantees a driving range of 471 km on a single charge (combined standard). The official energy efficiency is 4.3 km/kWh (combined), with urban and highway efficiencies of 4.5 km/kWh and 4.1 km/kWh respectively. During the test drive, it seemed possible to exceed 550 km with economical driving. It supports fast charging with a maximum output of 170 kW and slow charging at 8.8 kW, with fast charging taking 32 minutes to charge the battery from 10% to 80%.

Although an electric vehicle, the EQE offers the ‘comfortable ride’ that Mercedes-Benz has built over 130 years. Its strengths lie in maintaining Mercedes-Benz’s advantages while incorporating a smarter connected car system and numerous convenience features. It offers a glimpse into the future direction of Mercedes-Benz. The domestic price of the EQE 350+ is 101.6 million KRW.