With the rapid increase in electric vehicle (EV) production, automakers can now focus on something more exciting: creating EVs that are fun to drive, ones that make you want to take the scenic route home. Mercedes-Benz is putting its top talent to work on this task.
For over 50 years, AMG has been transforming Mercedes luxury cars into high-performance machines. Now, this performance division is applying its expertise to EVs. We’ve already seen AMG versions of the EQS and EQE sedans, but now they’re tackling an electric SUV.
The 2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV is AMG’s upgrade on the EQE SUV that debuted earlier this year. AMG faces the challenge of replacing the visceral experience of internal-combustion engines while dealing with the higher center of gravity and additional weight to keep this SUV sporty. With a crowded market of electric SUVs, the AMG EQE SUV could either be a standout or fade into the background.
AMG models have always been understated. They resemble the standard Mercedes vehicles with only minor distinctions visible to keen car enthusiasts. This stealthy appearance is part of the appeal, and it remains unchanged for the electric models. The AMG version looks like the EQE SUV but more refined, with sharper lines. It features vertical bars on the black panel that suggest a grille, sportier wheels, and front and rear aerodynamic tweaks.
The shape stays true to the original design, with rounded edges to reduce aerodynamic drag and maximize EV range. This design isn’t the most striking, but it ensures the AMG EQE SUV is distinguished from the larger EQS SUV, which doesn’t receive the AMG treatment.
Inside, the AMG EQE SUV maintains the luxurious and modern interior of the base model. It offers ample comfort with leather seats designed for long drives. It includes the Hyperscreen display seen in other Mercedes EQ models—a combination of a digital instrument cluster, central touchscreen, and front-passenger touchscreen under one glass panel, spanning 56 inches in total. These screens operate independently and come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Mercedes’ User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, also found in the AMG EQE SUV, is user-friendly, featuring a “Zero Layer” concept that places essential functions on a map display. The voice recognition system is notably reliable, a benchmark for in-car technology.
In the AMG model, you can utilize the screens to monitor the car’s performance. The instrument cluster includes a G-meter to measure acceleration forces, while passengers can track energy flow between the electric motors or use a virtual stopwatch.
The AMG EQE SUV doesn’t compromise on driver-assist technology. It includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and a traffic-jam assist function. The lane-change assist function, though occasionally overly proactive, mostly performs as expected.
AMG’s main focus is the suspension and powertrain. The SUV features two electric motors, one on each axle, producing a combined 617 horsepower and 701 pound-feet of torque—significantly more than the non-AMG version’s 402 hp and 633 lb-ft. With Race Start mode, power can momentarily boost to 677 hp and 738 lb-ft, enabling 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds. The top speed is 149 mph, consistent with the 90.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack found in other EQE SUV models.
The SUV includes an AMG-specific air suspension with adaptive dampers, standard rear-axle steering, and an electromechanical anti-roll system to enhance handling. Upgraded brakes, multiple drive modes (Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Individual), and an artificial soundtrack to replace engine noise (which can be turned off) are also featured. The result is a smoother ride and better handling than the base model.
Despite these improvements, the AMG EQE SUV isn’t the most thrilling EV to drive. Its width and somewhat imprecise steering make navigating narrow roads a bit nerve-wracking. While it handles corners effectively, it feels more like a point-and-shoot vehicle, where the driver is mainly along for the ride.
The AMG EQE SUV excels on highways, where its power is well-utilized for overtaking. Mercedes hasn’t released range estimates for this model yet, but it likely won’t surpass the non-AMG versions, none of which are expected to exceed 300 miles per charge. It supports DC fast charging up to 170 kilowatts, allowing a 10% to 80% charge in under 40 minutes, and features a Level 2 AC power rate of 9.6 kW.
Although crash-test ratings for the EQE SUV haven’t been published yet, they should apply to the AMG model when available. Warranty coverage is expected to match other Mercedes models, including a four-year, 50,000-mile new-vehicle warranty and a ten-year, 155,000-mile battery warranty.
Overall, the AMG EQE SUV adds extra power and better driving dynamics to the base model, along with a well-designed interior and infotainment system. While it will likely be pricier than the standard version, its enhancements make it the preferable choice. However, if you’re targeting a sporty luxury EV, consider alternatives like the AMG EQE sedan, Lucid Air, Tesla Model S, Audi e-tron GT, and Porsche Taycan, which offer more driver-focused experiences.
Among electric luxury SUVs, the AMG EQE SUV outperforms the BMW iX M60 and base Tesla Model X. Audi hasn’t yet released an RS performance version of its Q8 e-tron. Future competitors include an all-electric Porsche Cayenne and potentially the Lotus Eletre SUV. Mercedes’ key achievement with the AMG EQE SUV may simply be its timely arrival to the market.