Mercedes-EQ EQE SUV Offers Ample Tech For A “Volume” EV

Mercedes-Benz began full-scale detailed teasing of the EQE SUV on Sunday during the first round of NFL games. They used a weird, dreamlike cinematic short (10 minutes) to emphasize the they are taste-makers and that the EQE SUV is the pivotal SUV for the brand. That means it is low enough priced that it can sell in large numbers, but high enough priced to be meaningful to the shareholders. Translation: this will be $80k to $100k when it starts rolling out of Merc’s Georgia factory.

Thankfully job 1 is expected in December 2022, so this thing is real and imminent. Lots of people think it looks “blobby” but we suspect Mercedes has done some surface work that will make it better in the metal. Maybe. The interior is EQ standard and pretty impressive, if a bit too reliant on screens (Knobs? Nein!). Big screens. Very big screens. Elon envy is running rampant?

The audio got our attention too. The EQE SUV is the first vehicle certified by Dolby to use Dolby Atmos 4D 360-degree sound. This requires Atmos-enabled sound files and creates a surround-sound experience similar to being in a modern home theatre. Atmos comes with the optional 15-speaker Burmester stereo upgrade, with speakers and amps built by the super high-end home audio manufacturer. Also Apple Music with Spatial Audio will come fully integrated into the MBUX infotainment system—making the head-position sensitive music experience available on a non-Apple device for the first time. This allows music and audio to come from the direction of the screens even as you look over your shoulder to make a lane change (old school, we know; we listen to turntables too).

There are AMG versions too, in 2024. These can be ordered with up to 677 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. We aren’t sure of the point, but AMG often refines the drive in a nice way, if you’ve got spare cash.

Range is quoted around 340 miles on the Euro standard, so somewhat less by EPA testing. Not bad and probably a good balance of range vs. price.