Used Mercedes EQE 2022-present review

The Mercedes EQE has a lot riding on it. It's a high-end electric car, for a start, but it's also an attempt to replicate the immense popularity of the conventionally powered Mercedes E-Class – that's an especially sought-after car on the used market, too.

What's more, it's a bespoke electric car, like the larger Mercedes EQS but unlike the smaller Mercedes EQA, because that SUV shares parts with the petrol/diesel/hybrid Mercedes GLA.

Performance & Range: The entry-level variant is the EQE 300. It has a 242bhp rear-mounted electric motor giving it a respectable 0-62mph time of 7.3sec. The EQE 350 has one rear-mounted motor as well, but it's more powerful, with a healthier 288bhp. That cuts the 0-62mph time to 6.4sec – slightly slower than the entry-level Tesla Model 3, but generally nippy.

There’s also the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53. It has two motors for four-wheel drive and 616bhp: 0-62mph takes just 3.5sec. That’s quicker than the BMW i4 M50 (3.8sec), but not as rapid as the Porsche Taycan Turbo (3.2sec).

The EQE 300 and EQE 350 each have a big 89kWh battery, officially providing up to 388 miles of range. In our summer real range test, the EQE 300 covered an impressive 329 miles before running out of juice – five miles more than a Model 3 Long Range achieved on the same day. The AMG version gets a slightly larger 90.6kWh battery, but a shorter official range of 290 miles – attribute that to its extra performance and heavier weight.

Ride & Handling: The EQE is designed for comfort, so it purposefully lacks the edge of sportier electric cars, such as the Audi e-tron GT and the Taycan. The downside is that, on twisty roads, the standard steel suspension struggles to contain body movements, causing it to feel somewhat unsettled. Quick changes of direction generate a lot of body lean.

Models on air suspension (you get that with AMG Line Premium Plus and Exclusive Luxury trims) have a broader bandwidth. Sport mode does a reasonable job of resisting lean in the bends, while Comfort allows the car to breathe on the motorway. However, the EQE still trips up over lumps and bumps around town, which the more controlled i4 doesn't.

Interior & Practicality: Inside, there's a lot of visual glamour, thanks to the big screens, wood detailing (available on higher trims) and ambient lighting. Still, some of the EQE's fixtures and fittings feel disappointingly cheap or flimsy, particularly around the infotainment system and centre console. The e-tron GT and the Taycan feel better put together.

While the EQE is smaller than the EQS it's still pretty spacious up front, with plenty of head and leg room for a six-foot adult. In the back, the rear bench itself is fixed quite low in relation to the floor, rear passengers will find their knees bent at an awkward angle. On top of that, the car’s swooping roofline restricts rear head room for taller passengers.

On the plus side, the EQE's 430-litre boot is a good square shape, plus there's a handy 40/20/40 split-folding arrangement, just like in the e-tron GT, i4 and Taycan. We managed to fit six carry-on suitcases in the boot of the EQE – one less than we got in the e-tron GT and Taycan and three less than we squeezed into the Model 3.

Trims & Equipment: With the 300 and 350, there are four trim levels to choose from, starting with AMG Line. It gets you 19in alloys, a panoramic glass sunroof, heated front seats, a wireless phone-charging pad, ambient interior lighting and a reversing camera.

AMG Line Premium adds 20in alloys, keyless entry, four-zone climate control and a Driving Assistance package with adaptive cruise, lane-keep assistance and blind-spot warning. Go for AMG Line Premium Plus and you get multi-spoke 21in alloys, a head-up display, a Burmester sound system, a heated windscreen, full LED headlights, a Parking Assist package with a self-parking system, a 360-degree reversing camera, air suspension and rear-wheel steering for significantly enhanced agility.

Topping off the range is the Exclusive Luxury trim. It forgoes some of the sportier touches of the AMG line trim cars, but still comes with five-spoke 21in alloys, Nappa leather seats, comfort front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats and deck-style wood interior detailing.

For the AMG 53, there are two trims: Night Edition and Touring. Along with the improved performance, these versions get some sportier AMG styling details that include AMG 21in alloys, an AMG-specific grille, a boot lid spoiler, AMG sport seats and the rear-wheel steering system.

Interested in buying a used Mercedes EQE? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

Depreciation has hit the EQE hard, creating some amazing (albeit concerning for the future) deals. Go for a 2022 EQE 300 AMG Line and you'll likely pay around £44,000, as of writing, and that's down from £74,345 as a new car. That's right, around £30,000 off.

The EQE 350 variant currently goes for around £46,000, as do EQE 300 AMG Line Premiums. The EQE 53 is newer than the two variants mentioned above and, as a result, you'll struggle to find used ones, let alone examples for less than £100,000.

AMG Line Premium Plus and Exclusive Line trims reside around the £50,000 mark, the latter often pushing above it.

Nearly new cars are still something of a bargain: if you'd like a 2023 EQE, have at least £45,000 to spend.

Check the value of a used EQE with What Car? Valuations

Find used Mercedes cars for sale

Charging: All versions have a maximum charging speed of 170kWh, which is slower than the Model 3 Long Range's heady 250kW. A 10-80% charge should take 31 minutes if you can find a suitably powerful charging point, while a full charge using a 7kW home wall box charger will take a little over 14 hours.

Insurance and servicing: Have a large budget for these two things. All EQEs reside in the maximum insurance group of 50, so the model should cost you around £1195 to insure. For two services of a 2022 EQE 300, we were quoted £1392 by Mercedes.

The EQE lacks a sporty focus, so we'd disregard the quicker EQE 350 and 53 variants and stick with the EQE 300. Instead, we'd spend our money – around £50,000 – on getting an EQE 300 that's had the Premium Plus pack fitted, because it vastly improves the ride and handling, and you get lots of other luxuries with it as well.

Our favourite Mercedes EQE: EQE 300 AMG Line (Premium Plus)

The BMW i4 is a few grand cheaper when used and the eDrive40 model's range is almost as good. The driving experience is noticeably better sorted, though.

The Tesla Model 3 is a clear step down from the EQE's level of luxury, but you can get one for less than £30,000 when used and you'll benefit from Tesla's industry-leading charging infrastructure.

Around £55,000 will net you a used Audi E-tron GT and that's a much more well-rounded package than the EQE is.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter

Interested in buying a used Mercedes EQE? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.