Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV

The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is an executive luxury all-electric SUV manufactured by Beijing Benz on the EVA dedicated electric platform, serving as a core member of the Mercedes-EQ stable. The model made its global debut in 2022 and entered local production in China in 2023. On 19 November 2025, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV was officially launched with three variants on offer, carrying an official retail price tag ranging from RM486,000 to RM630,600. As an annual minor model update, the 2026 EQE SUV carries over the outgoing exterior and interior styling, focusing primarily on targeted upgrades to its advanced driver-assistance systems and cabin comfort. Positioned in the executive luxury all-electric SUV segment, its primary rivals include the BMW iX and Audi Q6L e-tron.

Design Language

The 2026 EQE SUV retains the signature design ethos of the Mercedes-EQ family, characterised by a sleek and aerodynamic profile. Up front, it features the standard "Black Panel" enclosed grille adorned with a star pattern across the range, integrating a constellation of three-pointed stars connected seamlessly to the full-width LED light strip and flanking headlamp clusters for a cohesive visual presence. Mercedes-Benz’s "Digital Light" headlamps come standard across all trims, elevating not just visual flair but also nighttime illumination safety and intelligent projection capabilities. In profile, the wing mirrors are aerodynamically positioned directly on the door panels; a segmented waistline lends subtle contouring to the flanks, while flush pop-out door handles help minimise aerodynamic drag. At the rear, the full-width 3D helix LED tail lamps provide an unmistakable light signature at night. The overall drag coefficient stands at an impressive 0.25 Cd. In terms of dimensions, the vehicle measures 4,880 mm in length, 2,032 mm in width, and 1,679 mm in height, riding on a 3,030 mm wheelbase. Inside, the EQE SUV features a wraparound cockpit layout finished with ARTICO synthetic leather, metallic air vents, open-pore wood trim, and extensive soft-touch materials to deliver the marque’s hallmark luxurious ambience. Lower-spec variants feature a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, a fully digital instrument cluster, and a portrait-oriented central touchscreen, whereas the top-spec model comes fitted with a triple-screen display. Tailored specifically for the Chinese market, the SUV adds 10 exclusive amenities, including a front-passenger chauffeur control switch ("Boss Button"), comfort rear headrests, and acoustic laminated front glass.

Powertrain and Performance

The 2026 EQE SUV is powered by standard dual permanent magnet synchronous motors on both axles, providing a dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) layout across the range. The front motor generates a maximum output of 135 kW, while the rear motor churns out 215 kW. Together, the system delivers a combined total output of 300 kW (408 PS) and a peak torque of 858 Nm. The official century sprint (0-100 km/h) is clocked at 5.1 seconds (with some figures stating 4.9 seconds), on to a top speed of 200 km/h. Energy is supplied by a 96.1 kWh ternary lithium battery pack with cells sourced from Farasis Energy, yielding a CLTC-rated pure electric driving range of 609 km. When it comes to charging, it supports DC fast charging, taking approximately 0.58 hours (around 35 minutes) to juice up from 10% to 80%, while standard AC charging takes about 13 hours. Power consumption is rated at 17.0 kWh per 100 km. Globally, the line-up also includes other powertrain configurations such as the EQE 300 SUV and EQE 350 4MATIC SUV.

Chassis and Handling

Built on the dedicated EVA EV platform, the EQE SUV boasts a clean, flat underbody architecture. Suspension duties are handled by a front double-wishbone independent setup and a rear multi-link independent setup. The front setup utilises Mercedes-Benz’s signature dual-ball joint double-wishbone design crafted entirely from aluminium alloy to sharpen handling response, complemented by a five-link rear axle. The range-topping flagship variant comes standard with AIRMATIC air suspension, offering variable damping and ride height adjustment that actively monitors road surfaces with millisecond-level reaction times. Higher-spec trims are equipped with active rear-wheel steering capable of up to 10 degrees of steering angle. Steering is managed via an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system. Drivers can toggle between multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Sport, Eco, and Off-road. The chassis setup strikes a well-judged compromise between ride comfort and dynamic driving composure.

Cabin and Equipment

Inside the cabin, the 2026 EQE SUV comes standard with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster across all variants. The central infotainment display differs by trim: entry and mid-tier grades receive a 12.8-inch screen, while the flagship variant is upgraded to a massive 17.7-inch central infotainment screen alongside a 12.3-inch front passenger entertainment display. Higher-spec models can also be optioned with the MBUX Hyperscreen—a sweeping curved glass panel stretching over 1.4 metres that seamlessly integrates three individual displays. Running the latest MBUX infotainment system, the interface supports customised AutoNavi navigation with AR head-up guidance, voice control, and over-the-air (OTA) software updates. Audiophiles are treated to a standard Burmester surround sound system. Notable comfort appointments include multi-colour ambient lighting, Active Ambient Lighting, wireless smartphone charging, and four-zone automatic climate control. The seats are wrapped in synthetic leather (with genuine leather available as an option), complete with power adjustment and heating functions for the front occupants. Boot capacity stands at 520 litres, expanding up to 1,675 litres with the rear seats folded flat. In addition, the vehicle features an interactive sound experience system that generates dynamic acoustic profiles based on 12 vehicle parameters.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The EQE SUV comes comprehensively equipped with both passive and active safety kit. Passive safety is anchored by 8 SRS airbags, including dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, and a front-centre airbag. On the active safety front, standard equipment includes Blind Spot Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Forward Collision Warning, and Active Brake Assist. For automated driving, the 2026 model comes standard with a Level 2 driver-assistance suite encompassing Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Lane Keeping Assist, and Blind Spot Assist. Mid- and top-tier variants add Highway Navigation Assist. Selected variants are further enhanced with Lane Centring Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, and Active Lane Change Assist. The onboard sensing hardware comprises 12 ultrasonic sensors and 1 millimetre-wave radar. The safety suite is further bolstered by a 360-degree surround-view camera system with a transparent bonnet/chassis view, Active Parking Assist, and PRE-SAFE Impulse Side protection.

Market Performance and Overview

Since its introduction, the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV has faced sluggish sales momentum in the Chinese market. In the first half of 2025, cumulative sales of the EQE SUV reached just 1,560 units—a steep 78.69% year-on-year drop—with monthly deliveries in June sinking to 219 units. Across the first seven months of 2025, total sales amounted to only 1,713 units, translating to an average of fewer than 300 units per month. Moving into 2026, performance saw a mild rebound but remained subdued, registering 775 units in Q1 2026, of which 596 units were shifted in March alone. Full-year sales for 2026 are projected at around 4,400 units. To clear inventory amid soft demand, dealerships have rolled out heavy discounts, pushing actual transacted prices down into the RM300,000 to RM450,000 bracket. Automotive industry observers attribute the lacklustre sales mainly to early consumer perceptions regarding EV adaptations derived from internal combustion architectures that compromised range and software intelligence, combined with aggressive competition from domestic Chinese EV manufacturers in the RM300,000 to RM500,000 price segment. Mercedes-Benz reportedly plans to phase out the EQE SUV model by 2026. As a cornerstone of Mercedes-Benz's EVA dedicated electric platform, the EQE SUV embodied the brand’s technological ambitions in the luxury EV space, yet its market reception underscores the stark hurdles legacy luxury carmakers face in navigating the electric transition.