Last month, Mercedes-Benz added the EQE 500 4M SUV to its growing lineup of electric vehicles in Malaysia. ‘4M’ stands for ‘4Matic.’ As you’d expect it has inherited most of the brand’s design language, which, thanks to the higher roof, and better proportions, we feel it looks better than the sedan version.
This SUV does however get a slightly more intense design effort around the grille area when compared to the sedan version, and it also incorporates a new light bar across the top of the grille and stylish 21-inch allow wheels. It employs multiple aerodynamic styling cues, like retracting door handles, to give it a slippery exterior that generates a Cd, or drag coefficient of just 0.25.
Malaysia will only be getting one variation of the EQE500—the four-wheel-drive 4Matic with 90.6 kWh which generates 408hp and, according to its WLTP figure, should deliver 552 km of range. But expect that to fall south to around 500 in real world driving. Its sizable torque output of 858 Nm means this SUV should sprint from zero to 100km/h in around 4.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 210 km/h. And charging? The EQE500 supports up to 170kW of DC power and will fast-charge from 10-80% in roughly 32 minutes.
Unique to this SUV is a menu of adjustable air suspension that can raise the EQE SUV by 30mm for greater ground clearance as well as rear-axle steering that can swing the rear wheels up to 10 degrees in either direction to aid maneuverability and handling.
Inside, the EQE500 follows the design language inside its sedan version featuring the same MBUX software interface powering the 12.8-inch touchscreen with a secondary 12.3-inch display serving as a digital instrument panel. A hands-free powered tailgate allows easy rear access to the 520-litre capacity luggage area that offers a 40-20-40 rear seat folding configuration. The SUV is also fitted with basic driver-assistance features as standard, including automated emergency braking and lane-keeping assist, active steering assist and ACC. but Mercedes requires the addition of the optional Driver Assistance package to unlock more advanced tech such as an adaptive cruise control system with a lane-centering feature.
OUR THOUGHTS
This is the peak of electric SUV luxury and the EQE500’s RM485,888 price tag is a healthy one but competitive. We like this SUV styling better than the sedan, and the extra roominess should also appeal to many buyers.