I’ve recently written an article on the Mercedes EQE SUV, well now we are going to look at the EQE saloon. If you have read my article on the EQE SUV, you will know that I’m not very impressed with its value proposition. I think its very expensive compared to its direct competition. So what about the EQE saloon? Well, first off, its 750kg towing capacity is a disappointment.
Table of Contents
Key Mercedes EQE Specs
- Official Towing Capacity – 750kg (all versions)
- Availability – Now
- Price – Starting £74,345 (300) > £114,000 (AMG 53)
- Range (EV Database) – 295 miles (AMG 53) > 320 miles (300/350)
- Estimate Towing Range (50%) – 148 miles (AMG 53) > 160 miles (300/350)
- Maximum DC Charge Rate – 170 kW
- Rapid Charge 10% to 80% – 33 min
- Check Used Mercedes EQE Specs
Mercedes EQE HP & Torque
- 300 (RWD) – 241 HP and 406 lb-ft of torque
- 350 (RWD) – 288 HP and 417 lb-ft of torque
- AMG 53 4MATIC (AWD) – 617 HP and 738 lb-ft of torque
Mercedes EQE Towing Capabilities
So the towing capabilities of the Mercedes EQE are very poor for its price point. All versions can only tow a maximum of 750kg. We now have many electric cars which are significantly cheaper and can tow significantly more.
That’s not to say those other electric cars are ‘cheap’, not at all. The reality is I think the Mercedes EQE, along with its other EQE siblings, are overpriced, and they offer a poor value proposition.
Now, what I will say is the EQE is currently one of the longest-range EVs currently on the market, but the price you are expected to pay for that additional range just doesn’t add up.
At the start of the promotional video above from Mercedes on the EQE, its stated, ‘when it comes to all-electric business saloons, the EQE is going to be hard to beat‘.
While it may have the longest range title currently, its not by as much as you may think. Overall, I would argue the BMW i4 is far more capable and offers much better value for money.
For instance, let’s compare the cheapest Mercedes EQE, the 300, vs the cheapest BMW i4, the eDrive40.
| Mercedes EQE 300 | BMW i4 eDrive40 | |
| Price | Starting £74,354 | Starting £56,158 |
| Range | 320 miles | 290 miles |
| 0-60 | 7.6 | 5.7 |
| Drive | RWD | RWD |
| Power | 241 HP | 335 HP |
| Torque | 406 lb-ft | 317 lb-ft |
| Battery | 89 kWh Usable | 80.7 kWh Usable |
| DC Charging | 170kW Max | 207kW Max |
| Efficiency | 278 Wh/mile | 278 Wh/mile |
| Towing | 750 Kg | 1,600 Kg |
If you compare the above figures, it should be pretty clear that as a value proposition, and especially as an electric tow car, the BMW i4 is by far the better deal.
There are some interesting things to note, such as the efficiency figures. We have been led to believe that the EQE needs to look the way it does to reduce aerodynamic drag.
However, the BMW i4 has the same efficiency figure as the EQE. The only reason the EQE goes an additional 30 miles is that it has around 9kWh more in usable battery capacity.
The EQE is significantly down on power compared to the i4, though it does beat the i4 on torque. Then again, as the EQE is only rated to tow 750kg compared to the i4 at 1,600kg, the additional torque of the EQE is a waste really.
Then there is the price. Remember, we are comparing like for like here, executive business saloon to executive business saloon from Germany’s top two brands.
For the Mercedes EQE 300, you would pay just over £18K more than for the BMW i4 eDrive40. How is Mercedes justifying that price difference for a car with generally worse specifications?
Mercedes EQE Review
Below I’ve included a review of the Mercedes EQE from CarGurus. One of the first things discussed in the video below is the price tag and that its definitely on the expensive side of things.
What’s also shown is that the EQE, due to its small saloon rear door, is also not that practical. Loading large items into the EQE would be difficult/impossible.
I think that Mercedes doesn’t even provide heated seats on the entry-level EQE 300 is also laughable at this point when spending at least £74K.
I also think its funny that according to the review above, Mercedes is marketing the EQE as a ‘sporty’ executive saloon, especially when the EQE 300 takes 7.6 seconds to get to 60 MPH.
My Thoughts On The Mercedes EQE…
With its low 750kg towing capacity, the EQE is not a practical electric tow car, but I don’t think its a very good value electric car in general compared to direct competition from BMW with the i4.
It’s that simple for me personally, I just think the Mercedes EQE is very overpriced.
Yes, it will go further than the BMW i4, but then again, it will also charge more slowly due it its lower maximum DC charge rate.
Therefore, on a long journey that actually requires you to charge, the BMW i4 could very well offer a shorter total journey time.