[Taboleo] 'All-rounder' Benz EQE SUV... Moderate Size and Many Latest Technologies

DCU and Heat Pump Enhance Energy Efficiency
Soundproofing and Safety Features Also Stand Out

Which imported car brand sold the most electric vehicles in South Korea this year? You might think it’s Tesla, the leader in popularizing electric cars. The correct answer is Mercedes-Benz. According to data from the Korea Imported Automobile Association and Kaizyu Data Research Institute, Mercedes-Benz sold the most electric vehicles among imported brands up to July, with 4,796 units. Tesla ranked second with 3,850 units, and BMW was third with 3,549 units. SUVs are also popular among electric vehicles. Mercedes-Benz electric SUVs sold 2,842 units, accounting for about 60% of the brand’s total electric vehicle sales. BMW’s electric SUVs sold 1,860 units, making up 52% of its total sales. Tesla’s SUV share is even larger, with Model Y and Model X combined selling 2,968 units, representing 77% of its total sales.

Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 4MATIC SUV [Photo by Mercedes-Benz Korea]

We test drove the latest electric SUV released by the imported brand that sold the most electric vehicles. It is the Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 4MATIC SUV. Mercedes-Benz equipped this vehicle with numerous advanced technologies, enhancing its energy efficiency and driving performance compared to other previously released Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles. As a mid-to-large SUV, its size is attractive?not too big, not too small. The price of this vehicle is 128.5 million KRW including VAT.

Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 4MATIC SUV [Photo by Mercedes-Benz Korea]

What technologies are equipped?

Mercedes-Benz explains that this is the first electric vehicle from the brand to be equipped with a DCU (Disconnect Unit), which improves driving efficiency. The DCU is a device in the all-wheel-drive system that automatically disconnects the front motor according to driving conditions, enabling rear-wheel-drive-only operation. In other words, it stops the front motor when all-wheel drive is not necessary. This reduces unnecessary power consumption. The heat pump also helps improve energy efficiency. This device uses heat generated from the inverter or motor to warm the interior. Usually, in winter, battery performance decreases due to cold weather, and using the heater further reduces energy efficiency. However, with the heat pump, the heater does not need to be operated, lowering battery power consumption and helping to extend driving range.

Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 4MATIC SUV [Photo by Mercedes-Benz Korea]

Although we could not test the heat pump’s performance, the DCU’s effect was evident in energy efficiency. When we first received the vehicle, the dashboard showed a driving range of 494 km (battery capacity at 94%). After driving 117 km only in the city, the remaining battery capacity was 66%, and the driving range was 363 km. The driving mode was Comfort, regenerative braking was set to Normal, and the air conditioning and ventilated seats were continuously on. The dashboard indicated an energy efficiency of 4.9 km/kWh. The official energy efficiency is 3.8 km/kWh based on combined standards.

When I first received the vehicle, the dashboard displayed a drivable range of 494 km (battery capacity at 94%). After driving 117 km solely in the city, the remaining battery capacity was 66%, and the drivable range was 363 km.
[Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@]

The latest version of the driving assistance system, the ‘Driving Assistance Package Plus,’ is also included as a standard feature. The cruise control was convenient to use on main roads. The vehicle responded quickly when another car cut in from the side, so there was no need to brake out of anxiety. Among the system’s features, the Pre-Safe function was particularly impressive. This function detects dangerous situations before an accident occurs to minimize occupant injury. It was reducing speed and closing the distance to the car ahead. Despite this, the system seemed concerned about a collision, as the seatbelt tightened immediately with a loud noise. Although it was an overreaction, I believe it is better to be overly sensitive for safety.

Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 4MATIC SUV Interior
[Photo by Mercedes-Benz Korea]

Rear axle steering is not a new technology but stands out as a notable feature. We made a U-turn alongside a similar-sized SUV from another brand. The steering wheel turned more than usual, and the turning radius was noticeably reduced, allowing a quicker U-turn than the other vehicle. Another impressive feature of Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles is the adjustable regenerative braking. Mercedes-Benz offers four regenerative braking modes. The D+ mode provides almost no regenerative braking. When driving in this mode, a passenger who was new to electric vehicles did not feel any regenerative braking at all.

The Acoustic Comfort Package, which blocks noise and enhances insulation using special glass and fillers, provided excellent soundproofing. Outside vehicle noises were barely audible in the city. Even when a bus passed by, the sound hardly entered the cabin, to the extent that opening the window occasionally made the bus noise feel unusually loud.

You mentioned the size is appropriate?what does that mean?

Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 4MATIC SUV with the rear seats folded down. [Photo by Mercedes-Benz Korea]

The interior space is moderately spacious. The headroom in the first and second rows is over 1000 mm, and the rear legroom is 1030 mm. The basic trunk capacity is 520 liters, which expands up to 1675 liters when the second row is folded down. It is also comfortable to drive. The EQS SUV we previously test drove felt too large or cumbersome for smaller drivers. However, this vehicle has a similar width to the EQS SUV but is shorter in length and height. In other words, it maintains space while reducing length and height, making parking less burdensome.

Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 4MATIC SUV Trunk
[Photo by Mercedes-Benz Korea]

Are there any drawbacks?

Overall, the vehicle is satisfactory, but some details were disappointing. In particular, the design of the space in front of the front passenger seat was lacking. The exposed plastic looked like it detracted from the vehicle’s luxury feel. The material itself was not very premium. The footboard installed to make it easier to get into the vehicle was actually better off not being there. Since this SUV is not very tall, even a small-sized person like the reporter could easily get in. However, the footboard kept catching the foot, hindering entry into the vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 4MATIC SUV with ambient lights turned on.
Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.