Skip advert
Advertisement
Road tests

New Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 2022 review

We get to grips with the new Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 flagship electric executive saloon

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Mercedes EQE
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Verdict

The EQE combines plenty of power and stunning performance with a long range and good charging capability. The handling is also sound for a big EV that weighs this much, and we have no complaints about the refinement or the level of on-board technology either. However, at the price this top-spec AMG EQE model is likely to command, quality is not quite up to the level we expect from Mercedes – or where it needs to be at this point in the market.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Mercedes’s near-silent performance revolution continues with this, the EQE 53 from in-house tuning department AMG. It’s the more potent of two AMG-branded EQE models, sitting above the 43 version of the company’s mid-size electric saloon.

The 53 badge signifies a dual-motor powertrain that kicks out a colossal 617bhp and 950Nm of torque even in standard form. But if you opt for the AMG Dynamic Plus package, the powertrain’s output rises to 678bhp and 1,000Nm of torque.

Impressive stats, certainly, but then the EQE 53 weighs 2,525kg, so it needs a fair amount of grunt to achieve the performance an AMG-badged car in this class must have. On that front, in standard form the EQE 53 will sprint from 0-62mph in just 3.5 seconds (it’s 0.2 seconds faster with the Dynamic Plus pack) and hit 136mph flat out.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

EQE

2022 Mercedes

EQE

46,305 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £32,990
View EQE
EQE

2022 Mercedes

EQE

29,046 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £33,990
View EQE
EQE

2024 Mercedes

EQE

25,272 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £36,567
View EQE
EQE

2024 Mercedes

EQE

45,846 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £33,990
View EQE

That power is delivered courtesy of a 90.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack, but use the full performance and you’re unlikely to get anywhere near the claimed range of 322 miles. If you can find a chargepoint that’s capable of pushing the EQE 53’s 170kW DC capability, a 10-to 80-per-cent top-up takes 30 minutes, which is pretty common for any electric car, regardless of its class and performance.

On the move, the EQE feels incredibly rapid. It will romp forward with alarming aggression, but thanks to the way the electric powertrain works, the surge of acceleration is always delivered smoothly.

Advertisement - Article continues below

While you won’t get used to that prodigious pace on a first drive, the brake regeneration is easier to get to grips with. You intuitively drive around just modulating the throttle rather than touching the brakes. Besides, you’ll need to have maximum recuperation engaged if you want to get close to the Merc’s claimed range.

Thanks to the EQE’s optimised AMG Ride Control+ air suspension and rear-axle steering, it has the chassis technology to cope with the car’s huge performance. As a result, the Merc rides relatively well and changes direction with reasonable agility given how much it weighs.

However, perhaps of more benefit is the ability of the rear-axle steering to reduce the turning circle, which makes the EQE more manoeuvrable in tight spots.

Although this is a smaller vehicle overall than Mercedes’s EQS flagship, it’s still a significant size, at just under five metres long. Yet despite this, boot space stands at just 430 litres, which isn’t exactly the biggest, plus the EQE’s teardrop shape and heavily tapered roofline mean headroom in the rear could be better. At least there’s decent legroom in the back seats.

The car’s sleek design also means a low drag coefficient, which boosts economy and aids refinement, because there’s not much wind noise inside. The EQE 53 features AMG’s trademark vertical slats in its blanked-off front panel, too, while the sports seats balance comfort and support.

However, we have some issues with material quality inside this range-topping version of the EQE, because some of the plastics and materials feel very plain. There’s definitely room for improvement.

The same can’t be said of Mercedes’ Hyperscreen infotainment set-up, which is very impressive. It combines three panels beneath one sheet of glass that spans the full width of the cabin. Running the latest MBUX software, it responds quickly and is packed with features. But then, you’d expect the EQE 53 to come with pretty much everything as standard, given that prices are expected to start from significantly more than £100,000.

Model:Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+
Price:£110,000 (est.)
Powertrain:90.6kWh battery/ 2x e-motors
Power/torque:617bhp/950Nm
Transmission:Single-speed automatic, four-wheel drive 
0-62mph:3.5 seconds
Top speed:136mph
Range:322 miles (WLTP)
Charging:170kW (10-80% 30mins)
On sale:Q3 2022
Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Mercedes EQE

Mercedes EQE

RRP £69,365Used from £32,990
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £4,647 off RRP*Used from £13,800
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £4,776 off RRP*Used from £13,850
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £23,990Avg. savings £2,161 off RRP*
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Geely EX5 SUV to arrive in October, starting at £32k
Geely EX5 - front

New Geely EX5 SUV to arrive in October, starting at £32k

This new electric SUV is coming soon to the UK from Volvo and Lotus parent company, Geely
News
15 Sep 2025
Nissan Qashqai to finally go electric, but hybrid model will remain
Nissan Qashqai electric render Avarvarii - front 3/4

Nissan Qashqai to finally go electric, but hybrid model will remain

There will be an overlap of powertrains for the big-selling SUV
News
15 Sep 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Savour the Scandi cool of a Polestar 4 at only £334 a month
Polestar 4 - cornering, low shot

Car Deal of the Day: Savour the Scandi cool of a Polestar 4 at only £334 a month

Fancy something smart and sophisticated? You won’t look back with the Polestar 4. It’s our Deal of the Day for September 13
News
13 Sep 2025