Mercedes EQE SUV is sporty outside, spacious inside

Mercedes-Benz introduced an all-electric EQE for the Korean market Tuesday, the second SUV to be developed based on the German carmaker's EVA2 modular platform.

Mercedes-Benz's all-electric EQE SUV [MERCEDES-BENZ KOREA]

Mercedes-Benz introduced an all-electric EQE SUV for the Korean market Tuesday, the second model to be developed based on the German carmaker's EVA2 modular platform.

The new EQE SUV made its world debut at the Digital World Premiere in October and its Korean debut at the 2023 Seoul Mobility Show in March.

The EQE comes with a heat pump without paying extra. The pump uses waste heat from the electric motor and battery to heat the cabin, helping to drive more efficiently and increase range.

It is also the first electric model to have a Disconnect Unit (DCU), which automatically disconnects the front motors and drives in rear-wheel drive, depending on the respective driving situation and the required power. For example, at low loads, the DCU switches from all-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive by decoupling the front electric motors and transmission.

Interior of the EQE SUV [MERCEDES-BENZ KOREA]

Thanks to 1,000 millimeters (39 inches) of seat headroom in both the first and second rows, the vehicle has a spacious interior. The trunk capacity stands at 520 liters (137 gallons) and expands to 1,675 liters when the second seats are folded down.

Two options are offered, the EQE 350 4Matic that can travel 404 kilometers (251 miles) per single charge and the EQE 500 4Matic that can run 401 kilometers per single charge, according to the Korean Ministry of Environment.

The high-performance AMG model is scheduled to be introduced later this year.

The sticker price starts from 110 million won ($85,043).

"The new EQE SUV combines a luxurious, sporty exterior with a spacious interior while delivering significant improvements in aerodynamics and driving efficiency," said Kilian Thelen, vice president of product, marketing and digital business at Mercedes-Benz Korea. "We expect the new EQE SUV to meet the needs of Mercedes-Benz's discerning customers and to establish itself in the Korean market as an 'all-round' electric SUV that has it all — design, versatility and driving performance."

Mercedes' EV sales are rising in Korea. It sold 1,363 EVs in 2021, but that rose three-fold to 5,006 last year. It already sold 4,039 units this year through June, becoming the No. 1 imported EV brand, beating Tesla.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]