NEW Mercedes EQE 500 (SUV): Way Better Than I Expected

Summary

In this review, Ben Hardy presents the Mercedes-Benz EQE 500, highlighting its 90.6 kWh battery, 402 horsepower, and impressive real-world range exceeding EPA estimates. He praises the vehicle's aerodynamic design, luxurious interior, and driving experience, while expressing concerns about its exterior aesthetics. Hardy also discusses the car's advanced technology, including a 360 camera system and self-driving features, concluding that despite its looks, it's the best EV he has tested, with a surprisingly high range and a starting MSRP of $98,040.

Takeaways

• 🚗 The Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 features a 90.6 kWh battery pack paired with a dual electric motor setup, offering 402 horsepower and 633 lb-ft of torque.
• 🔋 The EPA estimated range is 269 miles, but the reviewer found this to be inaccurate, experiencing a real-world range closer to 400 miles with climate controls engaged.
• 🏎 The vehicle prioritizes aerodynamic efficiency, resulting in a smooth exterior design, which may appear strange to some but contributes to its performance.
• 🌟 The car is equipped with distinctive Mercedes design elements such as the star-studded grille and a light bar effect in the headlights and taillights.
• 🛠️ The vehicle has a rear steering feature, which, combined with a 360-degree camera system, makes parking easier and more precise.
• 💺 The interior boasts a high-quality design with comfortable seats, a customizable gauge cluster, and an advanced infotainment system similar to the new S-Class.
• 🎶 The sound system is praised for its quality, and the ambient lighting adds to the luxurious feel of the interior.
• 🔑 The key fob and controls are typical of Mercedes, with features for lock/unlock, hatch opening, and a traditional Mercedes key design.
• 🛒 The cargo area is spacious for its class, with a built-in cargo cover and a charging bag, reflecting thoughtful design for utility.
• 💨 The reviewer found the car's driving experience to be fantastic, with excellent ride quality and enjoyable acceleration, despite being an EV.
• 🤖 The vehicle's self-driving features, including adaptive cruise control, are mostly effective, although there are some quirks with lane-changing behavior that the reviewer found jarring.

Q & A

What is the total system output of the Mercedes-Benz EQ E500 in terms of horsepower and torque?

The total system output of the Mercedes-Benz EQ E500 is 402 horsepower and 633 pound-feet of torque.

What is the stated EPA range for the Mercedes-Benz EQ E500, and what is the reviewer's opinion on its accuracy?

The stated EPA range for the Mercedes-Benz EQ E500 is 269 miles, but the reviewer believes it is extremely inaccurate and that the real-world range is significantly higher.

Why is the design of the EQE focused on aerodynamic efficiency?

The design of the EQE is focused on aerodynamic efficiency to maximize range and performance, which is evident in its smooth and streamlined exterior.

What are the wheel specifications for the Mercedes-Benz EQ E500 in terms of size and design purpose?

The wheel setup for the Mercedes-Benz EQ E500 is 255/45/20 in the front and rear, and the wheels are designed to maximize aerodynamic efficiency.

What features does the Mercedes-Benz EQ E500 have to enhance the driving experience?

The Mercedes-Benz EQ E500 has features such as rear steer, a 360 camera system with trajectory lines, and a modern infotainment system similar to the new S-Class, all of which enhance the driving experience.

What is the reviewer's opinion on the interior design of the Mercedes-Benz EQ E500?

The reviewer finds the interior design of the Mercedes-Benz EQ E500 to be one of the most beautiful ever, with high-quality materials, ambient lighting, and a modern, comfortable layout.

How does the reviewer describe the ride quality and acceleration of the Mercedes-Benz EQ E500?

The reviewer describes the ride quality as fantastic and the acceleration as really good, noting that the car feels like a spaceship and is fun to drive.

What is the reviewer's experience with the charging network and the range of the Mercedes-Benz EQ E500?

The reviewer has had a positive experience with the charging network, finding it easier to charge the car on the go, and has been impressed with the actual range, which is much higher than the EPA estimate.

What is the total MSRP of the Mercedes-Benz EQ E500 as mentioned in the script?

The total MSRP of the Mercedes-Benz EQ E500 is just under a hundred thousand dollars, specifically $98,040.

What discrepancy does the reviewer find between the EPA range estimates and the actual range of non-American electric cars?

The reviewer finds a significant discrepancy, where non-American electric cars, including the Mercedes-Benz EQ E500, consistently have a much higher real-world range than the EPA estimates.

What is the reviewer's main criticism of the Mercedes-Benz EQ E500?

The reviewer's main criticism of the Mercedes-Benz EQ E500 is its exterior design, which they find to be hideous despite the car's excellent performance and interior design.

Outlines

00:00

🚗 Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 Overview and Features

In this paragraph, Ben Hardy introduces the Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 and provides an overview of its key features. He mentions the vehicle's 90.6 kWh battery pack, dual electric motor setup, and total system output of 402 horsepower with 633 lb-ft of torque. Hardy points out the EPA range of 269 miles, which he later disputes as inaccurate. The video covers the car's aerodynamic design, distinctive Mercedes features, and new-age elements like the light bar effect of the headlights. The review also touches on the car's wheel setup, rear steering, and interior design, emphasizing the quality and comfort of the seats, sound system, and ambient lighting.

05:01

🛠 Detailed Review of the Mercedes-Benz EQE 500's Interior and Performance

This paragraph delves deeper into the EQE 500's interior and driving experience. Hardy discusses the car's modern and practical steering wheel with various controls, customizable gauge cluster, and 360-degree camera system. He also addresses the infotainment system, comparing it to the new S-Class, and highlights the car's ambient lighting and interior design, which he considers one of the most beautiful ever. The paragraph continues with Hardy's personal experience driving the EQE 500, emphasizing its fantastic ride quality, acceleration, and the lack of range anxiety due to its real-world range exceeding the EPA estimate. He also mentions a few quirks, such as the car's self-driving features and their occasional abrupt lane-changing behavior.

10:02

🔋 Discussion on the EQE 500's Range and Exterior Design

In the final paragraph, Hardy focuses on the EQE 500's range and exterior design. He expresses his suspicion regarding the discrepancy between the EPA's stated range and his real-world testing, which showed over 360 miles of range. Hardy also compares the car's performance to Tesla's, stating that the EQE 500 outperforms Tesla in his experience. However, he criticizes the car's exterior design, calling it hideous despite its beautiful interior. He concludes by reiterating that the EQE 500 is the best EV he has tested, but its exterior aesthetics are a significant drawback.

Keywords

💡Mercedes-Benz EQ E500

The Mercedes-Benz EQ E500 is an electric vehicle (EV) model from the luxury car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz. It represents the focus of the video, which is a review of its features, performance, and design. The script discusses its battery pack, electric motor setup, and overall driving experience, emphasizing the car's capabilities as a high-end EV option.

💡Battery Pack

A battery pack refers to the collection of batteries that power electric vehicles. In the context of the video, the EQ E500 has a 90.6 kilowatt-hour battery pack, which is a significant factor in determining the vehicle's range and performance. The script mentions this as a key component of the car's electric powertrain.

💡Dual Electric Motor Setup

This term describes the configuration of two electric motors used in the vehicle to provide propulsion. The video script highlights that the EQ E500's dual motor setup contributes to its total system output, which is 402 horsepower and 633 pound-feet of torque, indicating a powerful and responsive drive.

💡EPA Range

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) range refers to the official mileage estimates for electric vehicles, as tested and stated by the EPA. The script discusses a discrepancy between the EPA's stated range of 269 miles and the reviewer's real-world testing, which showed a much higher range, raising questions about accuracy.

💡Aerodynamic Efficiency

Aerodynamic efficiency is the ability of a vehicle to reduce air resistance, thereby improving its performance and range. The script mentions that the EQ E500's design is intended to maximize aerodynamic efficiency, which is evident in its smooth exterior and specific features like the wheel design and door handles.

💡Rear Steer

Rear steer is a feature that allows the rear wheels of a vehicle to turn slightly, improving maneuverability and stability. The video script notes that the EQ E500 has rear steer, which, combined with the car's other features, makes parking and driving easier.

💡Infotainment System

The infotainment system in a vehicle includes the hardware and software that provide interactive features for entertainment, information, and communication. The script describes the EQ E500's infotainment system as modern and user-friendly, with customizable settings and responsive controls.

💡Regen Paddles

Regen paddles are controls that allow drivers to adjust the level of regenerative braking in an electric vehicle, which can extend the vehicle's range by recharging the battery during deceleration. The script mentions the presence of regen paddles on the steering wheel, enhancing the driving experience by providing more control over energy recovery.

💡Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting refers to the use of indirect lighting inside a vehicle to create a certain mood or atmosphere. The video script praises the ambient lighting in the EQ E500, describing it as a feature that contributes to the car's luxurious and aesthetically pleasing interior.

💡Range Anxiety

Range anxiety is the concern that an electric vehicle's battery will run out of power before reaching a charging station. The script discusses the reviewer's experience with the EQ E500, noting that it was the first EV that gave him zero range anxiety due to its impressive real-world range.

💡Aesthetic Appeal

Aesthetic appeal refers to the visual attractiveness or beauty of an object or design. The script contrasts the car's interior, which is described as beautiful, with its exterior, which the reviewer finds unattractive. This term encapsulates the reviewer's mixed feelings about the car's design.

Highlights

The Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 features a 90.6 kilowatt-hour battery pack paired with a dual electric motor setup, delivering a total system output of 402 horsepower and 633 pound-feet of torque.

The EPA range is stated at 269 miles, but the reviewer finds this to be inaccurate, with real-world testing showing significantly more range.

The car's design, both exterior and interior, emphasizes aerodynamic efficiency, contributing to its impressive range.

The EQE 500 comes with 255/45/20 wheels designed for aerodynamic efficiency, which also contribute to its distinctive appearance.

The vehicle is equipped with rear steer, enhancing its handling and maneuverability.

The cargo area offers good space for its class, including a built-in cargo cover and a charging bag.

The interior boasts a high-quality sound system and comfortable, well-designed seats with features like lumbar adjustment and memory functions.

The gauge cluster is modern and customizable, offering various themes and views including a large navigation screen and an off-road view.

The infotainment system is similar to the new S-Class, with easy-to-use controls and a responsive touchscreen.

The EQE 500 includes a 360-degree camera system with trajectory lines that turn with the steering wheel, making parking easier with the help of rear steer.

The car's MSRP is just under $100,000, and despite the high price, it offers a premium driving experience.

The reviewer experienced no range anxiety with the EQE 500, thanks to its real-world range exceeding the EPA estimate.

Charging the EQE 500 has been made easier with an improved charging network and the car's ability to charge with standard outlets.

The vehicle's self-driving features, including adaptive cruise control, offer a comfortable and almost autonomous driving experience.

The reviewer finds the EQE 500's exterior design to be unattractive despite its beautiful and high-quality interior.

There is a noticeable discrepancy between the EPA range estimates for American and non-American electric vehicles, with the latter often exceeding expectations.

The EQE 500 is considered the best EV the reviewer has tested, but its exterior design is a point of contention.

Transcripts

hey everyone it's Ben Hardy here and in

today's gonna be reviewing the

Mercedes-Benz EQ E500 before we get into

this video though as always if you're

gonna save time and money the next time

you purchase a car link to my carbine

guide in the description down below

let's get into it

[Music]

the eqe 500 has a 90.6 kilowatt hour

battery pack that is paired to a dual

electric motor setup total system output

is 402 horsepower and then 633 a

pound-feet of torque with EPA range

being stated at 269 miles and I can tell

you that is extremely inaccurate I'll

show you guys a little bit later

before we go over the front end I do

want to mention if you're going to see

more videos just like this then I

recommend you subscribe because I post

content every single day so starting

with the hood you guys can see the lines

there on either side which is kind of

like a distinctive Mercedes design Cube

and then coming down below this is where

things get a little bit more new age you

guys can see the daytime let's look at

the overall shape of the headlight bezel

and you guys can see it creates this

light bar effect got a giant

Mercedes-Benz logo everything's closed

off here but we have a bunch of stars

there on the front a bunch of little

Mercedes-Benz logos which is pretty cool

and then parking sensors here along the

bottom and the reason why the eqe is

designed the way that it is is to

maximize aerodynamic efficiency that's

why it's so smooth looking

come around the side here our time wheel

setup is 255 45 20 in the front and over

in the rear and the wheels obviously are

designed the way that they are to

maximize aerodynamic efficiency they

definitely looked strange though I will

say now here's a quick look at the

fender flares and that Bodywork

continues along the side you do have

some silver trim there pop out door

handles obviously again aerodynamic

efficiency and you guys can see the trim

around the windows eqe right there and

by the way this does have rear steer and

here is your full side view with the eqe

again definitely an interesting design

so here's a quick look at our key fob

we've got our unlock lock function and

then the opening here for the hatch and

yeah just normal Mercedes key and now

popping into the cargo area you guys can

see we have a cargo cover built in from

the factory got a little charging bag

here as well when it comes to overall

space I mean for the size of crossover

it's really good and then you guys can

see here with a little leg thing I don't

use that personally though I just do the

button because I'm old-fashioned and

then here's a quick look at the

taillights again light bar life and then

by the way this is pretty cool how you

open up

the hatch I don't know I think that's

kind of a fun feature but anyways I

guess we got to close it again

um anyways there are parking sensors

here on the rear and then they kind of

make that trim look like there's gonna

be exhaust tips but there aren't

wrapping things up let me guys think

about the overall style but I can tell

you this is definitely function over

form that is for sure

and now take a look at the door panel

here in the rear I actually like this

trim at the top and you guys can see

down below two-tone with the coloration

and then this also looks really cool as

well and by the way the sound system is

it's really good and then here are the

seats that look fantastic and are very

comfortable normal Mercedes fashion

legroom back here is really good and you

guys can see we've got blue floor mats

which is actually really cool I dig it I

got a little storage pocket here some

vents for the rear passengers of course

we have our little armrest set up right

here and I do like the texturing on this

by the way it does hold up well over

time I know that and then last minute

now take a look at the front door panel

you guys can see again with the two-tone

design and we've got all of our

adjustments here on the side heated seat

function memory seat function all of our

window controls mirror adjustments they

do power fold in and they've got blind

spot monitoring and then here are the

front seats and it's pretty interesting

with the design how they're all

perforated and then you have your lumbar

adjustment there on each side and light

controls and then I love this here with

all the stars and also the vent and then

you guys can kind of see the ambient

lighting really cool

now take a look at the steering wheel

really cool with the overall design and

then it's also super practical so we've

got paddles on the back for the regen to

make it more or less aggressive controls

for the infotainment system and then

volume voice command controls controls

for the cruise control system and also

controls there for the center stack and

then you guys can see regular stock

there in the back for the turn signal

and then we've got our column shifter so

here is the gauge cluster and you guys

can see the epa's big fat lie so this is

with real world testing you guys can see

if I don't use the climate controls I

get almost 400 miles of range if I do

use the climate controls mid 300s how

the heck did the EPA get an estimated

range amount of under 300 miles I feel

like Tesla and rivian have relatively

accurate range mounts or sometimes the

EPA overestimates theirs but for every

other automaker it seems like the EPA

heavily underestimates it tin foil hat

anyways as for the rest of the gauge

clusters Mercedes you know modern unit

so it responds really well you can kind

of change like the overall theme with it

as well and so you can obviously do like

a big navigation screen you can do like

an off off-road view all that kind of

stuff so overall really cool

customizable gauge cluster now we do

also have a 360 camera system a

trajectory lines that turn with the

steering wheel and by the way parking

this is so easy with that rear steer it

really does help out and you know this

camera system overall responds really

well and it's Mercedes modern unit so

it's a good system and then as for the

resting infotainment system this is

similar to what you have in like the new

S-Class so you've got some buttons down

below for like the drive mode select so

for example I can press that and then

that'll go through the different Drive

modes I've honestly just had it in

comfort for most of the time there is an

off-road mode I don't think anyone would

actually take this off-road but they do

have it there aside from that response

time with the screens really good it's

relatively easy to use overall so I'd

say this whole setup it looks good and

it's easy so you guys can see the blue

on the dash and look at the ambient

lighting and I mean look at this this is

like one of the most beautiful interior

designs ever so yeah really cool there

got some couple directions it's pretty

cool so you like click it to get the

cups things out I don't even it's kind

of fun and then you guys can see with

the wireless phone charging pad and then

we got a center console pretty normal

like the trim here and then we've got

the glow boxes press that little button

right there and then that will open that

thing up

Top guitar controls here for the center

full panoramic Center for that lighter

of colored headliner so here's the one

sticker for this eqe um you guys can

hopefully see the standard equipment

it's always hard with these uh phone

window stickers anyways total MSRP is

just under a hundred thousand dollars

it's uh 98 000 and 40 and if you don't

believe me look at that EPA

269 miles on a single charge again

this this doesn't add up

let's talk about this but before you set

off here's visibility over the hood both

the mirror Studio Blends but monitoring

and throw the rest of the rear and with

that being said let's

set off okay so we are setting off in

the eqe 500 I've had this as a tester

for the week and I've got some strong

opinions obviously I talked kind of

about the range thing um I do want to

kind of extrapolate on that a little bit

um I am I also made like a little

YouTube short for that as well for those

of you that have a two second attention

span

um but anyways we'll get into that at

the end of the driving portion first off

when it comes to how this car drives it

is absolutely fantastic and this is

coming from someone who's a huge car

Enthusiast again I own a V8 Wrangler and

a GT350 Mustang like I feel like I I am

like the description of like you know

ice enthusiasts right I've got I've got

a bunch of V8 powered vehicles manual

transmissions all that kind of stuff and

I still

[Music]

I still really appreciate how this

drives so first off ride quality

absolutely fantastic obviously being an

electric car acceleration is really good

I like the sounds this makes it's

actually really fun uh I don't know it

kind of feels like a spaceship in a way

um and then you know it's just it's a

really good vehicle overall like on the

highway

super comfortable

um you can basically just do the

self-driving stuff so like the adapt the

cruise control and all that and it'll

just drive itself for the most part I

will say it does have this annoying

feature will it'll basically try to

it sounds good on the surface it'll try

to optimize your drive in terms of

efficiency with time and all that and so

it'll decide to like randomly change

lanes but like it's like super quick and

you can make it so it doesn't do it

because like if it's trying to change

lanes and then you kind of like jiggle

the steering wheel a little bit or press

on the brakes then it'll stop but it's

kind of jarring because like sometimes

you're just driving down the highway and

then all of a sudden you see like turn

signals on and it's like I'm changing

lanes and it's like no you're not

so that thing I will say is a little bit

a little bit so weird but I mean it's

kind of the world we're going into with

more self-driving

um and then on the EV side of things

this has been the best experience I have

personally had with an EV for a few

reasons um so first off it seems like

the charging network has improved

slightly here in Utah and so being able

to charge this car while I'm on the go

has been easier and on top of that the

fact that this does not get 269 miles of

range and actually gets closer to 400

miles of range it gets it has enough

range or yeah enough range on a single

charge

that I'm able to do all my daily driving

and not have to like I have had zero

range anxiety with this car this is the

first EV that I've tested where I've had

zero range anxiety so I think that 400

number is kind of like The Sweet Spot

towards enough range and also this

doesn't have a huge battery pack again

90.6 kilowatt hour battery pack so like

between the charging that I'll do when

I'm out at dealerships and then also at

home I don't have upgraded Outlets I've

got you know base Outlets so don't have

um anything there I'm able to keep it up

too close to 100 so

overall as an Eevee this is the best

Eevee that I have ever tested

but it is also you know it's it's like a

hundred thousand dollars so it's like I

hope it's good and then the thing that I

am annoyed with this car is just the

looks like it's crazy this has such a

beautiful interior it drives it like

this is in my opinion you know for like

a

commuter luxury type vehicle it's the

best ever that I've tested but then it's

so ugly on the outside like why did they

why did I understand Mercedes went for

again they went for functional reform

but like they shouldn't have done that

it's hideous on the outside but it's

such a good it's that's the thing that's

frustrating about this car is like I

feel like compared to Tesla it's it's

just blows any Tesla out of the water in

my opinion from like what I've

experienced with this

but then it's like even Tesla's look

better than this and Teslas are hideous

so there's that um and then yeah on the

Range thing like that's super sus to me

because it's just so weird that I've

tested so many electric cars and

whenever I get an electric cars made by

an American automaker it's like the EPA

range is about what I'll get so like for

example if I get a Ford Mustang monkey

and it says it gets 350 miles of range

it's gonna get 350 miles of range but at

any time that I get a foreign electric

car it doesn't matter what it is Genesis

Mercedes BMW it always states that

they're somewhere in the 200 mile range

but the EPA States and then they're

always getting like like the BMW

um what was it the I4 I had it stated

that 220 miles of range my testing

showed it had 300 miles of range this

says it has 269 miles per inch my

testing has shown that it gets over 360

miles range while using climate controls

so like I that super suspect like why is

there a discrepancy between American and

non-american automakers and why is there

a discrepancy regardless like I could

understand if the EPA range on this was

like 340 miles and I'm getting 360. it's

like oh I'm just driving more

efficiently efficiently but like when

there is a hundred over a hundred mile

difference

that is like super super suspect anyways

let me know guys think about the eqe I

think this is the best EV that I've ever

tested I just am not a fan of the looks