Today I’m behind the wheel of Mercedes-Benz relatively new all-electric luxury EQE SUV – I drove the EQE300 single e-motor rear drive at $134,900 plus on road costs. It has a deceptively roomy cabin in a body that’s wide and accommodating with a stack of storage space. The EQE300 SUV is somewhat surprising it terms of interior space and with exceptional seats is supremely comfortable, roomy front and back with good luggage space. Power source, a rear mounted 180kW/550Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels with an 89kWh battery and a claimed range of 539 km – charge time on my 22kW wall box charger with 3-phase power took 1 hour 20 minutes to charge from 60 percent to full capacity. For the money the Mercedes-Benz EQE300 is a value buy in luxury terms, highly equipped, and stacked with features. The interior, dash, instrument cluster and large centre touchscreen a standout and along with a driver’s head up display as good as it gets. Biggest disappointment, and it’s the same on Benz sedan models, the steering wheel touch pads and sliders, far too small for a male’s fingers, frustrating to use and take your eyes off the road. Battery warranty – peace of mind at 10-years/250,000km. I’m David Berthon

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