- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
Perm Magnet, LI
- Engine Power
NA
- Fuel
46h 30m chg, 500km range
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Red'n Gear
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2022)
2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE53 review
Mercedes-AMG's take on the all-electric performance sedan delivers in a lot of aspects, but is it 'AMG' enough to deserve the badge on the boot?
- Phenomenal acceleration
- Cabin quality is topnotch
- Supple ride on standard air suspension
- Lack of aural theatre...
- ... exacerbated by fake 'powerful' engine sounds
- Wireless Apple CarPlay is a bit glitchy
2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE53
The Mercedes-AMG EQE53 is the answer to the question 'What would happen if AMG stopped making cars powered by big V12 and V8 petrol engines and instead went all-electric?'.
Mercedes-Benz isn’t there yet, certainly in terms of its broader range. There are still lusty V8s and mind-bogglingly powerful four-cylinder turbocharged engines found under the bonnet of some of its most iconic cars.
But with the advent of the electric age, the German brand has started future-proofing itself against the on-again/off-again inevitability that all cars in the future will be electric.
And the hero in its quest to ensure the AMG name lives on beyond fossil fuel is this, the 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE53.
Whether Mercedes-AMG can imbue the EQE with the kind of specialness that made, makes, that heroic three-letter acronym on the boot lid so revered remains to be seen. Certainly, the raw numbers suggest it will.
Powered by two electric motors, one at each axle, the AMG EQE53 is good for a claimed 460kW and 950Nm, placing it among the most powerful Mercs ever made. It’s not quite there (the recently launched Mercedes-AMG GT63 S E Performance combines a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V8 developing 470kW and 900Nm with a 150kW electric motor for system outputs of 620kW and 1400Nm), but it's not far off.
And it edges closer still for any buyer who options the AMG Dynamic Plus package that brings with it launch control and a boost in power to 505kW and 1000Nm. Stupendous.
The EQE53 AMG also trumps its petrol sibling in terms of raw numbers, and by some margin. Taking the equivalent E-Class sedan, the Mercedes-AMG E63 S, as a guide, its 450kW and 850Nm are no match for the EQE53. On paper, at least, where there is no question its prodigious outputs point to a performance car with extreme capability.
But can the EQE53 bring the engagement, the raw emotion, that AMG cars have for decades now delivered in spades? Let’s find out.
How much does the Mercedes-AMG EQE53 cost in Australia?
The 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE53 sits at the top of a three-car EQE range that starts with the single-motor, rear-wheel-drive-only EQE300 priced at $133,575 before on-road costs or around $140,000 drive-away (in NSW).
The mid-spec EQE350 brings twin electric motors and all-wheel drive to the party and starts from $153,575 (plus on-roads) or around $161,643 drive-away (in NSW).
But it’s this, the performance-focused big dog of the EQE range, that has our attention. And it represents a sizeable jump, both in terms of performance numbers and price, over the model below it in the line-up.
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Unlocking all that AMG-fettled performance will cost you $213,574 before on-road costs and options. That translates to a drive-away price (in NSW) of almost $225,000.
That’s a lot of money, yes, but it actually compares favourably against the $270,469 (before on-road costs) asked for the twin-turbo petrol V8 2023 Mercedes-AMG E63 S, which it matches in performance if not emotional appeal.
As you’d expect from a range-topping luxo-electric performance sedan, the EQE53 is brimming with standard equipment.
Highlights include 21-inch alloys, matrix LED headlights, air suspension, rear-wheel steering, a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, wireless phone charging, nappa leather seat upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, four-zone climate control, an AMG exterior body kit with revised splitter, grille and red brake calipers, a premium Burmester 3D sound system, panoramic sliding roof, and a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assist and safety systems.
Of course, ticking a few option boxes will add to the bottom line. Our model year 2023 test car came fitted with Mercedes’s $15,600 'Hyperscreen', a 141cm single-panel display that incorporates a 12.3-inch instrument panel, a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen, and an additional 12.3-inch screen for the front passenger. That Hyperscreen price is for MY23 EQE53s. The newly-updated MY24 models will enjoy a far more affordable Hyperscreen experience with Mercedes-Benz Australia confirming it will now be a $6700 option.
And the centre console in our test car was finished in glossy carbon-fibre weave adding another $2100 to the bottom line. All up, our EQE53 asked for $231,274 before on-road costs.
Rivals are few but the obvious candidates include the Audi E-Tron GT, which can be had in standard trim for $180,200 or in high-performance RS guise for $248,200. Both prices before on-road costs.
To find a Porsche Taycan that comes close to the EQE53’s performance, we need to look near the top of the range, the Taycan Turbo that features similar outputs from its twin electric motors – 460kW and 850Nm – and while it might be 0.3sec quicker to 100km/h from standstill (3.2sec against the Merc’s 3.5sec) at $292,600 before on-road costs and options, it also commands a hefty premium over its cross-town rival.
The BMW i5 M60 comes close to the EQE53 in terms of price ($215,900 before on-roads), outputs (442kW and 820Nm), and 0–100km/h performance (3.8sec to 3.5sec). But subjectively it lacks a little of the visual drama that distinguishes the EQE from its regular E-Class stablemates. The i5 simply looks like another BMW 5 Series variant. Of course, that might also be a selling point.
Key details | 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE53 |
Price | $213,574 plus on-road costs |
Colour of test car | Graphite Grey metallic |
Options | MBUX Hyperscreen – $15,600 AMG carbon-fibre centre console – $2100 |
Price as tested | $231,274 plus on-road costs |
Drive-away price | $242,000 (approximately, in NSW) |
Rivals | Audi E-Tron GT | Porsche Taycan | BMW i5 M60 |
How much space does the Mercedes-AMG EQE53 have inside?
The EQE53 certainly makes an impression inside, especially with that optional 141cm-wide Hyperscreen that smashes your ocular senses with a sledgehammer. There’s no disguising its size, which spans the width of the dash and dominates the landscape.
But, the EQE’s interior isn’t just about that single piece of high-end technology. It’s about making its occupants feel special. And feel special it does.
Every material looks and feels like quality. From the nappa leather seats to the suede-like inserts on the doors, from the (optional) gloss carbon-fibre centre console to the embossed AMG coat of arms on the headrests, every detail has been brilliantly crafted and executed and feels like every cent of your circa $32K has been well spent.
Incidentally, that AMG coat of arms has an interesting story. It’s an amalgam of the Affalterbach (AMG’s hometown) coat of arms that depicts an apple tree next to a stream (Affalterbach literally translates – in old German – to apple tree ‘affalter’ and stream ‘bach') on the left, and a cam, valve, and springs on the right, a nod to AMG’s combustion heritage. Of course, there’s not a cam, valve or spring in sight in the EQE53.
The seats up front are comfortable and supportive, and with an array of electric adjustments, finding your ideal driving position is a cinch.
The nappa leather-sheathed AMG Performance steering wheel is endemic to the EQE53. It feels solid in hand with a reassuring heft.
It features the usual array of haptic buttons that control just about everything – from the digital instrument display to telephony and audio controls, as well as driving functions such as adaptive cruise control. They are a bit overly sensitive and can react to the softest of touches, which you think would be good, but can prove a little frustrating when you inadvertently brush the controls that change radio stations and end up listening to Hope FM or The Wiggles on repeat.
The wheel also plays host to a pair of dials, one on each side down low. The right-hand side allows you to switch through the EQE53’s various drive modes, while the left-hand dial can switch off traction control (not recommended) and toggle through the various soundscapes on offer, the fake engine noise and electronic hums that can be heard both inside and outside the car (also not recommended, you’re welcome).
The second row follows the tone set by the front row with plush materials and excellent fit and finish. There’s decent foot, knee, leg and, for someone of my 173cm stature, head room. But you wouldn’t want to be too much taller as the car’s sloping roofline and full-length panoramic roof eat into available space for your noggin.
The outboard seats are comfortable, like a lounge chair that you sink into, while the seatbacks are reclined at a nap-friendly angle.
And with no transmission tunnel into the middle-seat foot space, there’s plenty of that in abundance too for anyone perched in between. But, as is often the case, the middle seat is firmer than the comfy outboard seats and could become a little grating on longer drives.
Second-row passengers are served by separate dual-zone climate controls, while cupholders can be accessed via the fold-down armrest.
The boot measures in at 430 litres, which is adequate if not overly generous. However, the EQE53’s sloping roof line, while looking sleek and aerodynamic, doesn’t lend itself to a large boot lid. The small aperture it reveals can be tricky to negotiate with larger items such as suitcases or boxes.
The second row can be stowed away for those needing to carry longer items. Mercedes-Benz doesn’t quote boot capacity with the rear seats folded away in 40:20:40-split fashion but it opens a generous, if not flat, load area. For extra convenience, the middle portion can be stowed away independently, handy for those skis or curtain rods.
Those looking for a spare tyre to get them out of a jam need not bother. There’s an inflation kit designed to get you to the next tyre repair shop and that’s it. Par for the course for electric cars where weight and space are everything. Those batteries powering the electric motors are large. And heavy.
2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE53 | |
Seats | Five |
Boot volume | 430L seats up |
Length | 4964mm |
Width | 1906mm |
Height | 1492mm |
Wheelbase | 3120mm |
Does the Mercedes-AMG EQE53 have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
It’s hard not to be wowed by Mercedes-Benz’s Hyperscreen, the 141cm-wide screen that runs the width of the dashboard. It’s actually three screens in one – a 17.7-inch central infotainment screen, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and a 12.3-inch screen for the front passenger. It’s a lot to take in, and while it’s easy to dismiss as gimmicky, there’s plenty of functionality at the tip of your fingers or tongue.
The Hyperscreen runs the latest generation of Merc’s MBUX operating system and uses artificial intelligence (AI) to personalise the home screen and menu options to display the most commonly accessed features in one screen. Merc calls this “zero layer” and in theory, if not entirely in practice, populates the home screen with the most commonly used features and functions, removing the need for users to dig through multiple menus. MBUX also uses AI to make suggestions based on past user behaviour.
That’s all very clever and the screen for the passenger is interesting, allowing them to customise their own entertainment preferences. But really, it’s a gimmick at best.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are, of course, standard fit, with both wireless and cabled connectivity. We found connecting wirelessly a tad glitchy at times, the system failing to recognise my iPhone despite having previously connected – a touch frustrating. And when it did pair my phone, it would occasionally drop out mid-drive. More frustrating. We resorted to connecting via USB and it worked just fine.
The digital driver display can be customised to project whatever data you want or need. From classic dials that mimic the analogue gauges of Mercs of old to energy consumption data, route guidance, and even performance gauges like a g-meter, the driver display is useful in the way the passenger screen isn’t. Luckily, you still get the digital instrument cluster along with a very nice 12.8-inch infotainment screen if you don’t tick the Hyperscreen option box.
An excellent head-up display simply adds to the wealth of driving information available.
For those who like to play with their car when they’re not actually in it, the Mercedes Me Connect app provides a range of functions that can be controlled remotely via your smartphone. Things like locking and unlocking doors, opening or closing windows, using climate control to precondition the cabin, to locating exactly where you parked your EQE53 (c’mon, we’ve all forgotten at least once) can all be affected remotely. It’s a free service for the first three years of ownership, but will require a subscription if you hang onto your EQE longer.
Is the Mercedes-AMG EQE53 a safe car?
Despite sharing a platform with its EQE300 and EQE350 siblings, the EQE53 AMG has not been rated by Australia’s independent safety body ANCAP. That means it misses out on the five-star safety rating awarded to its EQE stablemates.
For what it’s worth, the non-AMG EQE models scored well in all key areas assessed by ANCAP – 95 per cent for Adult Occupant Protection, 92 per cent for Child Occupant Protection, 83 per cent for Vulnerable Road User Protection, and 82 per cent for Safety Assist systems.
2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE53 | |
ANCAP rating | Unrated |
What safety technology does the Mercedes-AMG EQE53 have?
A full suite of Mercedes-Benz’s advanced safety assist systems is bundled into the entire EQE range, including the EQE53.
It brings autonomous emergency braking (with intersection support), lane-keep assistance, lane-centring assistance, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and traffic sign recognition.
Additionally, the EQE53 is fitted with a sharp 360-degree-view camera system, automatic parking, and Mercedes-Benz 'Guards 360-degree Vehicle Protection Plus' package, the latter part of the Mercedes-Me Connect app. It adds remote collision detection, stolen vehicle assistance and emergency key deactivation.
A suite of 10 airbags – including a front-centre airbag that deploys between the driver and passenger in the event of an accident to mitigate head clashes – covers both rows of occupants.
How much does the Mercedes-AMG EQE53 cost to maintain?
Mercedes-Benz covers the EQE53 with its standard five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. But, as is the case with most electric cars on the market today, the battery lives under a separate warranty, with Mercedes offering 10 years and 250,000km surety on the high-voltage battery in the EQE range. That’s above average where the norm for EVs has landed at around eight years or 160,000km.
Service intervals are every 12 months or 25,000km, whichever comes first, with service plans available to prepay at time of purchase. For the EQE53 AMG, a three-year plan will set you back $2350, while a five-year pack is priced at $4280.
Comprehensive insurance for the EQE53 runs to $5274 annually based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
At a glance | 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE53 |
Warranty | Five years, unlimited km |
Battery warranty | 10 years, 250,000km |
Service intervals | 12 months or 25,000km |
Servicing costs | $2240 (3 years) $4085 (5 years) |
Is the Mercedes-AMG EQE53 energy-efficient?
Mercedes-Benz claims the EQE53’s batteries will use 21.8kWh per 100 kilometres over a variety of driving conditions. Our week with the luxo-EV, covering the gamut of driving scenarios, saw an indicated 24.5kWh/100km.
Mercedes-Benz also claims 435km of driving range when the 90.56kWh battery is at 100 per cent. We saw an indicated 440km when fully charged and after 298km of driving, the battery meter indicated an available range of 188km. That means, to that point, the EQE53’s battery was using less than 1km of range for every kilometre driven.
That’s down largely, we’d suggest, to the EQE53’s excellent energy-recovery system that harvests electrons while coasting and under brakes, energy it then feeds back into the battery.
This is at its best in stop-start traffic, where constant braking and the ability to coast pay dividends.
Out on the highway, it’s a different story, the high speeds and constant throttle required to maintain 110km/h returning an indicated 34.3kWh/100km. Back in the ‘burbs and the snarls of Sydney traffic, that number soon returned to mid-20s.
Recharging the battery from 10 to 80 per cent can take as little as 29 minutes according to Mercedes-Benz. That’s at a maximum charge rate of 170kW.
Slower outlets, such as an 11kW home wallbox, will take longer, of course. Mercedes quotes nine hours and five minutes for a home wallbox and just over two hours on a 50kW public charger.
New planets will form while charging the battery using a regular household power point. Stump up for the wallbox is our recommendation.
Energy Consumption - brought to you by bp
Energy Efficiency | Energy Stats |
Energy cons. (claimed) | 21.8kWh/100km |
Energy cons. (on test) | 24.5kWh/100km |
Battery size | 90.56kWh |
Driving range claim (WLTP) | 435km |
Charge time (11kW) | 9h 05min |
Charge time (50kW) | 2h 01min |
Charge time (170kW max rate) | 29min (claimed 10–80%) |
What is the Mercedes-AMG EQE53 like to drive?
Let’s talk about straightline performance, if only to get it out of the way. In regular trim, the Mercedes-AMG EQE53’s 90kWh battery and twin electric motors combine to send 460kW and 950Nm to all four wheels. That’s enough for a supercar-like 3.5sec dash from 0–100km/h.
And it certainly feels mind-bendingly fast when you find the space and the conditions to test its mettle. It’s organ-mooshing quick, and you can actually feel your insides sloshing about inside your body.
Staggeringly, adding the optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package boosts power outputs to 505kW and 1000Nm and reduces the benchmark sprint time to 3.3sec thanks to the addition of launch control. Our test car wasn’t equipped with that Dynamic Plus madness. And nor does it need to be. In standard trim, if standard is indeed a word that can be applied in this context, the EQE53 is car enough.
But normal driving isn’t about smashing the throttle in search of land speed records. Sure, it's nice to know you have all that power and torque available to you, but once you've done it a couple of times, the novelty soon wears off. Instead, enjoy the EQE53 for what it is, a capable and comfortable luxurious electric car.
In regular driving, the kind of driving undertaken by sane people, the EQE53 is perfectly benign. Throttle response has been calibrated to ensure smooth driving characteristics. There’s no hair-trigger response of the kind that leaves your brain scrambling to catch up. Instead, moving through traffic is entirely predictable and sensible, with the caveat that should you want to unleash a soundless fury, you could.
Motorway cruising speeds feel like a warm-up run, an easy lope around the edge of the oval that barely raises a sweat. It feels as effortless as walking to the shops.
That feeling is helped by the excellent damping qualities of the standard fit air suspension, which simply gobbles up all manner of bumps and lumps on the road with commendable ease. Sure, you can dial in some hard-edged sportiness via the drive-mode selector, but even then the overall feeling is of a settled and comfortable tourer.
Just for giggles, I took the EQE53 to one of my favourite stretches of rural back roads, the kind of roads that in the right car can leave you grinning for days. And while there was no hiding from the EQE’s 2558kg mass, it still had the power to surprise. Sure, it’s not a sports car, and nor does it pretend to be. But it is more than capable of being hustled through twisting sections with some poise.
The four-wheel steering helped keep things nice and compact, as did the air suspension in its sportiest Sport+ setting, which firmed things noticeably while also lowering the ride height by 15mm, just enough to keep the centre of gravity in check. The end result, while not exactly a bastion of corner-carving goodness, was that the EQE53 displayed a level of cornering ability defying preconceptions.
Yes, weight transfer is keenly felt, but things like body roll and traction remain well in check, even if some considered circumspection is needed on corner entry. The pay-off comes on exit, where the response from the throttle unleashes all the electric fury, propelling you to the next corner approach at a rate that seems illogical.
Our test car wasn’t fitted with AMG’s optional carbon-ceramic brakes. And you don’t need them, other than for pose value. Stopping power is stupendous, although I’d suggest ensuring that if you are challenging a beguiling and teasing stretch of twisting tarmac, turn off all regenerative braking. It’ll only get in the way of a good time.
Revel instead in what is an undoubted performance car, albeit one that weighs 2.5 tonnes which brings with it physical limitations.
The biggest glaring hole in the EQE53’s performance is also one of the most inconsequential in terms of actually providing that performance. Sound.
Who hasn’t been awed by the throaty snarl of an AMG-fettled four, or the lusty rumble of an AMG bent-eight, or the out-and-out symphony of combustion of one of the world’s great V12s? It’s part of the DNA of the House of Affalterbach, and, I’d wager, a large part of the appeal of owning an AMG.
Here, though, nothing but a futuristic whine as the EQE53 wafts along in near silence, even when pushed beyond what is reasonable on the road. You can, of course, set the forced sound to ‘Powerful’ and it does its best to imitate, as the name suggests, a powerful combustion engine on song.
Except it’s not a song. It’s an imitation of a song, as if you’d recorded the engine note of an AMG V8 on your tape deck and then used that first recording to record another tape. And so on and so on. It sounds anything but lusty. It sounds exactly like what it is… an imitation.
And that dulls the experience, because for me, so much of what makes an AMG an AMG is wrapped up in ‘the sound’. Take that away and all you have left is a stupendously fast electric car that, despite all the fancy dressing inside and out, is just another stupendously fast electric car.
Key details | 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE53 |
Engine | Dual electric motors |
Power | 460kW |
Torque | 950Nm |
Drive type | All-wheel drive |
Transmission | Single-speed |
Power-to-weight ratio | 179.8kW/t |
Weight (tare) | 2558kg |
Spare tyre type | Tyre repair kit |
Turning circle | 10.7m |
Should I buy a Mercedes-AMG EQE53?
There’s no doubt the Mercedes-AMG EQE53 is a capable and stupidly fast car, one that looks from the outside like the future has arrived early.
The interior alone is sure to impress, a blend of modern technology and unquestionable luxury befitting of the three-pointed star and that near-mythical three-letter acronym on the boot.
And Mercedes should have little trouble attracting buyers for what is AMG’s most daring offering yet, one that easily outperforms almost all of the heroic internal-combustion monsters that have come before.
But it does so in an entirely new way – a way we’re still coming to grips with. While electrification has unlocked performance car makers of old could only dream about, it’s come at an emotional cost.
The Mercedes-AMG EQE53 is a different kind of AMG – one that is undeniably true to the performance roots of the brand. Yes, it’s a different take on the AMG formula, but Mercedes has done a great job – in almost all aspects – of ensuring there is a place for high-performance cars in an electrified future.
How do I buy a Mercedes-AMG EQE53 – next steps?
The next steps on the purchase journey are to check the Mercedes-Benz Australia website for stock levels and your nearest dealership. You can also use the handy configurator to work out the final drive-away price on the model grade you’re considering.
In terms of recommending any one grade, if outright performance is your priority, then the EQE53 fits the bill and fits it comfortably. For those who want to prioritise driving range, the entry-level EQE300 and its 508km range could be a better option. In between, the EQE350 offers the same all-wheel-drive platform as the EQE53 AMG but without the manic performance numbers and with a claimed driving range of 462km. The EQE53’s claimed range is 435km.
As always, we’d strongly recommend taking a test drive to ensure the EQE53 fits your needs. You might also want to consider taking some of its main rivals, such as the Porsche Taycan and Audi E-Tron GT, for a spin around the electric block.
You can also find Mercedes for sale at Drive.com.au/cars-for-sale.
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