Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV vs. the competition

With the entry of the Mercedes-Benz EQE Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) into the Philippine market, buyers on the hunt for a luxurious but practical electric mid-size ride have received another potent option to choose from. 

At first glance, the EQE SUV has the same slick styling as the EQE sedan. Contrary to the typical assertive style of other Mercedes-Benz models, it leans towards the elegant side thanks to its relatively smooth front end adorned with the brand’s Star Pattern grille. 

The said grille is flanked by LED headlamp clusters, providing sharp-looking LED daytime running lamps. Down below is a curvy lower front bumper, while the top of the grille is capped by a sloping bonnet with minute character lines. 

For the side, the SUV model is mostly streamlined, but it also presents a set of black plastic claddings on its wheel arches. The rear of the electric vehicle (EV), meanwhile, is further enhanced by a roof-mounted spoiler, a visually impactful LED taillight bar, and a rounded tailgate. 

Other exterior equipment available for the EQE SUV includes the AMG line exterior for more pizzazz, seamless door handles, a panoramic sunroof, illuminated running boards, power-folding side mirrors, a power tailgate, and a set of 21-inch AMG light-alloy wheels, among others. 

Inside, the model in question boasts a modern and high-tech cockpit. The latter is filled with leather-clad soft-touch surfaces, polished decorative trimmings, and plenty of glass. The aforementioned glass is mostly found on the vehicle’s dashboard, where the EQE SUV’s digital displays are seamlessly positioned. 

The Mercedes-Benz model has three displays in total. The largest one is a 17.7-inch infotainment screen, backed up by a 12.3-inch screen on the passenger side. The driver, meanwhile, gets a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. 

The German-made EV has smartphone connectivity through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also leverages artificial intelligence for optimization purposes, the brand’s Zero-Layer interface for ease of use, and augmented reality to provide better navigation for the vehicle’s driver. 

In addition to the latter features, the EQE SUV also has active ambient lighting, an air filtration and scent system, climatized leather-wrapped seats with electronic adjustability, multi-zone automatic air conditioning, wireless smartphone charging, a Burmester 3D surround sound system, and many others. 

Safety aboard the EQE SUV is handled by an array of advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS). Specifically, the model features steering assist, blind spot assist, lane keep assist, driver attention detection, adaptive cruise control, and many more. Likewise, the vehicle has several standard safety bits like anti-lock braking, stability control, ISOFIX child seat anchors, nine airbags, a fire extinguisher, a tire repair kit, and the Mercedes-Benz Tirefit tire repair kit. 

At the most, the EQE SUV’s EV powertrain can produce up to 292 horsepower and 565 Newton-meters of torque. It also has a maximum estimated range of 628 kilometers and a direct current (DC) charging of up to 170 kilowatts. 

With regards to pricing, the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is available locally at P7.19 million. 

Audi Q8 e-tron

One of the bigger rivals the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is facing in the Philippines and in other markets is the Audi Q8 e-tron. 

The fully electric version of the Q8 presents a similarly aggressive look as the internal combustion version. Up front, it has a pair of sharp Digital Matrix LED headlamp clusters, a large hexagonal grille, and sculpted details on its front bumper. 

The Audi-made SUV’s profile, meanwhile, gets even more angular details on its side sills and on the lower portions of its doors. The latter is paired with the vehicle’s bulging haunches, particularly above its rear wheel arches. The Q8 e-tron’s rear gets a bit quieter thanks to its straight LED taillight bar and its subtle black-colored rear diffuser. 

The exterior of the Q8 e-tron is completed by an array of features, including automatic centering functionality for the LED headlamps, roof rails, headlight washers, power-folding side mirrors, auto-dimming side mirrors, a panoramic sunroof, a set of 21-inch cast aluminum wheels, and plenty more.

Inside, the fully electric five-seater Audi SUV has an angular-looking dashboard mostly clad in soft materials. From the latter, the driver has access to 10.1-inch and 8.6-inch high-resolution displays linked to a Bang and Olufsen sound system. Likewise present are an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a quad-zone automatic climate control system, ventilated front seats with massage function, ambient lighting, and the Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus. 

Safety features aboard the Audi model include six airbags, tire pressure monitoring, a 360-degree parking monitor, stability control, anti-lock braking, and a car alarm. 

The latter is reinforced by several driver-assist technologies, such as lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, lane centering, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and others. 

For propulsion, the Q8 e-tron gets two options. For the lower-spec Q8 e-tron 50, its powertrain can produce up to 335 horsepower and 664 Nm of torque. The Q8 e-tron 55 (Sportback), meanwhile, can produce 408 hp and 664 Nm of torque. Power generated by both Q8 e-tron trims is sent to all four wheels via Audi’s Quattro system. 

Regarding ranges, the Q8 e-tron 55 can travel up to 582 kilometers on a single charge, while the 50 variant can travel up to 491 kilometers on a single charge. Both trims also feature up to 22 kW of charging power. 

Price-wise, the Q8 e-tron starts at P6.25 million. 

BMW iX

Also standing in the Philippine market as the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV’s competitor is the BMW iX. 

In terms of styling, the BMW EV has assumed a boxier direction. Up front, it gets an angular and closed-off version of the German carmaker’s signature grille. Positioned on the sides of the latter are keen-looking LED headlamp clusters with automatic functionality. Found below on the front is a black-colored bumper and plenty of sculpted visuals. 

From the side, the iX gets a mostly straight body line. It likewise did away with the typical plastic claddings, instead opting for bare but still square-shaped wheel arches. From the rear, the vehicle gets a pair of razor-thin LED taillights and a square-off tailgate. The latter is capped from the bottom by an aggressive bumper with protruding design features that hold reflectors. 

Exterior features made available to the BMW iX include power-folding side mirrors, a power tailgate, a set of 21-inch aerodynamic wheels, and a thermally insulated windscreen, among others. 

Just like its exterior, the iX mostly gets a straight-cut cockpit with a flat-top dashboard. Regardless, most surfaces on its interior are wrapped in luxurious and soft materials. 

Cooling inside the BMW-made EV is provided by an automatic air-conditioning system with four zones. Likewise present is the brand’s Live Cockpit Professional, ambient lighting, electric seating adjustment, wireless smartphone charging, and a Harman Kardon sound system for the EV model’s 14.9-inch infotainment display. 

The aforementioned 14.9-inch display likewise gets the German marque’s latest operating system. The latter allows the screen to get map updates and better accept commands from a natural spoken voice. Moreover, it also gets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. 

For safety, the BMW iX gets a slew of active safety features. These include active parking assist, adaptive cruise control, parking distance control, lane-departure warning, forward collision warning, and many others. 

The BMW iX's electric powertrain produces 326 hp and 630 Nm of torque. Its estimated range is up to 425 km from a single charge. 

Price-wise, the BMW iX’s sole variant for the Philippine market starts at P6.29 million. 

Photos from Juan Paolo Papa, Cesar Guiderone Miguel, Audi Philippines, BMW

Also read: 

Cabin check: what's inside the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV

Sibling swordfight: Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV vs. EQE sedan