2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE

2024 Mercedes-Benz EQE - Design Review

Overall Grade = C-
AVERAGE​

Front End: D+
    Good: Aggression
    Bad: Cheap, gloss grille
Rear End: C
    Good: Clean lines
    Bad: Very! bland
Side: C
    Good: Rim size and design
    Bad: Boring!
Overall Appeal: D 
    Good: Luxury appeal
    Bad: Simple and boring to the max!​

​​​​Score: 46.98%
Grade: C-
Rating: AVERAGE
AutoLooks Rating: 4.7 out of 10

Front End: 44.07%
Rear End: 50.49%
Side: 52.50%
Overall Appeal: 40.87%

AutoLooks Buy List: WATCH
Recommended Tuner: NO
Trent Setter: NO
Future Classic: NO
Stock Value: SAME

                Green may be the future, but if Mercedes-Benz is it, then we don’t want it.  Bland boring styling is not what the future requires and when it comes to Mercedes EV future, this is what comes to mind.  You don’t really have to go far to find it, as they have been going down a blob like slide for a quite some time now.  But with the introduction of the EV world, Mercedes is really starting to show their true blob like presence.

                If you are like us and really thought that the introduction of the bubble lights in the 90’s was the first slide, then you’re in for a treat, as Mercedes entry into the EV world is making more 

​headway on those circular lights.  With the EQS the simple but luxurious form was prevalent and it seems now that this is moving over to the CUV marketplace as well. 

                Simple lines, blank spaces and chrome dots make up the bland styling of today’s Mercedes products and it seems that with the release of their EV products, this is becoming more prevalent.  A limit on hard edges and a use of more gloss plastics is what today’s luxury EV has.  No more are the days of hard edges and muscular profiles.  This could be because the cleaner the EV, the further it travels.  The same was true about the combustion engine as well, but we didn’t follow it, because we wanted some style as well.

                     With the fall of the wagon format from Mercedes, it almost seems fitting that the only variation we would find of the EQS would be a CUV counterpart.  Gone are the days of wagons, coupes and convertibles, as they move aside for sedans, CUV’s and crossovers.  Too bad, as an EQS sedan would have more sport inspiration in it than its CUV counterpart.

                    Simple lines mixed with gloss plastic is what make up the EQE CUV and its now in any way good.  Sure, the luxury format is still there and most luxury owners prefer a vehicle which looks like its worth a lot, but what about the sport and power appeal.  I guess that is what AMG is for, although they really don’t make much of a difference when it comes to their versions of the EV’s. 

                     Cheap flat plastic accents surrounding nearly non-functional intake ports is just one of the features which grace the front end of this curvy blob called luxury.  This can be said of the overly basic lights as well.

                     The only good feature with the front of the EQE CUV, would have to be the star accents on the gloss black grille plate.  This may make it seem like there still is a grille without having to be a true grille.  Along with this, the stars do add a touch of class to the front of the EQE as well.

                   Literally sliding down the side, you find yourself again in a wash of clean flowing lines which lack any true character.  Oh wait, there is a character line at the bottom which is trying to break up the side profile.  Unfortunately, it isn’t doing much for it, as it looks to be out of place amongst the flowing body panels.

                      Gloss black seems to be the new accent colour of choice.  Where chrome once stood, black now resides.  This could be good if this was the AMG version, but as it is the base version, the black does not add anything to the overall luxury appeal of this model.  The only chrome we do get is on the wheels.  Which of course are the only good point to this side.

                    Oversized in a good way, the wheels try to make up for where the body cannot.  A complex design gives the rims the appeal of being a smooth riding product which prides itself on its luxury appeal.  Some black mixed with a splash of chrome help the rims stand out from the crowd, as Mercedes tries to redeem itself and its sporting image.

                     Rolling off the roof will make you dizzy and so will the lack of any key features.  Flowing body panels, cascading rear glass and a blob like rear light, all fall into the smooth bland aspect of the rear.  All of which will make you dizzy, as you keep wondering how a once great automobile company could get away with something so simple.  This is not luxury, this is boring.

                     We can say that Mercedes did find a good spot to put their logo, as anyone can easily find it.  Along with this they did integrate some rear air ducts to give the back end some cool factor.  Cooling your brakes is good and the EQE CUV can do it right.  Along with this heat can be displaced from your battery, but not by much.  The layout is good, but the follow through is not.

                   Overall, the EQE CUV is just another step into the future of flowing blob like products.  We are not fans of them, but if Mercedes-Benz can make them work, then maybe we will give them a chance.  Too bad that anyone can change the logo and make you believe its their product, as the design language of the EQ models is so simple, anyone can replicate it.

Everett J.
#autolooks
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​COMPETITION:
BMW X7 - 56.39%
Roewe RX9 - 56.93%
Wey 80 - 53.30%
​Volvo EX90 - 60.70%