Divyank Kushagra Bansal 
In a bid to strengthen its EV portfolio in India, Mercedes-Benz has launched the EQE SUV at INR 13.90 million. As the name suggests, it is a crossover version of the EQE sedan, based on the same EVA2 architecture that underpins that model, the larger EQS sedan, and EQS SUV. Though there is also an AMG performance version on sale overseas, for now, India only gets the top-spec 500 4MATIC variant of the standard car.
Powering the EQE 500 4MATIC SUV is a 300kW (402.3bhp) & 858Nm dual-motor, all-wheel drive powertrain. It comprises a 90.56kWh lithium-ion battery, which offers a claimed WLTP-certified driving range of 550 kilometres. Thanks to these output figures, the EQE 500 SUV tops out at 210km/h, and does a 0-100km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds. While the car comes with an 11kW AC charger, charging options include DC fast- charging at up to 170kW.
In terms of features, much like any Mercedes EV, the EQE 500 SUV comes loaded to the gills. The list of offerings includes a massive 56-inch MBUX Hyperscreen (three screens connected under a single housing), advanced all-LED ‘Digital’ lighting, a 15-speaker Burmester 3D surround sound system, front massage seats, a HEPA filter, head-up display, Level-2 ADAS, and Airmatic Suspension, to name a few.
Key rivals to the EQE 500 SUV include the Audi Q8 e-tron, BMW iX, and Jaguar I-Pace.
