The all-electric Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ Sedan is a convergence of luxury, style and practicality – delivering everything the beloved Mercedes-Benz E-Class has to offer. A combination of a notchback sedan and a sinewy sports coupé, this exciting sports model is filled with innovative highlights.

The future promises many things, but with the all-electric Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ Sedan, it feels like the future is already here. That’s right, it’s a fully electric AMG – and I’ve been lucky enough to jag some time in it. To suit such an occasion, a jaunt along one of the world’s greatest driving roads seems only fitting.

Luxury upon luxury

The first thing I notice when I slide into the driver’s seat is the ‘hyperscreen’ – which is available as optional equipment – dominating the cockpit’s stylish design. Extending from one side of the car to the other as a continuous feature, it’s three separate screens in one – including a display that’s just for the front-seat passenger to use. The clarity of each display is phenomenal, and the ‘zero-layer’ design of the centre screen makes it quick and easy to locate any function you might conceivably want.

Luxury abounds throughout the cabin. From high-quality, sports-style seats to decadent trims and surfaces, the EQE 53 feels like a lavish, high-performance car. But the family-sized back seat and generous cargo space ensure that it’s functional, too.

With its striking front grille, low-slung stance and distinctive silhouette – which is gently curved for optimal aerodynamic efficiency – the EQE 53 looks like nothing else on the road. Wherever it goes, curious and admiring glances follow.

Everything feels effortless

Passing through Torquay, I stop to grab a coffee and then pop into the RACV Resort, which hosts a bank of ultra-rapid EV chargers. In just 22 minutes, I’m alerted by the car display that the battery charge has progressed from 34 to 80 per cent capacity, sending me on my way with an indicated range of 350 km.^[1]

Electric cars are inherently well balanced, as their batteries create a low centre of gravity and there’s no heavy engine block sitting over the front axle. With the gearbox, dampers and onboard sound generator set to Comfort mode, the only thing I can hear is a low rumble from the surface of the road.

There’s little traffic at this hour of the morning, and it quickly becomes evident that the Great Ocean Road is an ideal choice to showcase the EQE 53’s talents. The dynamic advantages of EV architecture, together with the 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive, deliver effortless and reliable road handling.

Power, plus

Turning right at the entrance to Lorne’s main street, the EQE 53 points its nose up the Otway Range. Once we clear the town fringe, I twist the rotary controller on the steering wheel around to Sport+ mode and let the dual e-motors unleash some of the 460 kW of power and 950 Nm of torque that’s been demurely contained until now.

Electrified driving means that all of the EQE 53’s prodigious torque is instantly and effortlessly available. Rapid acceleration is utterly phenomenal – and thanks to the big brakes, rear-wheel steering and dynamic EV design, the EQE 53 turns corners with tenacity before coming out the other side.

It's just so easy to hustle the EQE 53 along the road. Even in Sport+ mode, the stiffened dampers keep the sedan firmly planted. The steering is progressive, with decent heft that grows with speed. Some cars demand to be wrestled, but the EQE 53 achieves all the involvement with none of the toil.

Too soon I’m cresting the range and turning towards home, giving me time to contemplate the momentous performance of this vehicle.

What this car demonstrates is that prodigious performance can co-exist with an electric driving experience. At the junction of these once-separate worlds, the EQE 53 is guiding the way.

Discover the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ Sedan here.

By Steve Colquhoun


[1] Figures stated (including declared fuel consumption and emission figures) are determined by testing under track and/or standardised laboratory conditions which are (where applicable) conducted in accordance with ADR 81/02. The figures stated are for the purposes of comparison amongst vehicles tested under the same technical procedures only. Real world figures (particularly acceleration, fuel consumption and emission figures) may vary and are influenced by many additional factors such as, fuel quality, individual driving style, load, traffic, environmental and road conditions, ambient temperatures and vehicle condition.