FASTEST OR FARTHEST? With electric cars, you can have the quickest acceleration or the longest range, but never both at once. It's all about picking the compromise that works best for you, and this explains the existence of the new Mercedes-Benz EQE 500 saloon.
With a hearty 402bhp on tap, it's comfortably quicker than the cheaper EQE 350+, at the cost of official range dipping from that car's 429 miles to a less remarkable 386 miles - partly because the 500 has a smaller battery: 90.5kWh (usable) versus 96kWh. That range will still suffice for many, though, and it beats the 306-mile promise of the even faster AMG EQE 53, which has the same battery.
The EQE 500's range also beats that of the rival BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport, which officially manages 354 miles on a full charge. It's 1.3sec quicker than the i5 from 0-62mph, too, but the Mercedes trails the BMW when it comes to ride comfort and driver appeal.
As with all EQES, the 500's ride, while never harsh, can feel unsettled. Its soft set-up is often tripped up over sharp abrasions that the i5 handles more delicately.
This story is from the Awards 2025 edition of What Car? UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Awards 2025 edition of What Car? UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
BEST FAMILY CAR
TOYOTA COROLLA 1.8 Hybrid Icon
BEST SMALL CAR
RENAULT CLIO 1.0 TCe 90 Techno
Playing the long game
A new generation of family-friendly electric SUVs with lengthy official ranges and keen pricing has arrived. Let's find out which of them is best prepared to meet your needs in the years ahead
Ford Puma Gen-E
Small electric SUV builds on the petrol-engined Puma's talents when it comes to practicality On sale Spring Price from £29,995
Toyota Land Cruiser
Latest iteration of this 4x4 gets chunky new looks and a modern interior but mostly sticks with a proven formula On sale Now Price from £74,995
Coming around again
The Mini Cooper has seen many reinventions during the past seven decades, and now Renault's much-loved small car of the 1970s is following suit-exclusively with electric power. We test the two back to back
WHEN A BATTERY MEETS ITS MAKER
End of life isn't necessarily the end of the story for electric car batteries, as Claire Evans finds out
Honda O Series SUV
Distinctive SUV with advanced driver assistance spearheads the brand's new electric line-up On sale 2026 Price from £46,000 (est)
Toyota Urban Cruiser
Versatile small electric SUV brings a 249-mile official range On sale Autumn Price from £36,000 (est)