It has been a long while since I drove a Mercedes-Benz. The last time I drove one was the A35 and A45 AMGs back in 2021. And my memory was positive, albeit fuzzy on the details.

Fast-forward and I’m excited to try the quintessential Mercedes-Benz, a midsize sedan the brand is known and loved for, having been the gold standard for many generations. Does the quantum leap from ICE to EV significantly alter its reputation? Let’s find out.

The EQE is built atop Mercedes’s EVA2 all-electric dedicated platform that also spawned other Mercedes EV’s like the EQE SUV.

It has a very fluid, organic/ovoid silhouette, dictated by aerodynamic efficiency above all else. The coupe-like, steeply raked front, combined with the fastback rear, is unique.

That it happens to look handsome and futuristic—the clean lines imbuing the EQE with the right sort of timeless grace, elegance, and class—is a great benefit. The rear trunk lid sees the large brake light spanning the entire width.

Power comes from a single electric motor providing 288hp and 565Nm of torque, driving the rear wheels via a single-speed transmission. Its 90.6kWh battery gives it a promised range of 660km from a single charge, although 500km seems about right in real-world driving conditions.

The inside is equally clean, but I like the print on the dashboard reminiscent of Mercedes-AMG’s involvement in Formula 1, with the gradation stars printed on a silver background.

The seats are an elegant high-backed bucket affair, with a three-spoke steering wheel that appears equally stately as it is sporty. A 12.3-inch display greets the driver for his instrument panel, while the MBUX infotainment system is viewed on the 12.8-inch display on the center console.

With a minimum of physical buttons, it’s very refreshing compared to Mercs of old that suffered a literal explosion of buttons that was difficult to decipher.

I love the detail on the speakers, the turbine-like AC vents of the quad-zone climate control, the two-tone suede and vegan leather seats, the red stitching, and the matching red seatbelts. Small details that enrich the overall experience of being inside the cabin.

Then there’s the Burmester surround-sound system that is arguably the best for in-car entertainment: It plays my favorite Vivaldi tunes as I speed away, imagining myself in a scene with John Wick escaping the baddies.

The EQE drives very well, EV or not. It drives better than the last regular Mercedes I drove, with great steering feel that weighs up nicely.

The adaptive air suspension in particular shines bright: firm and sporty. But despite the low-ish ride height, the AMG tuned suspension always has ample stroke and filters out all the road imperfections, just like a proper Mercedes. That ride comfort is this good despite riding on huge 20-inch wheels covered in licorice-thin 255/40 tires is truly impressive.

When you open up the taps completely, the Merc feels competent driven fast and hard, but you feel that it prefers to travel at a more stately, less frenetic rate. It’s at its best at 8/10 driving where you’re going pretty quick, but not sawing madly behind the wheel.

Long-distance wafting is its forte. If you’re not stuck in traffic, the Merc is best on the highway, gobbling up the miles in serene comfort and refinement.

Because of its comfort and the space afforded by the voluminous interior, the Benz indeed makes for a very comfortable and practical everyday car, self- or chauffeur-driven. Arrive in a commanding, stately manner, but travel in a most efficient, electric means. Realistically, for everyday driving, you’ll only charge the EQE three times a month, which makes it very efficient and cost-effective.

At around P1,087 per full charge (at P12/kWh) if you charge at home, or around P3,171 if you use the public chargers, it’s cheaper than, say, premium fuel at P60/L multiplied by 65L (typical fuel tank size for a midsize executive sedan), you’re knocking at P4,000 per full tank. Makes financial sense, especially if you spend more time in traffic.

It has also got a plethora of advanced driving assistance aids like its Distronic advanced cruise control, lane-keeping assist,  park assist, 360° camera, ABS-EBD brakes with emergency brake assist, traction/stability control to tame the instant torque from the electric motor, and multiple airbags to keep you safe in the event of a crash.

With its handsome shape, spec, and driving experience, the EQE350 AMG is a great EV, and if I were to buy a brand-new Merc at this point within a somewhat realistic budget, the EQE350 AMG would be my pick, especially at a figure of P6,290,000.

Before we end this, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room. That is, the Mercedes-Benz EQE that burned down in a basement-parking building in Incheon, South Korea, taking out numerous other cars in the same car park.

The battery supplier for this Benz EV model in particular is Farasis Energy, of which Mercedes-Benz owns a 3% stake. Mercedes-Benz gets about half its EV battery requirements from Farasis.

Mercedes-Benz Philippines has issued no statement regarding the matter. I, however, can say that I had the Merc EQE for four nights, used it every day, and parked it in the basement of my condo. It never presented a problem to me in that time frame.

Would I buy one? This would definitely be on my short list of luxury EVs because the EQE350 AMG is so good in its element. It is the perfect everyday EV for well-heeled fans of the brand.