The EQE SUV’s cabin is good. No two ways about it. Although it’s not impressive per se in the most conventional sense. For starters, the dashboard, like in the EQS sedan, isn’t layered with contrasting materials that we have come to expect in Mercedes’ high-end models. Instead, you get a 56-inch curved glass panel that houses not one, not two, but three individual screens. Finishes around the glass, naturally, are beyond premium with dollops of soft-touch materials and open-pore wood with aluminum inlays.

The primary central display is sharp and quick to respond, whereas the leftmost screen can be engaged only when the front passenger seat is occupied. In terms of usage, it has the same interface that you get on the main screen but without a few key features like smartphone mirroring. It may look odd to some but the EQE SUV’s cabin is user-friendly, with clearly marked switches and knobs that are placed exactly where you need them. What’s really neat is that there is a quick access button on the centre console for important stuff like ADAS functions and raising the ride height. Unfortunately, the touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel are still fiddly to use but the rest of the cabin, once known, is simple to operate.

In terms of space and comfort, the seats at the front are large but that absolute sense of space is missing in this dark-colored interior spec. You do get a good amount of storage space in the floating centre console with space for two smartphones, two cup holders, and a large cubby hole under the driver’s armrest. The rear seat is just as comfortable as one would expect, with good under-thigh support and cushioning but again, you may feel helmed in because of the relatively narrow windows and the dark upholstery all around.

The EQE SUV comes with an all-electric drivetrain consisting of two motors – one each on the front and rear axles for a combined output of 400bhp of power and 850Nm of torque. Beneath the cabin floor, there is a 90.5kWh battery pack that gives this SUV a claimed range of 550km and a 0-100kmph sprint time of 4.9 seconds. Headlining figures out of the way, let’s get to the actual driving bit. Let’s not forget the EQE is a big, heavy vehicle. And that it’s an SUV. But the way it drives at low speeds and gains momentum when you push the throttle pedal even slightly, it’s a treat for all your senses. In a straight line, this supposedly heavy SUV picks up speed effortlessly, and even though the acceleration may not feel as savage as a V8-powered AMG Mercedes, it doesn’t really need to.

The Mercedes EQE SUV makes a lot of sense for anyone looking to get on board the luxury EV bandwagon. It’s plenty luxurious, plenty fast, and plenty comfortable. Best of all, it’s got enough ground clearance to deal with large speed bumps when fully loaded. It’s something the old EQC SUV always struggled with and we are glad Mercedes has fixed it here. That’s all for now from this brief first drive of the EQE SUV. Watch out for our real-world range test of this car when we get it for a full road test.