We all know that cranking up the performance in a battery-electric vehicle is a much different and much simpler process than the methods used over the last 100 years of internal-combustion powertrains. So, let’s see how AMG has adapted to this brave and very fast new world with the Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV.

This 2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE is the first all-electric performance SUV from the motoring masterminds at AMG. Starting with the same EQ platform that underpins the brand’s S- and E-class based all-electric sedans and utilities, AMG replaces the EQE 500 4MATIC SUV’s motors with AMG specific units both up front and in back. These specially built motors have unique windings, adapted inverters, and upgraded cooling; all so more current can flow, producing a new total of 617 horsepower and 701 lb-ft of torque.

While the midsize EQE SUV doesn’t feel overly large to drive, it does have an incredibly solid, almost tank-like presence to it, weighing in at just shy of 6,000 lbs. Yet, standard rear-axle steering helps it behave quite nimbly, and it accelerates like a vehicle half that weight, pushing you back in the seat with authority whenever you go all in on the accelerator pedal. An extended period of Mid-Atlantic rain kept us from getting track numbers, but Mercedes claims 0-60 in 3.4 seconds. We’d say that’s conservative given Race Start with Boost Function unlocks an additional 60 horsepower.

Likewise, as in previous Mercedes EVs we’ve tested, it overachieved when it came to battery range as well. With the official rating of the AMG EQE SUV at 235 miles, we plotted a 200-mile road trip, and still had 21% of battery remaining at the end of it, putting our range estimate closer to 254 miles. Max DC fast charging for the 90.6-kWh battery, which is the same battery used in the EQE 500, is perhaps not as high-performance as the rest of the vehicle. At 170 kW, it takes about 15 minutes to add 100 miles of range. Though when driving, the regen braking setup can feed power back at a rate of 260 kW. Our tester’s optional ceramic brakes were plenty strong, if a little touchy around town. There’s also active braking that likes to initiate regen before you actually touch the pedal when you’re coming up on another vehicle or approaching an intersection.

Nobody does interiors like Mercedes-Benz, and we’re not just talking about the luxurious quality of the leather and carbon fiber materials. There’s the wow factor of the dash-wide Hyperscreen, and cool aspects too, such as the turbine-like air vents. That’s before you even get to looking around at the AMG specifics like the Performance Steering Wheel, Dynamic Select Drive Modes, and even the unique AMG Sound Experience coming through the Dolby Atmos surround sound system with speakers seemingly everywhere.

It’s not all glitz and glamour though, as there are multiple thoughtful storage locations throughout the cabin, and good cargo hauling abilities too. The 18.4 cu-ft of space in back and max capacity of 59.2 cu-ft with rear seatbacks folded might just be the ticket to convincing your significant other into letting you make this oh so sensible purchase. Rear seat passengers of this five-seater will appreciate their own luxurious space, with comfortable seating, adequate leg and headroom, and multiple charging ports.

There’s nothing that screams high-performance on the outside of this EQE SUV, as AMG details are mostly subtle, though stacking both of the available AMG Night Packages adds lots of gloss black trim and dark chrome accents. There are three different 21-inch wheel patterns to choose from, as well as available 22s.

Most of the AMG goodness lies deep within, like performance-tuned fully variable 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive that adjusts torque distribution 160 times per second based on drive mode and chassis sensor info. Likewise, AMG Ride Control+ air suspension with adaptive damping and active roll stabilization is constantly monitoring road and driving conditions, along with driver input, adjusting the suspension accordingly, and delivering vastly different driving experiences spread across multiple drive settings from Comfort to Sport+.

Using 46 kWh of electricity per 100 miles, the AMG EQE SUV earns a fair efficiency rating. Pricing starts at $110,750; certainly not out of line for any high-performance vehicle these days, much less one with a Mercedes Star plus an AMG badge.

You could argue that when Mercedes-Benz made the EQ leap into full battery-electric vehicles, they prioritized precision over passion. Well, there’s a healthy dose of both here in this 2024 Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV. Now, we may just be a little lightheaded from experiencing all of the performance that’s packed into this midsize utility, but this is easily our favorite Mercedes EV we’ve driven yet; and that kind of makes sense considering AMG had a big hand in creating it.

The Hyundai Santa Fe has been through many changes during the four generations and 23 years that it’s been sold here in the U.S., but none more dramatic than what is being offered for 2024. This fifth-gen Santa Fe is certainly bigger and definitely boxier, but is it a better Santa Fe?

This 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is indeed a major departure from the wide-mouth, chrome-clad, swoopy-styled midsize five-passenger utility that we’ve known for the last 5 years, and it brings some other big changes with it.

The look is now more slab-sided, slimmed-down, and off-road inspired; drawing comparisons to Land Rover from just about everyone we encountered. The wheelbase has been extended by almost 2 inches, which adds to interior space; so much so that a third row of seating is now once again standard in the Santa Fe. Like many major departures when it comes to styling, time will tell how well it ages, or if there will be another big swing next time around. Many on our staff were not fans of the 21-inch wheels that come with the top Calligraphy trim; and it does appear like they ran out of ideas when they got to the back and called it a day.

But that flat tailgate is 6 inches wider than the previous gen, allowing for very-much minivan-like access to the cargo area, which Hyundai says is the launchpad for adventures, no longer just a simple cargo bay. There’s room for 14.6 cu-ft of adventure gear, or just groceries, behind the third row, 40.5 cu-ft behind the second row, and a max of 79.6 cu-ft with all seatbacks folded. And if you can’t fit everything back there, Hyundai has integrated a cool grab handle into the C-pillar for helping you load stuff up top.

The cockpit of this adventure vehicle feels much more like a luxury car than a rugged utility. Maybe that’s the Land Rover influence again. But really, it’s mostly on-brand from what we’ve been seeing from Hyundai lately. That’s especially the case when you escalate things to top Calligraphy trim. Its $12,500 over base and comes with features such as quilted Nappa leather seats, Eco-suede materials, dual wireless phone chargers, a sweeping panoramic curved dual screen display that we’re more accustomed to seeing in Genesis, with sturdy captain’ chairs with lots of adjustments in the second row. Two-place seating in the standard third row means a capacity of six; lesser trims come with a second-row bench upping that number to seven.

The 2.5-liter I4 turbocharged engine returns, but now as the standard powertrain, getting slightly detuned to 277 horsepower but with the same 311 lb-ft of torque as last year. All-wheel drive is an $1,800 option for all trims except in the off-road inspired XRT where it is included. A 231-horsepower Hybrid is optional. This is a lot of vehicle for the standard four-cylinder to move, even if it is turbocharged, but that seems to be the way things are heading these days. So, we’ll just have to accept the tepid jog to 60 of 7.0 seconds. To be fair, it’s still plenty quick for running errands with the family.

It uses a dual-clutch eight-speed transmission rather than a traditional automatic. Gear changes were smooth with some power drop with each upshift. We reached 95 mph at the end of the quarter-mile in 15.4 seconds. This bigger Santa Fe felt very stable at speed going down the track. It was more in its element in our handling course, with sharp and responsive steering, great balance, and lots of feedback; all making it easy to keep momentum going through the cones. We saw plenty of nosedive with a soft brake pedal in our panic braking runs. But results were quite good, with stops from 60 averaging 111 feet.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings with all-wheel drive are 20 City, 28 Highway, and 23 Combined; rounding up our 22.6 mpg of Regular average puts it right on.

An ever increasingly wide bandwidth of options has the base Santa Fe starting at $35,365 and reaching all the way up to $47,915 for top Calligraphy; the Hybrid is available in SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy trims only.
Love it or hate it, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe has made a bold step in style, but it still has plenty of substance to back it up. So yes, it is a better Santa Fe, and now with a definite upmarket push, it lands as an even greater mid-size utility value.