Mercedes’ upcoming electric SUV begins its testing

The Mercedes star still shines, and SUVs remain popular. Yet, the two haven’t quite married well so far.

At Mercedes, electric SUVs are lined up like pearls on a necklace, but do they truly shine? From the EQA to the luxurious EQS SUV, along with the EQB, the EQC, and the EQE SUV, the EQ range seemed to promise a revolution. However, none of these models really made a splash. Critics often point out decent but not extraordinary ranges, premium prices that sting a bit, and a lack of that “little something extra” that’s very fashionable and makes us dream.

So, where is the problem? Could it be a curse hanging over this noble line of vehicles? Some say that the futuristic design has left fans of traditional luxury cold. Others highlight the fierce competition from Tesla or Hyundai, which seem to have a better grasp of the mass-market electric SUV segment. As a result, the EQs struggle to become segment stars. But the story isn’t over. With the growing popularity of electric SUVs, Mercedes still has all the cards to reverse the trend. All it takes is a truly convincing model to break this spell. The electric G-Class? Too unconventional. So, the only thing left is to find the right recipe like the ML did in its time.

This could be this new high-performance SUV based on the entirely electric AMG.EA architecture. But when you hear AMG, you think sky-high prices… Add to that the use of axial flux motors and a new high-performance battery concept, and the bill gets even heavier.

It’s therefore likely that this SUV will be more AMG than EQ, a deliberate choice that appeals to a relatively limited customer base. And when Xiaomi announces a YU7 with nearly 700 horsepower for less than 40,000 euros, one wonders what place Mercedes will really have in the segment. As for brand loyalists on a tight budget, they will have to settle for the current offerings for a few more months… or look elsewhere.

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