The Mercedes-Benz EQE majors on several elements that will appeal to the brand’s traditional buyers, but adds in some strong and modern technological features that you would expect of a large and luxurious electric car. There is the slight sense that the two elements don’t go entirely hand in hand though.

Other elements, such as the saloon-only design, contribute to a sense that Mercedes is applying modern tech to an older-feeling formula.

The biggest problem is that the BMW i4 does what the EQE aims to do but much better, the Tesla Model S has a much better charging infrastructure and the old-school Mercedes E-Class, with its petrol and diesel engines, is better suited to traditional Mercedes motorway drivers.

Add in the price, which can easily stretch to £90,000 without getting silly with options, and the EQE is hard to recommend.

What we like

It’s undeniably comfortable, has a quiet and refined driving manner and has a showy interior crammed with tech. There’s a good amount of space for passengers, too, up front and in the rear seats. Plus the range is good.

What we don’t like

The ride turns from comfortable into oddly wallowing when you get to higher speeds, and the brakes are oddly unresponsive until you really push the pedal down. The interior is classic old-style Mercedes in some areas, which doesn’t work well with the technology on offer. And while looks are objective, that outside styling is going to be a challenge for many.