Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV Luggage Test: How much fits in the cargo area?

Once upon a time, Mercedes-Benz's naming scheme was all over the place. The CL was an S-Class coupe. A CLS was a coupe-like sedan based on the E-Class. The CLK was a coupe and convertible based on the C-Class. The SLK was a compact hardtop two-seat convertible. What did C mean? What did S mean? What did K mean? None of it really made sense. Recognizing this, Mercedes brought order to chaos by renaming models and bringing everything generally into the following hierarchy: A = subcompact, C = Compact, E = Midsize, S = Large. Those letters also corresponded with the core sedan models, while G = SUV and EQ = Electric. It's still probably hard to follow, but it does make more sense. And to keep things really simple, Mercedes wisely chose to not get too clever and just slapped "SUV" on the end of its new EQ models instead of concocting some sort of EQLE 350+ nonsense.

Any who, that's an extremely poor way of saying "The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV" is the brand's new midsize electric SUV. As the name suggests, it should be similar to the Mercedes GLE (formerly the ML-Class, BTW). In terms of rear seat legroom, that totally tracks. The EQE SUV is within three tenths of an inch of the GLE. In terms of cargo space? Um, no. The specs say it has 14 cubic-feet of space. The GLE specs say it has 33.3 cubic-feet, so not really in the same ballpark. The GLC specs, meanwhile, say it has 21.9. Heck, the EQE Sedan has a 15-cubic-foot number.

You can find the EQE Sedan luggage test here and the GLC luggage test here.

Now, it must be stated that Mercedes uses the floor-to-seatback method of cargo capacity measurement, meaning that its numbers can be compared to each other, but not to most other companies that measure floor-to-ceiling. That's a big deal. That said, 14 cubic-feet seems incredibly rinky-dink even when solely compared to the GLC (I have not luggage tested a GLE).

What this car needs is a luggage test!

Just by looks alone, the EQE SUV cargo area is definitely more compact SUV than midsize SUV.

Unlike the EQSes, there isn't a deep underfloor cargo cavity. There is a place for the charge cord and tire goo, which is comparable to what the EQE Sedan has, but toward the backseat instead of close to the liftgate/trunk lid opening.

OK, luggage description boilerplate time: As in every luggage test, I use two midsize roller suitcases that would need to be checked in at the airport (26 inches long, 16 wide, 11 deep), two roll-aboard suitcases that just barely fit in the overhead (24L x 15W x 10D), and one smaller roll-aboard that fits easily (23L x 15W x 10D). I also include my wife's fancy overnight bag just to spruce things up a bit (21L x 12W x 12D).