German cars offer buyers top-class luxury and performance, but a performance-hungry section of the market wants more. That is why top automakers have performance brands. BMW has the M division, Audi has the RS, and Mercedes-Benz has the almighty AMG division. AMG gained global popularity with The AMG Hammer, and they haven't looked back since, churning out some of the fastest and most aggressive Mercedes cars on the road.
AMG cars receive many upgrades from their reference cars, including potent hand-built engines. But times are changing, and the ICE engine is arguably on its swan song. So what happens to AMG when they have to adapt or die? Well, you thought right. AMG is going electric to keep up with the changing times. They aren't sleeping on the new Mercedes EQ family, and they've lined up higher-performance versions. Earlier this month, they unveiled the AMG EQE 53 SUV. It looks almost identical to the base EQE SUV but provides a bigger punch. Here's how it compares to the Tesla Model Y Performance.
10 Why We’d Buy The AMG EQE 53: It’s An AMG
Well, there isn't a single gearhead who wouldn't like to get behind the wheel of a high-performance AMG vehicle. They've tinkered with Mercedes cars for a long time and won over many hearts. As we enter the electric age, AMG is one of the few outfits you can expect the brand to craft venerable future high performers.
The AMG EQE 53 won't feature a big raucous sounding twin-turbo V8 engine under its hood, but we are sure it will have most, if not all, of the fun-inducing aspects of AMG cars.
9 Why We’d Rather Have The Tesla Model Y: Advanced Autopilot
Tesla's semi-autonomous driving system is the breakout feature that allows a Tesla to see the cars around it and drive itself to some degree. It is still a long way from full autonomy, but it does help alleviate most monotonous and burdensome parts of driving. Also, there is a more advanced subscription-based option, the Full Self-Driving, which comes with more features.
While Mercedes-Benz has deployed autonomous driving in prototypes like the S Class S 500 INTELLIGENT DRIVE and the Future Truck 2025, it hasn't hit mass production, so Tesla has the upper hand here.
8 Why We’d Buy The AMG EQE 53: Sportier Exterior With More Conventional Styling
Most new electric vehicles, including Tesla, come with a blend of unorthodox, futuristic, and minimalist styling and are even phasing out the rounded steering wheel. We don't know about you, but most people still love vehicles the traditional way, and The AMG EQE 53 helps out by featuring a more conventional styling than most new EVs.
The exterior is as sporty as any AMG machine and is a jacked-up option to the EQE saloon with the bigger EQS SUV looks. It has a blacked-off panel radiator grille with hot-stamped vertical chrome struts, digital headlights, a curved bumper with real air intakes, and two aggressive bonnet bulges.
7 Why We’d Rather Have The Tesla Model Y: Quick Recharging
The Tesla Model Y Performance battery can fill up from 10% to 80% in 23 minutes while using the new Version three Superchargers that supply up to 250kW of electricity. That is about 225 miles of range added in under half an hour. It goes on to fill up in about 50 minutes which is impressive by any standards.
Also, Tesla has one of the widest networks of strategic charging stations with over 35,000 global superchargers. So the Tesla Model Y presents one of the best options for alleviating range anxiety.
6 Why We’d Buy The AMG EQE 53: More Luxurious Interior
The EQE SUV comes with an interior nearly identical to the EQS SUV. It combines natural and synthetic materials, including leather and NeoTex. It feels spacious and luxurious but is as plush and detailed as any range-topping Mercedes interior. Also, the car can recycle the waste heat from the high-voltage battery and uses it to warm the cabin.
The AMG trim offers four interior options with leather trim and sport steering wheel standard. Range-topping cars feature an identical full-width Hyperscreen infotainment system that adapts to you and displays everything in view.
5 Why We’d Rather Have The Tesla Model Y: More Practical
The Model Y is among the most practical electric vehicles money can buy today. It comes with a crossover design and the ability to seat five adults comfortably, making it a great practical daily driver option for people with families to haul. Also, there is plenty of cargo space with the seats down.
The AMG EQE SUV is more versatile than other electric AMG models and tries to balance power and practicality with generous room for passengers and luggage. But it isn't as practical as the Model Y and leans more on the sporty and luxurious end of the spectrum. The larger EQS, yet to receive AMG treatment, is a better option for those seeking extra practicality and a third row.
4 Why We’d Buy The AMG EQE 53: Awesome AMG Dynamic Plus Package
It is only right that the first AMG SUV would produce incredible power. The AMG EQE 53 will come standard with two AMG-specific permanent magnet synchronous electric motors generating 617 hp and 700 lb-ft of torque. The optional Dynamic Plus Package bumps total output to 677 hp and 737 lb-ft of torque.
Engaging Boost mode turns the practical, family-friendly SUV into a quick beast capable of launching to 60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds.
3 Why We’d Rather Have The Tesla Model Y: Longer Battery Range
The EQE SUV will feature a 90.6 kWh battery capable of providing 341 miles of range in the entry-level EQE 350+ with the frugal single motor setup. The range drops to 233 miles in the AMG EQE E53. This is still good mileage for a high-performance vehicle but lags behind Tesla's impressive figures.
The Model Y Performance sees its range drop 303 miles from the 330 miles provided in the Model Y Long Range trim. Still, this is much higher than the EQE E53 provides.
2 Why We’d Buy The AMG EQE 53: Adaptive All-Wheel Drive
The EQE SUV's compact format with a short wheelbase and high-performance drive makes for an agile, fun, and luxurious ride. The standard EQE SUV will come with the option to pick a more efficient version with one motor and rear-wheel drive. The AMG EQE 53 will only feature two powerful motors making for an all-wheel drive experience.
It will come standard with a fully variable all-wheel drive alongside an AMG air suspension, rear-wheel steering, and AMG-specific roll stabilization. These form the basis for the hallmark AMG dynamic driving experience.
1 Why We’d Rather Have The Tesla Model Y: It’s Been Around Longer
Yes, we trust AMGs abilities to craft EVs as good as their iconic gas-powered models, but Tesla has been at it for over a decade now, and the proof is in the pudding. The jury is still out on the AMG EVs, and we won't know if they are worth their salt until we drive them.
Meanwhile, the Tesla Model Y is a vehicle in its third year of production and has earned rave reviews as one of the most complete electric crossovers on the market.