There’s a big difference between the Mercedes-Benz EQB and the smaller EQA models. While both are categorised as compact SUVs, and both fully electric vehicles, they look and feel very different. While the EQA has more of a crossover style, with a sloping back, the EQB is more of a traditional SUV shape. It’s taller and squarer and therefore instantly feels bigger.
Based on the internal combustion engined Mercedes-Benz GLB model, the EQB has a rather impressive trick up its sleeve – or rather in its boot. Pull on the tabs inside the boot and up pops a third row of seats, changing this car from a standard 5-seater into a serious people carrying 7-seater.
While there are other 7-seater EVs, these are mostly mini-vans or giant high-end models like the Kia EV9 and the Mercedes EQS SUV. The EQB is considerably cheaper and more compact, but still offers that premium Mercedes experience. So what is the car like to drive? I spent a week behind the wheel to try it out.
How much is the Mercedes-Benz EQB?
The Mercedes-Benz EQB starts from £52,800 / $53,050 for the EQB 250+ model. There’s also an EQB 300 model, which starts from £55,310 / $57,200 which has a little more power but considerably less range. The driving assistance package – which adds the adaptive cruise control and active steering assist – is an extra £1495 ($600 in the US) on all models. I tested the EQB 250+ AMG Line Executive with the assistance package, costing £56,555 on the road.
As there’s currently no EQC model in the Mercedes range, there’s a big jump up to the EQE SUV from here, and an almost £22k jump in price. You can however pick up the plug-in hybrid version of the Mercedes GLC from £58,860 (not currently in the US). BMW’s iX2 comes in at around the same price as the EQB, which is sportier looking but doesn't have as much range – or the extra row of seats.
Features and design
Though largely similar to the GLB petrol powered SUV, there are some giveaway EQ touches to the EQB. At the front, the solid black grill pate forgoes the chrome stripe through the centre and gains daylight running LEDs that stretch the full width, going above both headlights and across the top of the grill. The headlights join the grill to create one large faceplate on the car, which is still dominated by the huge three-pointed star badge.
The rear is also distinct, with the rear lights stretching all the way across in the back, mimicking the design at the front. This gives the car a slightly more modern feel. Generally though, it doesn’t feel as curvaceous as the other EQ models. It’s still very much a squared off SUV in shape, which might appeal to more traditional buyers. It’s certainly not an ugly car, it just doesn’t seem as modern as other EQs on the outside.
It does feel like a proper SUV though. It has those big slightly squared off wheel arches, which house the 18, 19 or 20 inch alloy wheels (depending on spec), and proper roof bars so you can mount roof racks or a storage box. It definitely looks better on the larger 20-inch AMG alloys though.
Inside, the car looks a lot like the EQA. The dash and trim are finished in Artico artificial leather. The microfibre black with red stitching gives it a sporty feel and the seats offer plenty of support, should you throw it around a bit.
With the third row of seats folded flat in the rear you get a decent amount of luggage space (around 495 litres), you can also slide the rear seats right back to get extra leg room. Once you pop up the third row of seats though, the luggage space is severely reduced, leaving you with around 340 litres. Those third row rear seats are also only designed for little ones – Mercedes suggests a height limit of 5’6 for passengers using them.
The EQB's Tech
In terms of tech, you get the same dual 10-inch screens as the EQA here too. Placed side by side, they create a continuous display from behind the wheel to the centre console. It’s a simpler display than you get on the higher end Mercedes models but it still runs the latest MBUX system which is simple to use and visually superior to many OEM offerings.
The head-up display only comes with the Premium Plus editions, so I wasn’t able to try it out here. I do find that head-up displays are something that, once you get used to using, they are difficult to live without, so I’d be tempted to upgrade here. The same is true for the parking cameras. The Premium and Premium Plus models feature the superior 360 degree camera system to provide a birds eye view of the car when parking, while the Executive models rely on a standard reversing camera.
If you want further reasons to opt for the top of the range model, you only need to look at the audio system. The Premium Plus gets the rather wonderful Burmester surround sound system, with 12 speakers and 590 watts of power.
For those that do regular long journeys, the assistance package is worth the extra spend. Active distance assist (adaptive cruise control) and active steering assist give you Level 2 autonomous driving (with hands on the wheel and eyes on the road) that reduces the strain for long stretches of motorway or sat in traffic.
What's it like to drive?
Battery size varies depending on the model here too. The EQB 250+ surprisingly gets the larger 70.5kWh battery, which can deliver up to 321 miles of range. The EQB 300 4MATIC, which uses dual motors for all-wheel drive, has a smaller 66.5kWh battery and tops out at 255 miles of range.
For charging, both batteries will do 11kW AC home charging and up to 100kW DC fast charging – which means around 32 mins from 10-80%. All fairly standard for a car at this price and certainly manageable. However, I would always recommend getting a home charger to anyone considering a fully electric (or even PHEV) car.
The downside of the longer range EQB 250+ is that although it will go the distance, it’s not that rapid. With 190hp, it takes 8.9 seconds from 0-62mph and has a top speed of 99mph. While you might not notice around town, on the open road it does feel a little underpowered. The EQB 300 4MATIC is a little quicker, with 228hp and an 8-second 0-62mph, but it’s still not going to get your heart racing. There is a faster EQB 350 4MATIC but that isn’t available in the UK.
It might not be fast but the EQB is still very pleasant to drive. The ride is comfortable and sticks to the road well. It means you do get a little roll but it’s worth it for the softer feel – certainly on these smaller wheels. As the car isn’t too big, it’s easy to drive around town, and fit in parking spaces. It’s a manageable size of SUV, with the benefit of space for seven.
The regeneration braking is on the steering wheel paddles, and with maximum regen set you can almost drive the EQB with one-pedal. It’s a nice touch that also helps to reduce the stress of city driving.
Should I buy the Mercedes-Benz EQB?
There’s a niche that the Mercedes-Benz EQB answers and it’s one it answers well. As a seven-seater it provides plenty of room for the whole family, and their friends. When there’s less of you on board, there’s decent boot space and an interior that is undoubtedly premium.
The range on the EQB 250+ model is impressive, and though you might not hit that full 321 miles, getting close to 300 miles from an SUV is certainly handy for those longer trips.
With the right spec choices – namely the Premium Plus package and assist package – there’s some great tech on board the EQB, and some excellent sound from those Burmester speakers. If none of that really bothers you, you can keep things simple with the basic spec, but I feel you’d be missing out.
While the sportback, cross over style SUVs look a bit more modern, there’s something reassuring about a classic SUV shape. In that respect, the EQB is the electric vehicle for those that just want something practical, with a few creature comforts.
