Mercedes-Benz EQB

Mercedes-Benz continues the conversion of its range of standard cars to the EQ lineup. The most recent addition is the family-friendly EQB, which even has the option to seat seven. By John Challen

There’s no shortage of Mercedes-Benz models. Like its German premium manufacturer stablemates, the recent past has seen a plethora of models – niches within niches, in some cases – crop up onto the market. Now, with an EV-future looming, the challenge is on to cater to all of these different tastes, with a battery-powered portfolio.

A key area for Mercedes-Benz is, of course, the premium SUV market. So the arrival of the EQB is sure to attract a lot of attention and – hopes Mercedes – customers. It’s a legitimate seven-seater – with the caveat that the rearmost passengers must be under 1.65m tall. That might not work for every family, but the fact that there is the potential for an additional two occupants will lead to a lot of drivers looking Mercedes’ way.

The layout is possible due to the adoption of the 2,829mm wheelbase from the ICE-powered GLB. The total length of the car is 4.68m, which means there is ample room inside, including a load volume with seats folded of up to 1,710 litres, depending on configuration.

Two variants of the car are available – the EQB 300 4MATIC with 225hp and the EQB 350 4MATIC, with 288hp. Mercedes said further models are likely, including a front-wheel drive option and the addition of a longer-range EQB (although the exact range isn’t specified).

Inside, there is a well-specced and familiar-looking cabin – Mercedes is going with a relatively conservative approach to the appearance of its electric models. That means the main controls are where you would expect them to be – indicator stalk for gear selection, for example – which is no bad thing.

The standard navigation comes with ‘Electric Intelligence’, which calculates the fastest route to a given destination, taking into account maximum charging power and detailing charging times for possible stops. That information is displayed on a 12.3-inch driver display, which sits in front of the driver, alongside an 11.9-inch central display. Our test car was the Edition 1 model, which includes the parking package – with reversing camera – and the Driving Assistance Package Plus. In this spec, there’s also augmented reality for navigation and head-up display, as well as smartphone connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The information displayed on both screens can be controlled by dash-mounted buttons, which means that pretty much anything that needs to be done can be without taking your hands off the wheel.

It takes a bit of getting used to, especially remembering which buttons control which screen, but it’s a very effective way to ensure you have all the information you need right in front of you.

For fans of voice control functionality, there’s also the option of the “Hey Mercedes” function, which enables users to carry out a wide range of commands. A word of warning, though – the system can trigger automatically if it thinks it hears “Hey Mercedes”, which can lead to a bit of confusion for it and the driver!

On the road, the EQB is smooth, quiet, powerful (a maximum of 520Nm of torque is available on the EQB 350; the EQB 300 offers 390Nm) and rides and handles well, partly thanks to the long wheelbase and also the impressive dynamics set-up (with optional technology such as Active Damping Control), which manages to keep the 2,175kg car nicely composed through corners. The zero to 62mph time of 6.2 seconds might not be required when heading out on a family outing, seven-up, but it does show the impressive performance of the car.

Which model is right for you?

There are currently two EQB models – the 300 and 350, with power outputs of 225hp and 288hp. The SUV is available in the wide selection of Mercedes-Benz lines – Sport, AMG Line, AMG Line Premium Package and AMG Line Premium. Furthermore, a range of options packages are available around safety, infotainment and driver assistance.

We sampled an EQB 350 4MATIC in digital white metallic and with Neva grey leather with blue stitching. Our test car was the Edition 1 model and came equipped with driver assistance and parking packages (including reversing camera), augmented reality navigation with head-up display and smartphone connectivity.