After the EQC, EQA, EQV and EQS, Mercedes added the EQB to the expanding electric price list this week. The car is considerably more expensive than its smaller brother, the EQA, but there is also something in return.
Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 4Matic Luxury Line – €64,031
Where an EQA is ‘already’ yours for less than 50 grand, the EQB must still cost at least €64,031. That seems a bit of a difference for a car that you could see as a more spacious variant on the same theme, although that does not quite cover the charge. The EQA and EQB do of course share the same basis, just like their petrol brothers GLA and GLB. In contrast to those fuel cars, the front is also largely the same, with the same combination of a closed ‘grille’ and the fused headlights. The EQB does have a different front bumper, but the difference is small.
However, behind that fake grille is the first big difference. Where the EQA is available as a relatively modest 250, with front-wheel drive and 190 hp, the EQB is still at least a 300 4Matic. That means four-wheel drive and 228 horsepower. The battery pack is the same, with just under 67 kWh. In the EQB, this results in a WLTP range of at least 395 km, of course slightly less than in the EQA.
Mercedes-Benz EQB
The other big difference is of course the space offer. The EQB has a longer and squarer body and is also available as a seven-seater, which is quite unique in this EV segment. Unfortunately, that kite does not apply to the basic version presented here, because the third row of seats is an option with a somewhat remarkable price of €1,004.
The car in question is shrouded in the far from cheerful ‘night black’, because that is the only free shade. This basic EQB does not look shabby either. Mercedes grants it standard roof rails, 18-inch light metal and of course the car also gets LED lighting all around. The interior is also quite complete. The seats are covered with what Mercedes calls tactical ‘leather look’, of course in black. Beige is also possible and costs only €121 extra, after which, in addition to the seats, a large part of the door panels and the dashboard are brightened up. The trim parts are not made of piano lacquer or aluminum, but as standard of ‘black open-pore lime wood’. Pretty nice!
Mercedes-Benz EQB
Also quite nice is the screen combination on the dashboard, linked to the MBUX infotainment system. It should be noted that navigation is missing. Then via Android Auto? Not until a $363 Smartphone integration option is tapped. That’s a bit skimpy. Climate control is present, but with only one zone. The car also does without heated seats. Cruise control is also there, but again not of the adaptive kind. Is it completely saved then? Not that. We note under ‘present’, among other things, a reversing camera, mood lighting and an electric tailgate. Nevertheless, the ‘Premium package’ is an absolute no-brainer in our opinion. For €1,204 this option offers keyless go (and ‘entry’), a better audio system, two-zone climate control, heated seats and a wireless phone charger. Always do!
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl