Professionals: Non-compulsory third row accessible; Laidback, comfy driving demeanor with responsive dealing with
Cons: Small third-row compromises cargo area; simply OK electrical driving vary; no efficiency variant
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB is an all-electric, compact luxurious SUV that gives a fantastic stability between drivability and inside spaciousness at an entry-level value level for the section. And it’s not only a cool three-point-star badge that you just get for Mercedes cash within the EQB. You additionally get a cushty cabin, slick however user-friendly know-how and a peaceful, quiet experience taking place the highway. It’s principally an electrical GLB-Class, swapping out that automotive’s middling powertrains for refined, however fast and interesting, electrical propulsion.
Apart from the fashionable and approachable design, snazzy know-how and EV effectivity, the EQB’s largest celebration trick might be its non-compulsory third row, permitting for seating for seven occupants. It’s small, and doubtless solely helpful in uncommon events and on your smallest occupants, nevertheless it’s accessible for purchasers who demand the additional seats.
Inside & Know-how | Passenger & Cargo House | Efficiency & Gas Financial system
What it is prefer to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Rankings & Security Options
What’s new for 2023?
The Mercedes-Benz EQB was a totally new mannequin for 2022, and is predicted to hold over unchanged for 2023, aside from the addition of a single-motor EQB 250+ to the lineup.
What are the EQB inside and in-car know-how like?
The inside of the EQB is opulent with out being ostentatious, at the least for essentially the most half — these quite a few LED ambient lights actually make it really feel like the within of a nightclub at night time. In any other case, it’s an easy, comfy inside with supplies that vary from sensible and cozy — actual or MB-Tex fake leather-based and high-quality plastics — to barely extra opulent with touches like microfiber-trimmed upholstery and backlit or pure grain wooden trim.
A twin digital show for the instrumentation and infotainment is customary, together with the Mercedes MBUX voice assistant, however issues like a head-up show and augmented video for navigation will be optioned. You’ll be able to navigate the infotainment by way of touchscreen, or by utilizing a touchpad on the middle console. Whereas the usual Apple CarPlay and Android Auto might be many purchasers’ go-to, the onboard infotainment and navigation is nice, and might even present you essentially the most environment friendly route to avoid wasting your battery cost in your solution to your vacation spot. We don’t like a number of the steering wheel controls, just like the contact delicate thumb-buttons that make it too straightforward to by chance change the radio station when making a hand-over-hand flip.
How massive is the EQB?
The Mercedes EQB is similar dimension because the GLB compact crossover upon which it’s based mostly. Regardless of being compact on the skin, the EQB’s surprisingly roomy inside is likely one of the GLB’s strongest property. The EQB can comfortably carry 4 adults and their gear in its five-seater configuration, even when the rear passengers are on the taller aspect. An non-compulsory third row presents a tradeoff, permitting you to hold two small passengers whereas decreasing the trunk’s usable quantity from a roomy 27 cubic ft right down to 22. In contrast to some EVs, the EQB does not supply a “frunk” for additional cupboard space below the hood.
However its compact footprint makes it really feel carlike taking place the highway, with out feeling diminutive in comparison with each different crossover lumbering round you. A comparatively excessive stance, seating place and massive home windows make for excellent visibility, and the wheelbase is lengthy sufficient to make it really feel calm and steady when cruising at freeway speeds. Even higher, once you get to a cramped car parking zone, you possibly can nonetheless park the factor hassle-free.
What are the EQB’s gas economic system and efficiency specs?
The EQB has two powertrain choices that carry over from 2022, each all-electric and each offering all-wheel drive courtesy of a pair of electrical motors. The bottom powertrain comes within the EQB 300, which provides 225 horsepower and 288 pound-feet of torque. That’s ok for a decent run to 60 in 7.0 seconds. Its 70.7-kilowatt-hour battery pack is rated to go 243 miles on a single cost.
For just a little extra urgency from the accelerator, the EQB 350 gives a complete of 288 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. That’ll hustle the automobile to 60 mph in a flat 6 seconds. You sacrifice some vary for that additional energy, although, offering 227 miles of driving on a cost from that very same battery pack.
Each variations of the EQB characteristic 400-volt electrical structure, permitting them to cost at a peak 100 kW, replenishing the battery from 10% to 80% in 32 minutes at a DC quick charger. On a 240-volt Degree 2 charger, they’ll go from 10% to 100% cost in your storage in 7 hours, 45 minutes.
Mercedes will launch a less-powerful, single-motor EQB 250+ for the 2023 mannequin yr. Mercedes says it should supply 188 horsepower and an anticipated driving vary of 250 miles. Different particulars have not been introduced as of this writing.
In contrast to the GLB, or the opposite Mercedes EQ automobiles, there’s no high-performance AMG model of the EQB accessible, sadly.
What is the EQB prefer to drive?
Comparatively small, the GLB upon which the EQB relies lends itself effectively to electrification. Like nearly all battery-powered automobiles, the EQB is zippy off the road and delivers clean, linear acceleration in close to silence. Regardless of not having the thrum and drone of a gasoline engine to cowl up squeaks and rattles, the EQB’s calm experience and fine-tuned suspension makes cruising a clean, quiet expertise even on tough roads.
The EQB’s battery pack lends it a low heart of gravity, which makes it deal with extra just like the GLK we used to know and love than the larger, artificially softer SUVs within the Mercedes lineup. It’s typically laid-back to drive, however put it in Sport mode (Consolation is the default) and discover a curvy highway, and it’ll reply properly. There may be additionally an Eco mode to avoid wasting vary, and an Particular person mode to combine and match from the others. Paddles on the again of the steering wheel can improve or lower regenerative braking, however the Auto mode behaves intelligently, preserving you from coasting too quick down a hill or too shut behind one other automotive. The EQB doesn’t give off a humorous feeling from the brake pedal when the automated regen is working, both, like the opposite EQ fashions do.
What different Mercedes-Benz EQB critiques can I learn?
Mercedes-Benz EQB First Drive Evaluate: Subsequent electrical Benz is just a little completely different
That is our first drive of the EQB, whereby we discover it advantages from being principally an all-electric model of the Mercedes GLB, sustaining its good qualities whereas enhancing by way of its favorable EV powertrain.
What’s the 2023 EQB’s value?
Whereas Mercedes hasn’t finalized 2023 costs as of this writing, the 2022 EQB 300 begins at $55,550 for the bottom Premium trim, together with a $1,050 vacation spot charge, whereas the EQB 350 begins at $59,100. Normal options embody energy entrance seats with reminiscence, twin digital show, navigation with range-saving intelligence, 64-color ambient lighting, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and adaptive excessive beams. Extra options can be found as you progress up into the Unique and Pinnacle trims. Whereas particulars have not been totally revealed, Mercedes will supply a brand new entry EQB with the 250+, beginning at $53,450. You’ll be able to study extra about EQB 300 and EQB 350 options and pricing right here on Autoblog.
EQB 300
- Premium: $55,550
- Unique: $56,800
- Pinnacle: $59,350
EQB 350
- Premium: $59,100
- Unique: $60,350
- Pinnacle:$61,400
What are the EQB’s security rankings and driver help options?
Normal security and driver help options embody computerized emergency braking, consideration monitoring, adaptive excessive beam help, blind spot warning with exit help, and crosswind help. Additionally accessible are options like adaptive cruise management, pace restrict help, lane centering steering help, lane change help, evasive steering help and a surround-view parking digital camera.
As of this writing, the EQB has but to be crash examined or rated by third events just like the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS).
Associated video: