Mercedes-Benz EQB Review 2024

Based on the Mercedes GLB, the EQB is essentially the electric version of the brand's compact SUV. Yet while Mercedes also offers the EQA and EQC, we think the EQB makes the most sense of all. The fact it has seven seats means it stands alone in the market - aside that is from the Tesla Model X, but prices for that start at more than £100k which makes the EQB look affordable in comparison.

Of course there is the issue of price - and we can't ignore it. While electric cars may be the future, they are still very expensive. The Mercedes GLB starts from £37,000, but you'll need at least £52,000 for the electric Mercedes EQB. True, the EQB comes very well equipped with all the toys you'd want, but that's still a big step up in price. 

There are two versions, the EQB 300 and EQB 350, both using the same 66.5kWh battery with four-wheel drive and a 250-mile range. An Audi Q4 e-tron can travel further on a charge but a longer range Mercedes EQB is due later in 2022 along with a cheaper front-wheel-drive version.

The Mercedes EQB 350 is the quicker model as you'd expect, but both models feel more than rapid enough, with the usual effortless performance you get from an electric motor. For a boxy SUV, it's surprisingly good in corners, with plenty of grip and nicely weighted steering.

But its real strength is as a comfortable and practical family car. The interior quality is excellent but it's the fact the EQB comes with seven seats as standard that makes it stand out. True they're not the most spacious of seats, we'd describe them as good for 'occasional use' and even Mercedes says they're only designed for people up to 5ft4 in height - but they at least give you the option and are ideal for kids.

Up front, you get Mercedes' now trademark dash wide screen with two displays along with the excellent Mercedes MBUX infotainment system. There's lots there and at first it can be a bit overwhelming but once you're familiar with it, you'll find it easy to use. Elsewhere, the overall fit and finish inside the EQB is top notch.

And what of running costs? Well you won't have anymore visits to filling stations. You'll want a wallbox installed at home and a full charge will take around six hours and cost approximately £11. Not bad for 250 miles of driving...

We reckon the EQB is the best electric SUV in Mercedes range and its seven seats give it appeal that neither Audi, BMW, Volvo or Jaguar can match. 

Not that we advise throwing the EQB into corners, but if you do, you'll find there's lots of front end grip, even in the wet, so it gives you plenty of reassurance and confidence in its ability. Indeed, this is a far better handling SUV than you might expect given its boxy appearance.

Like the vast majority of electric cars, it's fitted with single-speed gearbox which means smooth and effortless acceleration, while the fact the EQB is four-wheel drive means you won't be struggling for grip when pulling out of a side road on a wet day.

There's a good weight to the steering, not a common occurrence in any modern SUV let alone an electric one. It still feels slightly artificial but it's responsive and makes the EQB more enjoyable to drive than a Volkswagen ID.4, for example.

From launch there were initially only two EQB models. The EQB 300 and EQB 350 - both use a 66.5kWh lithium-ion high energy density battery which gives them an official range of 250 miles.

In the EQB 300, the electric motor delivers 228PS and 370Nm of torque which translates to a 0-62mph time of 7.7 seconds. However, what most drivers will find useless is the strong pulling power from 30mph which is handy for joining fast flowing traffic.

The EQB 350 has more power with 292PS but with the same torque figure. It's faster, managing 0-62mph in just 6.0 seconds, but in our opinion the EQB 300 is more than quick enough for everyday driving and both are limited to a top speed of 99mph..

Both models cover 250 miles on a single charge according to official WLTP figures anyway. If it's a cold day and you have the heated seats and air con on full blast, that range will soon deplete.

There are paddles on the steering wheel but not for changing gear. Instead these control the regenerative braking. Use the D- setting and the EQB will slow down when you come off the accelerator. It not only recovers energy but is handy around town - with some practice you can become deft at driving without having to touch the brake pedal at all.

Alternatively there's the adaptive mode which works with the nav and radar to automatically change the settings, braking more when you approach a junction or are slowing down behind another car. Clever stuff and genuinely useful.

The Mercedes EQB is yet to be crash tested by Euro NCAP but given that the GLB on which it's based was awarded the maximum five start safety rating, we can confidently expect the EQB to be equally as safe. 

The Mercedes GLB was given a 92% rating for adult occupant safety and 88% for child occupant safety. Four child seats can be fitted in rows two and three, plus usefully, one more in the front passenger seat.

While electric cars - even SUVs - haven't traditionally been seen as ideal tow cars, both EQB models actually have a maximum towing capacity of to 1800kg with a braked trailer and 750kg unbraked. 

It may not be the biggest electric SUV around, but the EQB majors on practicality. With seven seats as standard, it has no rivals bar the Tesla Model X and has real appeal for family buyers.

If you have three children, those extra seats in the back will be a godsend and it feels much safer having them in a proper seat as oppose to stuck in the middle. Yes the extra two seats are only for occasional use - Mercedes says the rear row is designed for anyone up to 1.65m which is 5ft4 - but that means they are ideal for younger children.

Those seats are very safe too with retractable head restraints, seat belts with belt tensioners and force limiters on all outer seats plus a side window airbag that covers passengers in the third row. There are of course Isofix points too.

If they're not being used, you can fold them down into the floor to give you a usefully large 465-litre boot - enough space for a posh pushchair. 

If you need more space, the middle row of seats can slide forward (or back if you want extra legroom) and the backrests adjust too. Just be aware that if you have all seven seats up, the boot is pretty much non existent.

Mercedes has not been without quality issues in recent history, but its latest cars are back to the standards people expect of the brand. The EQB feels like a high quality and premium car both outside and in.

From the quality stitching on the seat upholstery to the leather on the doors and the plastics used, this feels every inch a luxury car. The metal trim is lovely and solid while all the buttons work with a reassuring click. It's easily a match for rivals such as the BMW iX3 and Audi Q4 e-tron.

Sit inside the Mercedes EQB and you can't fail to notice the huge screen which spans the width of the dash. It has become a trademark on Mercedes models and gives the EQB and modern and high tech appearance.

It's powered by the Mercedes MBUX system which is one of the best infotainment systems around. The touchscreen is bright and responsive to touch, so it's simple to operate.

True there are lots of menus and settings but once you're accustomed to it, it's easy to navigate your way around and as with most tech, you'll end up only using a few functions (we doubt you'll be changing the colour of the interior lighting every day for instance.)

It also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity although we're surprised it still has to be connected through a USB cable rather than working via Bluetooth - something most Audi models now have.

The screen itself is a touchscreen that's responsive and easy to use but there's also a touchpad on the console between the front seats which we found easier to use on the move for most things.

Pick up the Mercedes EQB brochure and you may find your eyebrows getting higher when you see that the cheapest version is £52,145 for the EQB 300 AMG Line. Opt for the EQB 350 AMG Line Premium and that goes up to £56,645. 

With high demand and manufacturers struggling to keep up supplies, you'll struggle to get any sort of discount or find a pre-registered example. Also expect a lengthy wait for your car to be built.

You'll need a wallbox fitted to charge your EQB. While it back be done from a standard three-pin socket, it takes 30 hours. From an AC wallbox it's 5 hours and 45 minutes to charge it to 100 per cent. If you can find a DC rapid charger near you, Mercedes says you can charge it from 0 to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes. 

The cost of charging at home depends on your energy provider and tariff. But at the average UK rate of 17.2p/kWh, you're looking at around £11.50 to charge it completely from flat.

Usefully, when you buy an EQB you get a three year subscription to Mercedes me Charge. This means access to a network of public charging providers including the UK’s largest public charging network. You have one account, one monthly invoice and can access a wide network of chargers and start charging through the MBUX system in the car or simply tapping your RFID card. 

There is also a six month BP pulse + subscription which gives you free/lower cost electricity at BP pulse charging stations. Plus a one year IONITY membership which significantly reduces the cost of charging (27p/kW reduced from 69p/kW). 

Mercedes EQB AMG Line models have 18-inch five spoke AMG alloy wheels, front and rear LED light band, privacy glass, electrically folding mirrors and automatically-dimming exterior driver’s mirror, parking package with reversing camera, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Speed Limit Assist and the MBUX multimedia system with two 10-inch displays creating the widescreen cockpit along with Smartphone integration including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

It also gets heated front sports seats as well as ARTICO man-made leather/DINAMICA microfibre upholstery in black with red stitching and a multifunction sports steering wheel in nappa leather with galvanised shift paddles and flattened bottom section.

EQB AMG Premium Line versions add an electrically operated panoramic glass sunroof, 19-inch AMG alloy wheels, the KEYLESS-GO Comfort package along with an Advanced Sound System with 10 speakers and wireless charging for mobile phones.