Mercedes-Benz EQB Review & Prices

The Mercedes EQB is one of the few all-electric seven seaters on the market today. Based on the GLB, it’s a bit like a Victorian detached house which has been modernised with solar panels. It retains the charming style, but it’s a bit greener and cheaper to run. 

Those shopping for an all-electric seven-seater aren’t exactly spoilt for choice. Besides the EQB, you may also be looking at the more expensive Kia EV9 or something more utilitarian like a Citroen e-Spacetourer. The forthcoming Peugeot E-5008 is the closest comparison though. If you don’t need the extra pair of seats, you could consider a BMW iX1 or an Audi Q4 e-tron. 

To help tell this electric car apart from the GLB the grille has been blanked off with shiny plastic trim and a sleek-looking LED light bar runs between the re-shaped headlights. Elsewhere it’s more of a conventional SUV when compared to its smaller sibling, the EQA, with slab sides and a more square rear end design.

Mercedes EQB: electric range, battery and charging data

Range: 242-321 miles
Efficiency: 3.2-3.9 miles per kWh
Battery size: 67kWh / 71kWh
Max charge speed: 100kW
Charge time AC: 6hrs 30mins, 0-100%, 11kW / 5hrs 45mins, 0-100%, 11kW
Charge time DC: 30mins, 10-100%, 100kW
Charge port location: Right rear
Power outputs: 188hp / 225hp / 288hp

Step inside and you’ll find a suitably classy cabin, with an interesting two-step dashboard and plenty of posh-feeling materials around the place. You get a couple of 10.0-inch screens sitting proudly atop of the dashboard, and some models get a head-up display - all of which are very clear and easy to read.

You won’t be wanting for more space inside either. That boxy shape affords great headroom, and legroom is pretty generous as well. The rearmost pair of seats are pretty tight, they’re only really suitable for children, but the middle row can slide forward to create an adequate amount of space for adults on shorter trips.

Being based on the petrol-powered GLB, a chunk of the EQB’s boot space has been taken up by the battery pack under the floor. As a result you get up to 495 litres of luggage space, down from 570 litres in the GLB. It may be slightly larger than the BMW iX1, but a Skoda Enyaq offers a lot more luggage space.

Speaking of batteries, there are a couple to choose from. There’s a 70kWh pack which comes paired to a 190hp electric motor on the front wheels, and it’s this car which yields the most range at 321 miles. There are also a couple of dual-motor cars, both with a 66kWh battery and 255 miles of range. Those figures are pretty good, but the Skoda Enyaq, Ford Mustang Mach-E and forthcoming Peugeot E-5008 will all go further on a charge.

From behind the wheel though, the EQB is arguably the most relaxing to drive out of all these alternatives. It’s manoeuvrable, the visibility is great over that square bonnet and the cabin is nicely hushed.

Out on a twisty road the EQB handles itself quite well. There might not be much in the way of fun to be had, but it feels pretty secure through the corners and there’s not too much body roll. The suspension is on the firm side though, something which can make the car feel a bit jittery over broken surfaces. It’s still a very comfortable way to travel, but a Volvo XC40 Recharge is slightly more relaxing.

One thing against the EQB is that it’s quite pricey. But if you want the best price, check out the latest Mercedes EQB deals on Carwow, or browse used EQB models from our network of trusted dealers. You can also take a look at other used Mercedes, and when it's time to sell your car, Carwow can help with that, too.

Being an electric seven-seater, there aren’t many direct alternatives to the Mercedes EQB if you need to make use of every seat. There is a seven-seat Peugeot E-5008 coming later this year which is likely to undercut the Mercedes, however pricing for that car isn’t confirmed just yet.

There’s also the Kia EV9 and the Volvo EX90, however both of these cars are considerably more expensive than the EQB. There are also a handful of vans with seats added to the cargo bay, however these don’t offer anything like the refinement or curb appeal of the Mercedes.

If we look at the five-seat options then there is far more in the way of choice. The Skoda Enyaq offers a much bigger boot than the EQB for less money, as does the Tesla Model Y. The BMW iX1 is also a great option, however it costs around the same as the Mercedes.

The Mercedes EQB isn't cheap, then, so if you don't need to make use of the extra seats there are big savings to be had by looking elsewhere. But if you really need an electric seven-seater, the EQB is less expensive than other premium options and much nicer than everything that costs less.

The EQB is great around town and it’s relaxing on the motorway, however it’s not the best to drive when the going gets twisty

In town

In town is where the EQB shines, because it manages to be super easy to navigate through tight gaps despite its size. With a turning circle of just 11.7 metres, almost as tight as some hatchbacks, you can pull a U-turn in busy streets with little fuss. The big mirrors and large glass area also make it easy to observe your surroundings.

Even the base model has a reversing camera as standard, and the AMG Line Premium comes with a 360-degree system to really take the stress out of tight car parks.

Acceleration isn’t as fierce as it can be in some electric cars, which makes it a relaxing car to waft about in. Being an EV, you also have regenerative braking which you can adjust from the steering wheel paddles. This means you rarely have to touch the brake pedal in town, although the system can’t bring you to a complete stop like it can in a Tesla Model Y.

The EQB is pretty comfortable at low speeds, although bigger potholes can send a thud through the cabin. Higher spec models get electronically adjustable suspension with a comfort setting which does make things a bit more subtle, but an Audi Q4 e-tron is slightly better over the bumps.

On the motorway

Long motorway drives aren’t much of a slog in the Mercedes EQB, because it does a great job of eating up the miles. Despite its blocky shape, there’s not much in the way of wind noise disturbing the peace in the cabin. Road noise is kept to a minimum as well.

That boxy design does come with one drawback though, because spending a lot of time on the motorway will dent the range somewhat thanks to the added effort it takes to push the car through the air. Mercedes has tried to mitigate this with some clever aerodynamic tweaks, however the sleeker Tesla Model Y will be better for regular long-distance driving.

While you do get cruise control as standard, you’ll have to pay around £1,500 if you want an adaptive system which will automatically keep you a safe distance from the car in front. It’s something that’s worth having if you do a lot of motorway driving, however it comes as standard on the Toyota bZ4x.

On a twisty road

There’s not much fun to be had behind the wheel of the Mercedes EQB on a twisty road. Even with the adaptive suspension in its sportiest setting, it’s not a car you’d want to thrash along a country lane. A BMW iX1 or Ford Mustang Mach-E are both more engaging.

You probably don’t want an electric family SUV for hooning around at the weekend, and the EQB is perfectly competent for daily use. It feels secure and planted, and there’s surprisingly little body roll for a car as tall as this.

The suspension doesn’t handle undulations and small bumps too well as it can make the car feel a bit unsettled. It’s by no means uncomfortable, but a Volvo XC40 Recharge is more composed.

There’s loads of space in the front two rows of the Mercedes EQB, however the rear-most seats are only really suitable for children

As an all-electric seven-seater, the Mercedes EQB is inherently spacious. This is especially true for those sitting in the front because there’s loads of adjustment in the seats. Legroom is more than plentiful, as is headroom, and the steering wheel is adjustable for reach and height. Finding your ideal driving position is a piece of cake.

The seats themselves are also really comfortable, offering a great combination of support and padding to make long drives less tiring. You get heated chairs as standard, with mid-spec models getting sports seats and range-topping cars benefitting from electric adjustment.

Storage up front is good as well, with a decent-sized glovebox and a large cubby under the centre armrest. You also have a couple of cupholders in the centre console, as well as some USB-C ports to keep your phone charged up. Mid-spec cars also have a wireless charging pad under a sliding cover to keep your phone out of the way. Add in the door bins which are large enough for a couple of bottles each and you’re not short of places to keep your bits and bobs.

Space in the back seats

Those in the second row can also enjoy a generous amount of space. There’s enough legroom for even the tallest of adults, headroom is good thanks to the tall roofline and there’s enough shoulder space to get three people across the bench. You can slide these seats forward for added boot space or more legroom in the third row, and they recline for on-the-go napping.

Fitting a child seat is no bother at all thanks to the wide-opening rear doors and easy-access ISOFIX anchors, although you’ll have to be careful not to lose the removable covers. A handy centre armrest features a couple of hidden cup holders, and those in the back can keep their devices charged up thanks to two USB-C charging points. Good-sized door bins also provide more storage for bottles.

The two rear-most seats are only really suitable for children, because there’s minimal legroom. If you slide the middle row forward then you can squeeze adults back there for a short trip, but longer journeys will be pretty uncomfortable. Still, at least the people back there have a couple of USB-C chargers as a consolation prize.

Boot space

The addition of batteries under the floor of the Mercedes EQB mean it doesn’t have quite as big a boot as the petrol-powered GLB on which it's based. You get 495 litres of space behind the second row of seats, whereas the GLB has up to 570 litres.

A Skoda Enyaq offers a much more generous 585 litres of luggage space, and a Hyundai Ioniq 5 touts 527 litres. If you have your heart set on a premium German brand, a BMW iX1 is five litres down on the EQB, and the Audi Q4 e-tron has an extra 25 litres over the Mercedes.

Once you put the third row up, you’re left with very little boot space. The bag of charging cables can be perched back there, along with a few shopping bags, but in reality you’ll have to choose between carrying seven people or carrying luggage.

In five-seat mode loading the boot full of stuff is easy thanks to the low load lip and square opening, and there’s a small amount of storage under the boot floor for a couple of loose items. You can’t get the load cover under there though, so it’ll either have to be left behind or stored in the car if you want to make full use of the space. With all the seats folded down you’re left with a completely flat floor, meaning you can easily slide flat pack furniture and other bulky items to the front.

The EQB’s cabin looks fantastic and it has one of the best infotainment systems in the business, however it’s not quite as well-built as a BMW or an Audi

The EQB’s cabin looks fantastic and it has one of the best infotainment systems in the business, however it’s not quite as well-built as a BMW or an Audi

As with any Mercedes, the EQB has a properly stylish cabin. The two-step dashboard and turbine-like air vents help this stand out against the likes of the Audi Q4 e-tron, and there’s plenty of leather and soft-touch plastic. While the build quality is very good, the Audi and BMW iX1 both feel slightly more solid.

All versions of the EQB get interior ambient lighting to further lift things, and there are 64 colours to choose from. The use of metallic details and contrast stitching is a nice touch as well.

The EQB’s infotainment system is one of the best in the business. All models get a pair of 10.0-inch screens on top of the dashboard, a touch screen for the entertainment and a digital driver’s display behind the steering wheel. Both screens are bright, clear and responsive, and it’s easy to zip through all the menus. You can control the central screen using voice commands as well. It does a pretty good job of recognising your commands, but BMW’s personal assistant is a bit better.

Unlike the latest BMW models, the EQB has physical buttons for the climate control making them much easier to use on the go. What’s not so easy to use is the touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel. They’re pretty small and fiddly to figure out on the go, and it’s too easy to accidentally brush them while you’re manoeuvring.

You use these steering wheel controls to operate the digital driver’s display. There are a few different layouts to choose from, and it’s easy to read at a glance, but Audi’s Virtual Cockpit system is more customisable.

All models get satellite navigation as standard, and it will show you where all the nearest charging stations are as well as showing you how far you can go on your remaining battery. It’s a pretty easy system to use, however you can pair your phone using the standard-fit wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to use Google Maps or Waze.

There are three motor and battery combinations to choose from in the EQB, kicking off with the 250+. It uses a 70kWh battery pack paired to a 190hp electric motor powering the front wheels. It’s brisk enough, and it’ll go the furthest on a charge with 321 miles of range.

You then have two dual-motor versions to choose from. Both use a 66kWh battery with up to 255 miles of range, but there are two power outputs. The EQB 300 has 228hp, while the EQB 350 has 292hp.

By comparison, the BMW iX1 has up to 322 miles of range from a slightly smaller battery, making it slightly more efficient and therefore a bit cheaper to run. An Audi Q4 e-tron will do up to 329 miles on a charge, but that car has a much bigger battery, and the Ford Mustang Mach-E trumps the Mercedes with 374 miles of range.

Charging the bigger battery in the 250+ will take almost 11 hours to go from 10-100% on a 7kW home wall box charger, dropping to just over seven hours if you have access to an 11kW charger. If you go for the smaller battery it’ll take 10 hours at 7kW or just under seven hours using an 11kW plug.

If you’re topping up on the go you can charge from 10-80% in just over half an hour using a 100kW DC fast charger. That’s not bad, but a Tesla Model Y can do the same charge in 27 minutes thanks to its 250kW charging capability.

Because the EQB is a zero-emission EV you don’t have to pay vehicle excise duty, although this will change from 2025, and it’s also excluded from the premium that adds extra cost for cars costing more than £40,000. The benefit-in-kind rate will be 2% until the 2025/26 financial year, when it goes up to 3%.

Tested by the independent safety board Euro NCAP, the Mercedes scored a full five-star rating. In the adult and child occupancy sections, the EQB scored well into the 90% bracket, which is excellent.

Vulnerable road user safety, i.e. pedestrians and cyclists, was at 78% – mainly because of the high bonnet line of the front end. Safety assists were marked at 74%, with the lane keep assist the feature seen as the most compromised. However, it’s more than good enough for most situations.

The EQB comes as standard with active brake assist, lane keeping assist, speed limit assist, multiple urban warning assists and cruise control. Adding the optional driving assistance includes the mirror package that folds the mirrors and adjusts them to reduce glare, as well as the adaptive cruise control system, though it’s a shame you have to pay extra for this as you’d expect to see it as standard on a premium car.

Fitted with the optional Guard 360 pack, it alerts you to any break-ins, thefts or changes in position, as well as letting you deactivate the car’s key. Hopefully you’ll never have to worry about that, but having the system available is helpful.

Mercedes has managed to be reasonably reliable across all its models in recent years, and there are no horror stories to suggest this will be any different for the EQB.

With any EQB, Mercedes has a three-year unlimited mileage warranty, while the battery gets an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty. But compared to alternatives from Kia, that’s pretty average. They come with the Kia-standard seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty, which is markedly better.