mReview: Mercedes-Benz EQB250+ Electric Art – The Easy Life
Mercedes-Benz’s smaller 7-seater SUV has received a facelift for the 2024 model year, refining an already refined product.
The EQB is Mercedes’ entry-level electric family SUV with space for seven and very little for the folks to complain about. With a clean yet stylish exterior design, it still looks like a proper SUV with some Mercedes-EQ-only accents like the smooth “grille” and the front and rear LED light bars. The overall shape is also much less ovular than other EQ models which, in my eyes, is a plus.
There’s no sloping roofline here either, it remains tall the whole way through which means more headroom for those in the second and third rows. Third-row seating is standard, although adults might find it a little squeezy, children and short friends will find the space very adequate indeed. There are also seven USB Type-C ports located throughout the car so everyone can keep their devices charged on long drives.
ISOFIX points all round in case you need to be a school bus.
With the third row up, boot space is decent at 465 litres but start folding the second and third rows of seats and you can get up to 1,710 litres of space, plenty for big dogs, bicycles, and flat-pack furniture.
The driver and front passenger get treated to a simple but classy interior. There are physical switches for commonly used functions, and the latest version of MBUX (Mercedes’ infotainment system) is accessible through the two 10.25-inch displays.
Suppose you opt for the Electric Art trim level like our test car came in. In that case, you also get dual-zone climate control, ARTICO/Cupertino leather upholstery, wireless charging for your smartphone, an upgraded sound system, and the air vents in rose gold as standard!
Driving the EQB is as easy as you’d expect from the three-pointed star. Power is, shall we say, sufficient enough for daily driving, it’s definitely no bahn-stormer but 188hp (140kW) is more than enough for SLE-strolling. Match that with the 385Nm of torque from the single electric motor and you have enough electric oomph to be zippy around town, even with a full load.
Split folding seats mean flexibility and versatility in how you use your EQB.
The EQB may be long enough to fit seven but its short overhangs and tight turning circle make it really easy to place on the road and not worry about dinging any of the 19-inch rims. The ride is also quiet and comfortable for the most part, though I found the seats (which are electric and have memory function by the way) themselves to be a little harder than I’d like.
Interestingly, the adaptive cruise control and accompanying driver safety and assistance systems in this car, like in the new E-Class we tested, are a $9,000 DLC even though the buttons to use them are already on the steering wheel. Good thing the car is easy to drive yourself then.
The Electric Art trim level comes with these 19-inch, five-spoke rims as standard.
During my testing, I actually managed to do better than Mercedes’ claimed consumption figure. I averaged 16.2kWh/100km compared to their official estimate of 18.4kWh/100km. With the EQB’s 70.5kWh battery, this equates to a total range of 435km. Charging is easy and on par with most of the competition speed-wise at 100kW max for DC charging and 11kW for AC charging.
The EQB is the complete package, blending tech, comfort, looks, and driving dynamics into one cohesive product. It presents itself admirably as an upmarket electric family SUV, allowing the whole gang to get in on all the action that Mercedes-Benz has to offer.
| Mercedes-Benz EQB250+ Electric Art 70.5kWh | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price (at time of publishing): $310,888 including COE | VES Band: A1 | |
Motor: Single electric motor |
Charging Rate: 100 kW DC, 11 kW AC |
Power & Torque: 140 kW (188 bhp) & 385 Nm |
Transmission: Single-speed |
Driven Wheels: Front |
Consumption: 18.4 kWh/100km |
0-100 km/h: 8.9 seconds |
Top Speed: 160 km/h |
Battery Capacity: 70.5 kWh |
|
Dimensions (L x W x H):
4,684 mm x 1,834 mm
x 1,654 mm |
Wheelbase: 2,829 mm
|
Cargo Capacity: 465 – 1,710 litres |
Read More: mReview: Mercedes-Benz EQE300 SUV – Easy Luxury, Uneasy Artistry
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