2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB Electric

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB is offered in three trim levels known as Premium, Exclusive, and Pinnacle. There are also three variants of the Mercedes-Benz EQB on offer with different power outputs. The base trim is known as EQB 250+. EQB 300 4MATIC, and EQB 350 4MATIC. The initial two variants come with a single-motor setup but different power output while the 350 4MATIC comes with a dual-motor setup. The base Premium trim of the EQB 4MATIC starts at an MSRP of $61,700 while the top Pinnacle trim costs $63,550 without any optional packages. The price difference is small among these trim levels which makes it an exciting choice. You can also choose from the multiple optional packages and standalone features. 

Packages

AMG Line with Night package

• 18-inch AMG wheels
• AMG body styling
• Black exterior accents
• Unique interior trim
• Sport-bolstered front seats with synthetic suede inserts
• Sport steering wheel

Technology package

• Head-up display
• Gesture control
• Augmented video for navigation
• Road sign assistance

Driver Assistance Lite package

• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane departure mitigation
• Lane-keeping system
• Evasive steering assistance
• Blind-spot intervention
• Lane change assistance

We recommend

We recommend going with the EQB 350 4MATIC variant of the Mercedes-Benz EQB as it offers the best performance that the SUV has on offer. The lower variants feel quite slow against the rivals. You can also go with the top-of-the-line Pinnacle trim as the trims are not overpriced for what they offer. You get the worth of the premium you pay over the base trim. You can also get the Driver Assistance Lite package and the Technology package.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB comes in three powertrain options. In the base configuration, it comes with a single electric motor setup that produces 188 horsepower which seems quite underpowered for the competition. The mid-variant EQB 300 4Matic comes with a higher power output of 225 horsepower. But the one that is worth considering is the Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4MATIC variant that comes with a dual-electric motor setup. It comes with 288 horsepower and a peak torque of 384 lb-ft. The acceleration is quite good from the top variant. The EQB 350 can go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds while the quarter-mile run takes 14.3 seconds. The acceleration figures are decent for the class but even the most powerful variant is not amongst the quickest in the class. The top speed is also pretty decent and it comes limited at 100 miles per hour. 

The Mercedes-Benz EQB is the slowest SUV in the competition. The EQB 350 is the most powerful variant of the EQB which takes 5.4 seconds to complete the 0 to 60 mph sprint. This is the slowest acceleration figure in the competition. The Jaguar I-Pace is the quickest car in the competition which takes 4.3 seconds to complete the 0 to 60 mph sprint. The Tesla Model Y Long Range is not far behind either and it also takes 4.3 seconds only to complete the 0 to 60 mph sprint. There is also a Performance model on offer for the Tesla Model Y which offers even better performance. The Audi e-Tron stood right behind the EQB taking 5.1 seconds to complete the 0 to 60 mph sprint. 

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB Ride and Handling

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB comes with a boxy shape similar to the GLB-Class SUV. And those who have driven the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class will be surprised to get behind the wheel of the electric EQB. It handles quite well for a boxy SUV and is certainly better than its gasoline counterpart in that regard. The stability feels quite good at high speeds. The steering wheel of the EQB is not the best in terms of feel and feedback. It feels quite light at slow speeds and gains decent weight as you get to higher speeds. 

The Mercedes-Benz EQB does not offer the most engaging drive in the competition. Instead, it focuses on a more comfortable driving experience that goes better with the Merc’s luxurious reputation. But it does not feel underconfident while driving at any point. It remains planted and you can comfortably carry high speeds in the Mercedes-Benz EQB. The ride quality is also on par with the Mercedes standards. It manages to stop the road undulations from entering the cabin quite well. 

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB Braking Performance

Mercedes-Benz EQB manages to perform quite well when you look at the performance figures of the car. But when you look at the braking performance of the EQB, it becomes worse. The brake pedals of the EQB lack the bite you expect while stopping a car and it feels quite unpredictable. However, it is not too bad and manages to stop the EQB quite well in emergency situations. Mercedes has not announced the size of the brake rotors for the EQB and the official stopping distance is also not available for the SUV. But you can expect a decent stopping distance for the EQB. The regenerative braking is also not too aggressive in the EQB and you can not drive the SUV using a single pedal. 

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB lacks in terms of braking feel but the same can not be said about the braking distance. The brakes are capable of stopping the EQB at an impressive 116 feet. When you compare it with the braking performance of the Audi e-Tron, it is far ahead. The Audi e-Tron takes 128 feet to stop from 60 mph which is quite a long distance for the segment. The Jaguar I-Pace also takes a longer braking distance but an official 60 to 0 stopping distance is not available for the same. The Tesla Model Y Long Range takes the least 112 feet of distance to come to a complete stop from 60 mph. 

The Mercedes-Benz EQB might not excel in terms of performance but it does a good job in terms of efficiency. The efficiency of the EQB differs based on the powertrain option you select. But all the powertrain options do well enough in terms of efficiency. Talking about the top variant which comes with the highest power output, it puts respectable figures on the board. The Mercedes-Benz EQB manages to return 98 MPGe in the city, 93 MPGe on the highway, and 96 MPGe in combined driving situations. The size of the battery is not huge but it is not too small either. The Mercedes-Benz EQB comes with a battery capacity of 66.5 kWh which does feel small compared to its rivals. It manages to deliver a maximum driving range of 227 miles based on the EPA estimates. 

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB comes with the smallest battery capacity in the competition. It manages to deliver a decent maximum driving range of 227 miles on a full tank due to its better efficiency. The Audi e-Tron comes with a significantly larger battery capacity but lacks efficiency. That affects the driving range of the SUV and it delivers the least driving range in the competition even with a bigger battery capacity. The Jaguar I-Pace comes with the largest battery capacity and delivers just a slightly better range than the EQB. The Tesla Model Y Long Range delivers the best efficiency and beats all the rivals by a significant margin in terms of driving range. 

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB has a similarity with the GLB-Class in the interior of the SUV too. Those who have seen the EQS will notice the difference in the quality of the cabin instantly which is expected considering the price gap and the size of the vehicle. The cabin feels luxurious and the materials used inside the cabin are of good quality. But it is obviously not the most luxurious cabin in the class. The overall interior layout feels a bit compromised. But there is no compromise in terms of practicality. Both the front and rear rows are quite spacious with enough space to seat comfortably. The third row is also decently spacious for kids but the fact that you get a third row in a car of this size is itself a great thing. There are multiple storage compartments in the cabin including the door bins for better storage. With the third row down, the cargo area is also very spacious for the class. 

The Mercedes-Benz EQB comes with quite a spacious cabin for the front and rear rows. It is the only car in the competition that offers you an optional third row. But that will affect the cargo area and the third row is only good for kids only. The Jaguar I-Pace offers the least amount of legroom for the rear seat passengers. It also offers the least cargo area if you keep the third row of the Merc down. The Audi e-Tron also comes with a decently large cabin and the cargo area is also quite spacious. The Tesla Model Y Long Range offers the largest cargo area in the competition. 

Standout interior features:

• 8-way power-adjustable front seats
• 40-20-40 split-folding rear seats
• Manual tilt/telescopic steering wheel
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Cruise control
• Remote keyless entry

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB Infotainment System

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB does not come with a massive infotainment screen for all the controls like some of the electric car rivals. Instead, it tries to keep things simple and sophisticated in the cabin. That does not mean you get a small infotainment screen either. The Mercedes-Benz EQB comes with a decently large 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system standard across all trims of the car. The infotainment system runs on Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment interface. It is quite easy to use and you do not have to invest a lot of time learning about all the controls. The infotainment system also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. You can control the system using the touchscreen, voice command, and the steering wheel controls. The Pinnacle trim offers an impressive 12-speaker Burmester sound system.

Standout infotainment system:

• 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display
• Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) interface
• Bluetooth connectivity
• In-built navigation system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 12-speaker Burmester sound system

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB looks quite similar to the car it is based on that is the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class. There are only a few differences that you will notice in the exterior design of both these SUVs. The first thing you notice is the plastic panel instead of the traditional grille on the GLB-Class as electric cars do not really need a grille like gasoline-powered vehicles. The second difference is in the design of the wheels at the side of the car. The design of the headlights and taillights are also different in the EQB compared to the standard GLB-Class. Other than that, it also carries a boxy shape that enhances the practicality of the car. The similar design also means that it works perfectly fine for those who want the same level of sophistication as the gasoline-powered car but in an electric avatar. 

The 2023 Audi e-Tron is the longest SUV in the competition with a significant margin and that also shows in its wheelbase as it gets the second longest wheelbase too. The Jaguar I-Pace which is significantly shorter than the Audi comes with the longest wheelbase in the competition. The Audi e-Tron is also the heaviest SUV in the competition. The Tesla Model Y Long Range is longer than the Jag but gets a shorter wheelbase and is also narrower of the two. The Mercedes-Benz EQB comes out as the most compact SUV in the competition in length, width, and wheelbase. 

Standout exterior features:

• 19-inch wheels 
• LED headlights with LED daytime running lights
• Panoramic sunroof
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Black grille
• Lip spoiler
• Power Liftgate

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB is not tested by the agencies for its safety ratings as of now. But the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class which is the same car on which the EQB is based, managed to score an impressive safety rating in the crash test by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA gave the GLB-Class an impressive rating of 5 out of 5 stars in their crash test rating. Since the platform is the same for both SUVs, you can expect the same safety standards for the EQB. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not tested either of the SUVs for their crash-test ratings. The Mercedes-Benz EQB comes with all the basic safety features as standard. But for more advanced driver assistance technologies, you have to pay extra to get the driver assistance package. 

Safety features include:

• Traction control 
• Electronic stability control
• Blind-spot assist
• Active brake assist
• Lane-keeping assist
• Adaptive cruise control (Optional)

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB vs. 2023 Audi e-Tron

The Mercedes-Benz EQB comes with a boxy design and offers a spacious cabin. The space is not a problem in the cabin of the e-Tron either. The Audi e-Tron also comes with a more comfortable cabin and the standard creature comforts are also better than the Merc. There is not a significant difference between the two SUVs in terms of performance and driving range. Both are quite slow compared to the rivals and the driving range on offer is also not too impressive. The Mercedes-Benz EQB gets an advantage when you compare it to the e-Tron. The choice between the two boils down to the badge you prefer and if the offerings of Audi justify the slightly premium price tag.

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB vs. 2023 Tesla Model Y Long Range

The Tesla Model Y Long Range comes with many advantages over the EQB including its price. The Tesla Model Y Long Range comes with significantly better performance compared to the Mercedes-Benz EQB. But the biggest of all is the significantly better driving range that the Model Y offers over the EBQ. You also get access to the extensive fast-charging network of Tesla with the Model Y. But the Mercedes-Benz EBQ comes with a more sophisticated cabin layout but it depends on your preference which cabin appeals better to you. But the Merc comes out as a clear winner when it comes to comfort. You can prefer the one that better fits your requirements. 

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB vs. 2023 Jaguar I-Pace

The Jaguar I-Pace has been in the market for a long time and the Mercedes-Benz EBQ feels more modern of the two for sure. But the Jaguar I-Pace beats the Mercedes-Benz EBQ with a noticeable difference when it comes to acceleration. The Jag also comes with better driving dynamics and keeps the driver on focus. The comfort factor is spot on in both SUVs but Merc gets a slight edge in this department. The driving range is slightly better in the I-Pace but the difference is not much. The choice between the two depends on your personal preference. But you should consider the fact that the I-Pace costs significantly more than the EQB.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB is an electrified version of the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class. The boxy design of the EQB ensures that you get a good space inside the cabin. The EQB also feels more like a traditional SUV and looks quite similar to its gasoline counterpart. The performance of the EQB depends a lot on the powertrain option that you select. The base EQB feels very underpowered compared to all its rivals and will disappoint buyers who expect even some level of performance. The best option is to go for the Mercedes-Benz EQB which puts respectable power figures. It is still among the slowest electric cars in the segment but does the job fine. The handling is surprisingly good considering the boxy shape of the car. It also scores well in the comfort department but the seats could be more comfortable. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB comes out as a good choice if you are in the segment for an electric SUV.