The Mercedes-Benz EQB stays the one seven-seat electrical SUV on the time of writing… properly, in case you possibility a 3rd row on the entry-level 250 variant…
Later this 12 months the Kia EV9 will change into the second identify on that record, however even when that occurs your choices are nonetheless very restricted.
However throughout the EQB vary choices are additionally restricted – as a result of in case you go for the 350 4Matic examined right here, you’re unable to possibility a 3rd row of seating in Australia, regardless of it being out there abroad.
Why? Australian guidelines round rear axle load limits prohibit the German marque from becoming the heavier EQB 350 with sixth and seventh seats.
So then, what’s the purpose of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4Matic?
Effectively, if you would like a Mercedes-Benz EV and the EQA doesn’t have sufficient area, the five-seat EQB 350 4Matic gives a lot of the identical inside design and drive expertise however with a much bigger, boxier physique that may higher match individuals and their stuff.
Being a Benz it’s additionally meant to be a little bit fancy, and at over $100,000 as examined it prices a fairly penny too. Does it make a case for itself in an ever-competitive market?
How a lot does the Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4Matic value?
Costs are up barely as of mid-2023, with the EQB 350 4Matic priced from $107,480 earlier than on-road prices – a rise of $780.
That’s about $19,000 dearer than the single-motor EQB 250 that’s just about the identical automotive with much less energy, and likewise gives the choice of three rows of seating.
Even on the 350’s worth level you continue to should possibility issues like a head-up show and the MBUX Excessive package deal with augmented actuality (AR) navigation, in addition to electrically-operated entrance seats with reminiscence – actually Mercedes?!
Rivals embrace the BMW iX3 ($104,900) and the Tesla Mannequin Y Efficiency ($98,415). You can additionally throw in flagship mainstream EVs just like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 Epiq AWD ($84,981) and Kia EV6 GT ($99,590).
Aside from the BMW, the entire different listed choices provide extra efficiency and vary than the EQB.
2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB pricing:
Mercedes-Benz EQB 250: $88,579Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4MATIC: $107,480
Costs exclude on-road prices
What’s the Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4Matic like on the within?
Like a GLB, and by extension like an A-Class, B-Class or GLA.
A taller, extra upright model of the prevailing Mercedes-Benz cabin options right here, headlined by twin 10.25-inch shows working the primary iteration of the MBUX linked infotainment interface.
It’s a well-recognized system that’s engaging to have a look at and pretty simple to make use of, together with options like satellite tv for pc navigation with reside site visitors updates, in addition to DAB digital radio along with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
There’s an possibility which brings augmented actuality (AR) navigation as a part of the MBUX Innovation Bundle ($2500), together with a head-up show. AR overlays a reside digicam feed with mapping prompts in your cluster or the infotainment show, which is each useful and an incredible occasion trick.
MBUX 1.0 solely gives wired smartphone mirroring as famous earlier, and with the position of the USB-C port (and a tightly-packaged telephone slot with charging pad), utilizing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto dangers your smartphone being flung across the cabin.
It’s a disgrace the EQB with its high-tech drivetrain doesn’t have the highest-tech infotainment from Mercedes, although an upcoming facelift in step with the associated GLB is will carry MBUX 2.0 with wi-fi mirroring performance.
You may management it through contact inputs or through the touchpad on the centre tunnel. There are additionally sliders on the steering wheel spokes that mean you can toggle each screens (infotainment on the left, driver’s show on the proper), to maintain you from having to take your fingers off the wheel.
As we’ve famous in different critiques of MBUX 1.0-equipped fashions, the interface is clear and comparatively intuitive whereas additionally quick to reply.
Tied to the infotainment in the identical housing is the ten.25-inch digital driver’s show, which is as clear and configurable as the very best of them. I benefit from the array of layouts and choices, and the graphics are nearly as good as in higher-end Benzes. Controlling them with the fiddly contact squares on the steering wheel, although, can take a little bit getting used to.
Talking of the steering wheel, there’s loads of (handbook) adjustment within the steering column in addition to the motive force’s seat to get snug for longer journeys. The tall cabin and large home windows additionally lend a brilliant and ethereal really feel.
Whereas Mercedes-Benz assured us on the launch (November 2022) new orders would characteristic power-adjustable entrance seats with heating, based on the present on-line brochure electrical seats with reminiscence are nonetheless an possibility, and there’s no point out of powered seats as customary tools.
Mercedes-Benz Australia has since elected to not add electrical seats and improve pricing, combining electrical seats and reminiscence for the entrance seats right into a $1023 possibility. It’s questionable that you just nonetheless should possibility powered entrance seats in a car asking for almost $110,000.
Being based mostly on the GLB and by extension the B-Class, area effectivity and optimisation is a key focus level within the GLB. Storage choices within the entrance row embrace twin cupholders with a wi-fi smartphone charger, although as famous earlier the position of the USB-C port for smartphone mirroring looks as if an odd alternative.
There’s additionally a deep, dual-lidded centre cubby with USB-C factors, and it’s deep sufficient for giant bottles or similarly-sized gadgets. The EQB’s door pockets are deep, if a little bit skinny. Nonetheless, there’s heaps of room to your odds and ends.
Within the second row the EQB scores some factors again, because of its segment-busting packaging.
Regardless of its compact automotive underpinnings, the EQB gives leg- and headroom on par with bigger rivals. It’s like a Skoda Kodiaq or Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace inside.
The second row slides for and aft, and the backrests might be reclined. It’s a really configurable area.
Facilities embrace rear air vents, an extra USB-C cost port, netted map pockets behind the entrance seats, bottle holders within the door pockets, and a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders.
I can comfortably sit behind my most well-liked driving place at 6’1, and also you’ll have the ability to squeeze three average-sized adults for brief journeys. Youngsters will adore it again right here, and the littlest ones can be catered for because of ISOFIX anchors and top-tether factors.
The EQB 350 quotes 495 litres with the second row in place, opening as much as 1710 litres with the second row folded.
As a reference, the non-electric Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace quotes 700L/1775L in equal configurations.
No spare wheel options on the EQB spec sheet. As an alternative, there’s a tyre inflation equipment.
What’s below the bonnet?
The EQB 350 ups the ante over the 250 with dual-motor 4Matic all-wheel drive.
System outputs are rated at 215kW and 520Nm – up from the 250’s 140kW/385Nm figures – with Mercedes-Benz quoting a 0-100 time of 6.2 seconds.
The EQB 350 4Matic makes use of the identical 66.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack because the EQB 250, however vary drops to a claimed 445km based mostly on an influence consumption fee of 18.8kWh/100km based on ADR 81/02 figures, that are aligned with the older, extra lenient NEDC check cycle.
For reference, Mercedes-Benz UK quotes 242-253mi (389-407km) for the EQB 350 4Matic on the stricter WLTP cycle, which is way more in step with the vary quotes I used to be getting from the automotive throughout my time with the EQB 350.
The battery might be charged at as much as 100kW utilizing a DC quick charger, with 11kW potential through AC. That’s a little bit down on most rivals at this finish of the market that may usually be replenished at charges of 150-200kW.
At its peak cost fee, the EQB might be replenished from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 32 minutes.
How does the Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4Matic drive?
If the EQB 250 is clean and relaxed, the 350 noticeably punchier.
With almost 150Nm extra torque and 75kW extra energy, the EQB 350 feels each little bit of that 3.0s faster (to 100km/h) in real-world driving, maybe extra so when accelerating to city speeds given the immediacy of response.
Stab it from the lights and it’ll pin you and your passengers into the again of your respective seats, with very quick and linear acceleration that may get you to freeway speeds as rapidly as most sizzling hatches.
I most well-liked the relaxed really feel of the 250 which by no means felt prefer it was scrabbling for grip nor did it really feel underpowered at Australia’s typical 100-110km/h velocity limits, although I think about on sooner European freeways the distinction between the 2 variants can be way more pronounced.
Just like the 250 the EQB 350 may be very quiet and refined in any respect speeds, with silent acceleration and a well-sorted journey regardless of the 20-inch salad spinner alloy wheels and their 235/45 low-profile tyres.
A part of the magic is down to straightforward adaptive damping tied to the MacPherson entrance and multi-link rear suspension system, which helps the EQB to iron out street imperfections on the town and on the freeway with minimal cabin disturbance.
Physique management within the EQB is fairly first rate regardless of its 2153kg kerb weight, and the sunshine, fluid controls encourage you to drive this in a relaxed and restrained method.
Insulation from the surface world is fairly good with out being exemplary, retaining in thoughts the EQB’s boxy physique isn’t as slippery by means of the air because the EQA, whereas the huge alloy wheels and low-profile tyres aren’t finest suited to cancelling out street roar over coarser blacktop.
It does its finest work in city and metropolis environments, getting as much as 60 or 80km/h with out breaking a sweat, even when within the 350 increased speeds are hardly a chore both.
There are regenerative braking settings from subsequent to nothing to close one-pedal driving, in addition to an adaptive mode that makes use of the forward-facing sensors to regulate regen ranges on the fly. I tended to make use of essentially the most aggressive setting simply so my head might get round a constant really feel, because the adaptive setting can take a little bit getting used to.
Props to Mercedes for retaining the GLB’s huge glasshouse, because the EQB gives wonderful outward visibility from all angles which makes this household bus fairly simple to park and place in tight streets.
The EQB comes customary with the Driving Help Bundle, that means it will get adaptive cruise management with cease/go, in addition to Lively Pace Restrict Help and Lively Steering Help for semi-autonomous freeway driving.
Mercedes-Benz has lengthy thought of itself the benchmark for autonomy and security tech in its autos, I had excessive hopes for its help suite. Fortunately, all of them work rather well.
Different highlights embrace blind-spot help and exit warning features, that are these good-to-have issues that don’t pay themselves on till that point you want them (which is normally in a split-second).
All informed, it’s a pleasant factor to drive. My foremost gripe is the vary (or lack thereof) – I used to be seeing an indicated 19.9kWh/100km which might point out a real-world driving vary of about 334km, properly off Benz’s 445km declare.
What do you get?
EQB 250 highlights:
19-inch alloy wheelsLED headlightsAdaptive high-beamProgressive exterior packageRear privateness glassKeyless entry and startHands-free energy tailgateSemi-autonomous parking assistAdaptive suspensionRain-sensing wipersTyre stress monitoring10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system10.25-inch digital instrument clusterApple CarPlay, Android AutoSatellite navigationDAB+ digital radioWireless telephone charger64-colour adjustable ambient lightingDual-zone local weather controlLeather-wrapped steering wheelArtico upholsteryHeated, power-adjustable entrance seats
EQB 350 4Matic provides:
20-inch alloy wheelsPanoramic sunroofAMG exterior styling AMG-specific entrance apron incl. air curtainsAMG-specific black panel grilleAMG rear apron in diffuser lookAMG ground matsArtico, Dinamica microfibre upholsterySports seatsNappa leather-based flat-bottom steering wheelIlluminated door sillsBacklit spiral-look trim parts
Choices
MBUX Innovation Bundle: $2500
Head-up displayMBUX Inside AssistantAugmented actuality navigationMBUX Excessive
Burmester encompass sound: $1400
AMG leather-based package deal: $1700
Colors
Stable: $NCO
Metallic: $1490
Denim Blue metallicRosé Gold metallicDigital White metallicIridium Silver metallicMountain Gray metallicCosmos Black metallic
Matte: $3300
Manufaktur Mountain Gray Magno
Is the Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4Matic secure?
The EQB wears a five-star ANCAP security score based mostly on 2019 exams, although this is applicable solely to the EQB 250 – the EQB 350 4Matic is unrated.
It obtained an grownup occupant safety rating of 95 per cent, a baby occupant safety rating of 91 per cent, a susceptible street person safety rating of 78 per cent, and a security help rating of 74 per cent.
Customary security tools consists of:
9 airbags incl. driver’s kneeAutonomous emergency braking (AEB)Pedestrian, Bicycle owner detectionActive Steering AssistAdaptive cruise management incl. lively velocity limiterBlind-spot assistLane maintain assistSafe exit warningSurround-view camerasTraffic signal recognition
How a lot does the Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4Matic value to run?
Mercedes-Benz covers its vary with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
Servicing is required each 12 months or 25,000km, whichever comes first.
There are three-, four- and five-year service packages out there, and for the EQB they’re priced at $1625, $2225 and $2650 respectively.
My indicated consumption throughout my time with the EQB 350 4Matic was 19.9kWh per 100km, which might point out a driving vary of a little bit over 330km on a full cost. Whereas that vary isn’t nice, the effectivity determine isn’t dangerous for the dimensions of auto, in addition to the actual fact it’s inside 1.0kWh/100km of what I obtained within the 250 (19.1kWh/100km).
Within the EQB 250 I had shortly after this EQB 350, I attempted a few fees at public DC quick chargers to check real-world efficiency. The EQB 250 would constantly peak at slightly below its 100kW capability earlier than tapering, with one session returning 49.27kWh in 40 minutes.
Mercedes-Benz throws in a one-year subscription to the Chargefox public charger community, together with ultra-rapid stations – whereas useful, the 12-month subscription is fairly brief in comparison with the three- or five-year passes given to consumers of different premium EVs.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4Matic
For me, the EQB 350 appears redundant given you can’t get it in Australia with seven seats.
The entire level of getting the EQB (or GLB) over the EQA (or GLA) is the additional area and possibility for a 3rd row, and in contrast to quite a lot of mid-size three-row SUVs the EQB’s rearmost seats are literally usable.
Effectively, for the EQB 350 4Matic it’s five-seat solely – and it carries a close to $20,000 premium over the single-motor EQB 250 which gives the three-row possibility. Twin-motor all-wheel drive is fascinating for some, however the 350’s degree of efficiency can’t match quite a lot of rival electrical crossovers, and its driving vary is likewise off the tempo.
The present EQB can also be working older infotainment software program and options in comparison with a few of its family members – i.e. the A-Class has already been up to date the MBUX 2.0, with the GLA and GLB to observe earlier than 12 months’s finish.
For me, the one EQB that basically is smart is the 250 optioned with seven seats, as there’s presently no different SUV in the marketplace that may give you an electrical drivetrain with seven seats – no less than till round October when Kia releases the even bigger and extra spacious EV9.
As for the EQB 350, I’d put my cash in the direction of the extra luxurious and succesful BMW iX3 as a substitute – even when it lacks all-wheel drive. I’m certain many will see the Mannequin Y Efficiency as the plain alternative, too.
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MORE: Every part Mercedes-Benz EQB
