Luxury car buyers have shown increasing appetite for premium electric SUVs over the past few years. What was once considered a niche has grown into one of the most popular and competitive vehicle segments. As consumer mindsets shift towards brands that balance performance with sustainability, legacy automakers like Mercedes-Benz have invested heavily in electrifying their model lines.
The Mercedes EQB launched in 2021 as the brand‘s first entrant to the red-hot compact luxury EV SUV segment. As their third dedicated electric model following the EQC and EQS, Mercedes pulled out all the stops packing the EQB with leading-edge technology, digital features and benchmark performance and refinement.
This guide will explore what sets the trailblazing EQB apart. We’ll go under the skin to see how Mercedes blended convention and innovation to craft a supremely comfortable, confident electric SUV brimming with intelligence. One built to deliver emission-free mobility without compromise for the new era of luxury buyers.
The EQB Story: Accelerating Mercedes‘ Electric Future
Mercedes-Benz accelerated their shift towards electrification in 2016 when the Vision Mercedes EQ Concept premiered in Paris. This striking prototype gave the first glimpse of an entirely new sub-brand dedicated exclusively to battery-electric vehicles. The Concept EQ’s futuristic styling, 400+ mile range and automated driving capability made headlines as a transformative step for the brand.
Over the next three years, the Mercedes EQ division advanced rapidly from vision to reality. Their first production electric SUV, the midsize EQC, arrived in 2019 to mostly positive reviews. Next came the commercial EQV electric van filling out more practical needs.
Then Mercedes stunned again with the game-changing EQS flagship sedan. Launched in 2021, the barrier-breaking EQS set new benchmarks with a stunning 547-mile range, performance nearly on par with the mighty AMG E63, and next-generation comfort and luxury.
That same year Mercedes took advantage of this momentum by taking the wraps off the latest milestone in their “Electric First” offensive – the compact EQB SUV. As a close relation to the award-winning EQS, the EQB scales down the innovation in a tidy footprint primed for thriving global EV adoption.
EQB 300 vs EQB 350 – How Mercedes‘ Electric SUVs Compare
The EQB lineup launches with two variants: the EQB 300 4MATIC and EQB 350 4MATIC. Both deliver potent performance, luxury appointments and the latest tech – simply select based on your preference for power or maximum range.
Here‘s an overview of how the two versions shake out:
| Model | EQB 300 4Matic | EQB 350 4Matic |
| Battery Capacity | 66.5 kWh | 66.5 kWh |
| Max Range (WLTP) | 260 mi | 242 mi |
| Power | 225 hp | 288 hp |
| 0-60 mph | 7.0 sec | 6.2 sec |
| Top Speed | 99 mph | 99 mph |
| Starting MSRP | $55,750 | $60,050 |
As the numbers show, there isn‘t a huge difference in battery capacity or usable range between the two – both achieve WLTP-certified results over 240 miles. The EQB 300 tips the scales at 225 horsepower enabling a brisk 7-second 0-60 time. Splurging on the EQB 350 buys you an extra 63 hp for sports car-like thrust hitting 60 mph in around 6 seconds flat.
Impressively, Mercedes coaxes over 400hp and 500 lb-ft combined totals from the EQB in top-rung AMG tuning. Early test drives confirm even the "base" EQB 300 4MATIC delivers stirring acceleration with the instant torque delivery inherent to EVs. Add confidence-inspiring agility thanks to a low center of gravity, well-managed weight distribution and all-wheel drive grip.
Range, performance and smooth stable handling help position the EQB as class-leading for a compact luxury electric SUV. But its the meticulously crafted interior, smart features and standard driver assistance that seals the deal.
Inside the Sustainably Luxe Cabin
The EQB welcomes drivers and passengers into an airy, minimalist cabin blending high-tech interfaces with premium organic textures and recycled materials. Intuitive controls fall readily to hand and displays come alive with crisp colorful graphics.
Analog styling nods like turbine-look air vents and range readout bring a hints of playfulness balancing the screens and sensors. Everything comes sheathed, stitched or brushed to the highest standard the industry setters at Mercedes are known for.
By using animal-free leather alternatives, recycled plastics, and natural color palettes Mercedes achieves new levels of sustainability without compromising luxury feel. Quilted seating surfaces, open-pore wood trim options, and ambient interior lighting add further warmth. Storage nooks, trays and expansive panoramic roof enhance livability for family outings or outdoor getaways while keeping environmental impact low.
The latest incarnation of Mercedes‘ legendary MBUX interface pairs sublimely with the EQB experience via a centralized touchpad/touchscreen, intelligent voice assistant and customizable displays. Natural speech recognition means you can simply say "Hey Mercedes" to access navigation, music or comfort controls on the move. Over-the-air updates continuously expand capability – bringing more apps, features and refinements.
Standard active safety systems provide cutting-edge assistance:
- Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function
- ATTENTION ASSIST and PRE-SAFE Impulse Side
- Active Blind Spot Assist and Exit Warning Assist
- Traffic Sign Assist
These intuitive aids can automatically apply brakes to avoid collisions, keep you focused on longer drives while monitoring blind spots and high-traffic areas in your periphery.
Sleek Style Meets Aerodynamic Efficiency
One could argue the EQB‘s smoother, more approachable shape directly influenced consumer reception to electric more than any model outside of Tesla. Its softer profile looks more like a tall hatch or wagon fastback than a traditional boxy crossover. Full-width lighting signatures front and rear give it away as part of the new EQ breed.
A low, tapered roofline ending in a subtly integrated spoiler speaks to wind tunnel refinement. Flush door handles and window trim reduce turbulence across the profile as air rushes over, around and underneath unimpeded. Air Curtain inlets streamline airflow from the iconic front grille to the front axle without causing lift.
Testing shows a drag coefficient of just 0.28 Cd for the EQB – extremely low for an SUV shape of any powertrain. This aids stability while reducing noise and energy-sapping turbulence at speed. Mercedes claims lower overall wind resistance nets drivers up to 15 extra miles versus a typical brick-like electric crossover.
Engineering Efficiency Through Electrified Intelligence
The EQB‘s state-of-the-art electrical architecture and software generates tangible improvements that drivers will appreciate daily. Predictive driving data collected by the Mercedes me app allows your EQB to learn your common routes and destinations while monitoring live traffic patterns.
Over time, the advanced navigation system can automatically suggest faster options during your daily commute or properly time charging stops on road trips. The MBUX voice assistant provides another channel for natural interaction. Just say “Hey Mercedes, I’m cold” or “find the closest charging station” to engage with the system.
Real advantages also come via over-the-air software update capability. New apps and interface upgrades can install seamlessly without visiting the dealership. Controls stay current, your EV’s “brain” stays sharp and new capabilities unlock over time to keep things fresh.
For example, Drive Pilot mode enables true hands-free driving assistance during highway commuting. By early 2024, Mercedes plans to activate hands-free automated driving functions for the EQB up to 60 mph depending on market regulations. This gives a taste of innovations percolating upward from Mercedes‘ flagship models allowing elder EQB models to continually improve.
Early Verdict: Tops Among Luxury Electric SUVs
Overall the trendsetting EQB nails the crossover between prestige brand mystique, high-tech sophistication and approachable electric mobility in a 5-passenger package. CombiningConcept EQ inspiration, EQS innovation and next-gen MBUX experiences powered by seamless sustainability and intelligence.
Early sales reinforce the appeal. Mercedes delivered over 20,000 EQB models in its first year cementing it among the global top 10 best-selling electric SUVs. Positive reviews praise the EQB for pushing boundaries of the compact luxury EV segment with style, quality and execution.
JWTrends hails it as “…a smooth, quiet operator with cutting-edge tech – exactly what you’d expect of the three-pointed star.” Digital Trends mirrors that sentiment calling the EQB “…a high-techEV that won‘t beat you up.”
What we see today is only the first chapter with over-the-air updates and model year improvements continuing to raise this Star’s shine. Given Mercedes‘ vast resources and vision for electric transformation, the future looks bright for EVs bearing that iconic badge. As the three-pointed star continues rising over this new golden era of luxury electric mobility.
