By Jonathan Crouch

Introduction

It's very difficult to package a mid-sized EV so effectively that up to seven people can sit inside it. But back in 2021, Mercedes pulled off that feat with this car, the EQB, which usefully broadened its electric vehicle line-up. Featuring a powertrain from the smaller EQA, it was based of course on the design of the combustion-engined GLB crossover and shares much of that car's premium appeal.

History

Launched back in 2021, the EQB was another in what at the time seemed to be a continual stream of different Mercedes EQ electric models, with the 'B' in this case standing not for the brand's mini-MPV but designating instead something fairly obvious from a quick glance at this car: the fact that this was the full-battery version of the Stuttgart maker's MK1 GLB mid-sized SUV. That GLB's strongest point of differentiation from rivals was its seven-seat format, a USP that was carried over to this EQB to set it apart in its over-crowded sector. Back in 2021, that third seating row really was quite a unique attribute for EV customers in our market. From launch, it's only full-EV seven-seat rivals were either cheap converted vans from Peugeot, Citroen and Vauxhall; or a rather more expensive converted van from Mercedes itself, the enormous EQV; or a Tesla Model X costing nearly six-figures. But Mercedes knew it wouldn't have this mid-market space to itself for very long. Tesla subsequently offered its similarly-sized Model Y hatch here in seven-seat form - and other brands followed. Engineering and technology-wise, this car shared everything that mattered with its smaller EQA hatch stablemate - including a slightly compromised MFA2 chassis not originally designed for EV use. This MK1 EQB model hailed from quite a different production facility though. Instead of Rastatt in Germany, it was screwed together at Kecskemet in Hungary, where the MK1 GLB was built. Which was a change from the original plan, which was supposed to see the EQB produced in Daimler's French Hambach plant alongside little smart cars. This first generation EQB was initially available in twin motor 300 and 350 forms, but a light facelift in 2023 brought the further availability of the entry-level single motor 250+ powertrain from the EQA, which boosted sales a bit. The MK1 EQB sold until late-2025, when it was replaced by a second generation model.

What You Get

The EQ brand is supposed to stand for 'progressive luxury' and from this MK1 EQB's launch, we were told that this Mercedes interpreted this mantra in 'an edgy and characterful way'. The reality of course was that this was simply a different variant of the brand's GLB Crossover model, with bespoke EQ styling front and rear. It could just as easily have been called the 'GLB Electric' - as it would subsequently be in second generation form. At the side, changes over a combustion GLB were limited to differently-styled alloy wheels, which will be between 18 and 20 inches in size. As with the GLB, key styling touches include particularly short front and rear overhangs, plus there's the way that the lower window line kinks up at the base of the C-pillar. The SUV vibe meanwhile, is emphasised by squared-off black-clad wheel arches and aluminium roof rails. Plus lower black side cladding, embellished by a smart silver strip. Mercedes wanted to position this EQB slightly differently from its combustion stablemate and the easiest way of doing that without incurring expensive re-tooling costs was to restyle the front and rear ends. The frontal treatment shares the combustion model's clamshell bonnet but looks a sleek step away from the GLB's rather bluff visage, with a horizontal fibre-optic strip connecting the daytime running lights of the blue-tinged full LED headlamps. Because only 'AMG Line'-trimmed variants were offered in our market, EQBs here all came with twin blade chrome strips on the black grille panel, plus an assertive intake design beneath flanked by smart corner outlets. The rear looks like it does on every other early compact EQ-series Mercedes design, with LED tail lamps merging seamlessly into a tapered LED light strip that flows above the brand badge and adds a sense of width. Unlike the GLB, the number plate sits lower, right down in the bumper, allowing for a more smoothly-styled tailgate, which is topped by a subtle roof spoiler. Under the skin, the GLB's high-strength steel and aluminium 'MFA2' platform needed a good deal of re-engineering to take the extra weight of this EQB's battery system - nearly half a tonne. The lithium-ion cell pack is mounted within a rear section of raised floor and much of it sits beneath the back seat. And at the wheel? Well Mercedes didn't really need to redesign the GLB's cabin for this car - and it didn't. Not at first glance anyway. Delve into different display options available across the usual glitzy screenfest and you'll find some EV-specific stuff, but otherwise, everything's just as it would be in a GLB. Which means you sit quite high and the cabin's dominated by what back in 2021 was the premier size of 'widescreen' layout from the brand's cabin portfolio for smaller models, which sees a colourful 10-inch centre dash infotainment display paired with an instrument binnacle screen of the same size. There are plenty of ways to interact with this 'MBUX' (or 'Mercedes-Benz User eXperience') set-up - touchscreen, voice control and various touchpads. And of course, as ever in a Mercedes, you're surrounded by premium touches; like the intricately fashioned double-stitched door cards. And the circular silver jet engine-style vents which decorate the dash and are an integral part of the classy ambient lighting system that brings the interior alive at night. Luxury downsizers will love it all. In the second row, this EQB can't simply replicate what's on offer with its GLB showroom stablemate. As mentioned earlier, a huge great half a tonne 420V battery is, after all, positioned directly beneath the rear bench and double-stacked under the back seat cushions. This is a design feature you might well guess without actually knowing about it, so significant is the rise in floor height necessary to accommodate all those lithium-ion cells. The result is a bench base positioned much closer to the floor than you might be used to. Which means your knees end up closer to your chest than they would usually be, though to be fair, this is an issue you'll only really be bothered by on longer trips. Headroom, measured at 840mm (the same as a GLB) should be fine for taller folk, though there's a slight compromise to make if the lovely twin-paned panoramic glass roof has been fitted. This EQB has a bench that can be slid back and forth over a range of 140mm, 90mm to the front and 50mm to the rear, in its rearmost setting offering up to 967mm of leg space - enough for even six-footers to get comfortable. The backrests recline too, through eight stages. What about the third row seating? It was optional on the Continent but EQBs sold in our market had to have it. Mind you, we can't really see why you wouldn't want these extra rearmost chairs. Getting to them requires a certain degree of athleticism that'll probably be beyond granny on her Sunday trip to the garden centre. That's because you have to step up and once you pull the second row backrest out of the way via this 'EASY ENTRY' seat shoulder catch, the aperture that opens up for third row access is as narrow as it usually is with SUVs in this segment. Third row legroom is as restricted as it usually is with seven-seaters of this size too. As usual with a 7-seat SUV, you rather sit with your knees up towards your stomach and headroom is at something of a premium - in fact, Mercedes says it isn't safe for someone over 1.65-metres in height (just under 5 ft 6 inches) to be sat back here at all. But that won't matter much to most owners, who'll only really want the rearmost pews for children. If that's the case for you, you'll be pleased to find that Mercedes hasn't forgotten to fit ISOFIX child seat fastening points (a surprisingly rare thing to find in the third row of mid-sized seven-seaters). The luggage area is accessed via a standard 'EASY-PACK' powered tailgate. As in any ordinary seven-seat GLB, there's very little space to play with if all three rows are in use and it's even worse with an EQB because, due to the lack of that 'frunk' under-bonnet space we just mentioned, the charging lead bags have to sit here. It all means that with the third row upright, you'll be limited to carrying a few shopping bags and not a lot else. Most of the time of course, you're going to be travelling with the rearmost chairs folded into the floor, a simple action activated by pulling on the provided red straps. That'll improve cargo capacity to a maximum of 465-litres. If you're able to flatten the second row in this EQB, you can free up as much as 1,710-litres.

What to Look For

You'll need to shop carefully here. With a few rogue EQBs, we've heard of serious high-voltage battery faults, intermittent total power loss due to software glitches and, in a few cases, even a fire risk (in cases where the battery's failed internally). As with any EV, do a thorough charge before you buy, making sure that everything functions properly and that the charging leads haven't been damaged. Otherwise, quite a few of the same issues that apply to Mercedes GLB and EQA models also apply here. Which means you should look out for interior rattles, creaks and inconsistent panel gaps. And check the infotainment system out thoroughly; we've heard of the central screen turning off unexpectedly and failing rear view cameras. Insist on a full Mercedes dealer service history, especially for the most recent models whose lengthy warranty - effectively for the life of the car - is dependent on proper servicing by an authorised agent. Check that all the accessories work and watch out for cosmetic damage which can be expensive to correct. This was a family car, so check for wear and tear in the rear. Also look for the usual signs of wheel kerbing and poorly repaired accident damage. Otherwise, it's the usual things here; interior trim and electrical issues were the most commonly afflicted things that came up in our survey. Check for uneven panel gaps and paint flaws. Inspect the electrics and the air conditioning functionality - it should blow our really chilled air. Obviously insist on a fully stamped up service book.

Replacement Parts

(approx based on a 2022 EQB 300 4MATIC - autodoc.co.uk - Ex Vat) An air filter is around £13-£27. Front brake pads sit in the £35-£84 bracket for a set (for rears it's around £24-£52). Front brake discs cost in the £35-£86 bracket. Rear brake discs can cost in the £146 bracket. A front shock absorber is in the £85-£160 bracket. A wiper blade is in the £6-£17 bracket.

On the Road

The EQB sprints away from rest pretty quickly, despite tipping the scales at around 2.2-tonnes, a legacy of the fact that Mercedes made this model run on an MFA2 platform originally designed for combustion models. That being the case, you might have expected the brand to have countered that extra bulk by fitting a more powerful propulsion system but if anything, the opposite is true here. From launch, this EQB was only available in twin motor '4MATIC' AWD form which offered a choice between the 228hp EQB 300 or the 292hp EQB 350. In 2023, a single motor front-driven EQB 250+ variant joined the line-up, offering 188hp. All EQBs use the same 70.5kWh battery, which takes you about 330 miles on each charge with the 250+. That figure falls to 257 miles with early versions of the twin motor 4MATIC 300 and 350 variants - which is some way behind the class norm for this period. To maximise range, you'll need to make proactive use of the various brake regenerative energy harvesting modes on offer. The most aggressive setting is 'D - -', in which you feel sharp retardation whenever you come off the throttle. That's useful in town, meaning you hardly ever need to use the brakes, except when coming to a complete stop. The least aggressive setting is 'D+', in which the car coasts without any perceptible off-throttle braking, maintaining momentum. Whatever variant of this model you choose, you'll find it easy to drive and particularly in its element around town, where you'll appreciate the light steering; and the compact 11.4-metre turning circle you might need for getting into those tight charging bays. With a rapid charging supply, the EQB DC-charges at 100kW, which isn't very fast, even for the 2021-2025 era; using a DC supply, the battery can replenish itself from 10 to 80 per cent in 37 minutes. More commonly, you'll be powering up from something like a 7.4kW wall box, charging from which to 100 per cent takes ten hours and 45 minutes. Beyond the city limits, the EQB reveals itself as a pleasant, supple and very refined high speed cruiser: in that respect at least, it's recognisably a Mercedes.

Overall

We were much more convinced by this first generation EQB then we were by its equivalent EQA stablemate. Mainly because this more versatile design has a unique selling point denied not only to that EQA but to most other mid-sized EVs from the 2021-2025 period: seven seats. So larger families who lack a lottery win and don't want a converted van but want something relatively compact and premium from this era can join the electric vehicle revolution. What'll they find here? The usual eye-catching Mercedes front-of-cabin experience, classy screen technology and the rather smug sense of self satisfaction that comes in having a car with the Three Pointed Star on your driveway. On top of that, the brake regeneration system is excellent. And residual values are reasonably competitive. All of these attributes are needed because in the debit column, there's premium pricing and a number of downsides that basically relate back to the fact that this car's MFA2 platform, though heavily modified for battery duty, wasn't originally designed for an EV. Amongst these are the lack of storage space beneath the bonnet, the limited 100kW battery charging rate and, most importantly, driving range that's about 20% off the class best from his era. If you really need seven seats in your EV, we think the EQB's selling points may out-weigh these demerits. If you don't, then the issues we've mentioned may well tempt you to look elsewhere. But do that and you might find this Mercedes model's family flexibility difficult to replicate, even for this kind of money. And that makes it a difficult car to ignore.