Introduced this year, the Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 is a new battery electric model based loosely on the popular compact GLB model. The EQB seats up to seven and has an EPA-rated range of 243 miles per charge.

Mercedes-Benz designed the EQB using its new electrified platform. The vehicles on this platform are all “EQ” models. The EQB is aimed towards a smaller midsized need that fits the same niche as the GLB, but with an all-electric design. As such, it’s a great fit for the buyer who needs it. It’s roomy, seats four comfortably, five pretty well, and up to seven if two or three of them are small. Think of it as an “occasional use third row” vehicle that’s primarily going to be used for up to four passengers on the regular with the option for more, if required.

The Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 is outfitted as a more entry-level luxury model than it is a full luxury SUV, which means a lot of the things expected from a luxury vehicle of this price point aren’t included. Like the lower-priced GLB, now generally standard items like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings, lane keeping, and the like are add-ons that cost more. These are all part of the Driver Assistance Lite upgrade package. And that’s true for all three trim levels, even the most expensive.

Because of that apparent penny-pinching and our lackluster real-world battery range returns, which were well below the estimates from Mercedes and the EPA, we don’t recommend this vehicle to most buyers. There are other options in the EV market that offer more for the same or less money.

On paper, the XC40 is roughly equivalent to the EQB in almost every way. It’s similarly sized, has similar interior dimensions (sans a third row), and has similar range estimates. In the real world, the loss of the third row option might be the deal killer for some buyers. But the XC40 is more practical in other ways and gets closer to its EPA range estimates most of the time.

The GV60 is our current favorite in the realm of electrified small luxury SUVs. Its only downer against the EQB is cargo space, which is smaller due to the sportier design language of the Genesis. It also doesn’t have a third row option.

The Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 starts at $55,550 as the base level option for the EQB. Most buyers will be closer to $60,000 in their purchase and will definitely top that if the more powerful EQB 350 is optioned.

The table below shows the most common trim levels and how much they will run you.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB is a completely new vehicle this year. While based loosely on the GLB SUV, the EQB has no mechanical similarity and only passing body styling similarities to the GLB.

The Mercedes-Benz EQB comes in two basic flavors: 300 and 350. The 300 maximizes driving range by limiting power output from the two motors propelling the EQB. This model gets closer to the EPA’s range estimation and is otherwise the same as the 350.

The 350 model adds more availability of juice to the motors, giving faster sprint times and acceleration overall for the EQB. This makes it more engaging to drive, but not enough so that we’d recommend upgrading to this option.

The drive quality for both models is roughly equivalent otherwise. This is a fun and interesting SUV to drive and it’s small enough to be very maneuverable in most situations. While range estimates for it are optimistic, the amount that is available is enough for most people’s needs most of the time.

Neither testing body has crash tested and reported results for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB. We do note that the EQB does include most of the advanced safety equipment expected of a modern car and that they worked well during our testing (which did not include deliberate crash avoidance). The not mechanically similar GLB did very well in crash testing.

Finding reliability data for the EQB is difficult. We expect it will be about average given that is how most Mercedes vehicles rate. Recalls are few and so far, consumer complaints are also few.

As discussed earlier, the features list for the Mercedes-Benz EQB are lacking. Driver’s aids are standard in the luxury market and aren’t included here without paying extra.

That said, we would consider the 300 model, which has better range, in the basic Premium package with the Driver Assistance Lite to be the best value for those who must have an EQB.

Mercedes-Benz offers a slightly above market-average warranty for the EQB.

• Basic: 4 years / 50k miles
• Battery: 8 years / 100k miles
• Corrosion: 4 years / 50k miles

Because the EQB is a completely new model, finding a used version will not be likely. A potential trade-in from someone who bit off more than they could chew might be available on rare occasions, but most buyers will be looking at a new Mercedes-Benz EQB.

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