Mercedes-Benz EQB

The EQB has the same basic silhouette as the GLB, and many of the same design lines, but there are a few key visual differences. For starters, the grille, as it is on most EVs, is a smooth panel that looks more like a vestigial reminder of an air intake. Mercedes says the EQB will also have special LED headlight and taillight treatments. At 184.4 inches long, the EQB is 2 inches longer than the gasoline-powered GLB.

The dash is dominated by two 10.25-inch horizontal screens—one is the digital instrument display; the other, the infotainment touch screen. Round jet nozzle vents, aluminum trim pieces, and accent lighting strips give the interior a thoroughly modern look. The ambient lighting can be configured in a choice of 64 different colors. All EQBs come with seating for five, with an optional two-seat third row that folds down. The cargo volume behind the second row is 23 cubic feet. Heated and ventilated front seats with a massage function are optional, as is a panoramic sunroof.

The EQB will come with an updated version of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, which includes voice activation. The user can begin commands simply by saying, “Hey, Mercedes.” The augmented reality navigation system, which superimposes navigational directions on video images of the streets outside the vehicle, is optional, and it can be especially helpful when the driver needs to find public charging. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity is standard on both trims.

Both trim levels will come with a two-motor setup powered by a 420-volt, 66.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. The EQB 300 4Matic (all-wheel drive in Mercedes-Benz lingo) will have 225 hp, within a few horsepower of the gas-powered GLB 250, and the EQB 350 4Matic will have 288 hp. Mercedes says the EQB can charge fully from a 10 percent charge in 7.5 hours using a standard 240-volt wall charger, and can charge to 80 percent from a 10 percent charge in 32 minutes using a DC fast charger, like those found at public charging stations. The company says that the EQB has up to 243 miles of driving range.

Four driving modes can be selected—Comfort, Sport, Eco, and a custom-configurable mode called Individual. A feature called Eco Assist helps the driver maintain an efficient driving style to save energy. In addition, two years of the “Mercedes me” charging plan is included. The plan, a collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and Electrify America, provides EQB drivers with an unlimited number of 30-minute charging sessions throughout the entire Electrify America network.

Both EQB trims come with several active safety features, including automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind spot warning (BSW), and lane keeping assistance (LKA). The emergency braking system is designed to identify stationary objects and pedestrians. A driver assistance package that includes adaptive cruise control and active lane keeping is optional.