Is the 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQB300 a Good Electric SUV? 5 Pros and 3 Cons
As Mercedes-Benz continues to join other luxury brands in going electric, a lot of media coverage has focused on the German carmaker’s stylish and tech-heavy electric-only sedans marketed under its EQ sub-brand. But there’s another electric vehicle in the lineup: the EQB compact luxury SUV. Unlike other EQ models, the EQB is based on an existing gasoline-powered model — the GLB — and builds on the good qualities of its sibling while broadening its appeal to a wider audience.
Related: 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQB300 Review: A Solid EV With Room for Improvement
The EQB comes in two flavors, both with standard all-wheel drive. The EQB300 4Matic and the more powerful EQB350 4Matic may not be as sexy as their EQ stablemates, but they are impressive nonetheless, retaining the spacious, upscale interior and comfortable ride of the GLB. The EQB even has the GLB’s third row of seating, in spite of making room for the added electric hardware.
Our Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman had the opportunity to sample both versions of the EQB, recently spending quite a bit of time in an EQB300. He came back with a lot of good things to say, but not all is rosy with this latest electric family workhorse. Click the link above to read Bragman’s expert review. For a quicker look, read on for five things we like about the 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQB300 and three things we don’t.
Things We Like
1. An EV for Novices
Unlike many EVs, there’s not much to distinguish the EQB from its gasoline-powered sibling, and that’s probably a good thing given its mission to appeal to a broad audience that doesn’t necessarily believe EVs have to look and feel like something from another planet. Changes from the GLB are quite subtle and are limited to a smoothed-over grille, different colors and wheels, and the signature Mercedes-EQ front lighting strip.
2. A Happy Place
The familiar look continues to the interior, which is virtually identical to that of the GLB. This compact SUV has a very nice cabin regardless of its powertrain. The upright, boxy profile allows for a spacious and airy cockpit, with excellent visibility all around and plenty of leg- and headroom front and rear. The shape also leaves room for an optional third row of seating, but remember, this is still a compact SUV — the back row is best reserved for kids.
3. What’s Old Is New
The EQB is just as tech-heavy as one might expect in a new luxury EV, but one piece of tech Mercedes opted not to include is the latest version of the MBUX multimedia system. Why are we happy about this? Because as much as we like the latest version of pretty much anything, the old system is just easier and less distracting to use. It also uses some physical knobs and switches, which provide better tactile feedback than the capacitive-touch controls of the newer system.
4. Quick to Go, Quick to Stop
According to Mercedes, the EQB300 can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 7 seconds flat, and the EQB 350 is about 1 second faster than that. Our test EQB300 felt responsive and quick from a standstill, delivering the seamless acceleration expected in any EV, and power is more than adequate for easy merging and passing. Braking is also quite good, with a firmer pedal and better feel than some EVs from Mercedes and other manufacturers.
5. Competitively Priced
Our test EQB300 carried a starting price of $55,550, including destination, and came to $57,650 with a panoramic moonroof and other minor options. That puts it squarely in the range of competitors, including the Audi Q4 E-Tron, the recently reduced Tesla Model Y and higher trims of the Volkswagen ID.4. It has a nicer interior than any of those, but it lacks the range and performance of the Tesla.
More From Cars.com:
- 2022 Mercedes-EQ EQB: The GLB Goes Electric
- How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB?
- What’s New With Electric Vehicles for 2023?
- Mercedes-Benz Announces Plans for High-Speed Charging Network
- Research the Mercedes-EQ EQB 300
Things We Don’t Like
1. Heavy Burden
Weighing in at 4,718 pounds, the EQB is heavy for a compact SUV, regardless of its powertrain. While it accelerates and handles well enough, the added bulk of its battery and electric powertrain can be felt when going over road imperfections and in corners. Bumps are absorbed nicely, but the EQB bounces once or twice as it recovers, sort of like an older domestic car. The added 827 pounds of weight compared to a GLB250 4Matic also makes the EQB300 feel less agile in corners.
2. Medium Range
Both versions of the EQB use a 70.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack rated for 243 miles of range in the EQB300 and 227 miles in the more powerful EQB350. That’s competitive with the 236 miles of range available with the Q4 E-Tron AWD but notably less than the EPA-estimated 330-mile range of a Model Y Long Range with AWD.
3. Pinching of Pennies
German manufacturers have long been fond of charging extra for features often included with competing vehicles. Unfortunately, the EQB carries on that tradition. Having to pay extra for heated front seats in a luxury vehicle is bad enough, but our test car didn’t even come with remote keyless entry to go with its push-button ignition. While probably not a deal breaker for most buyers, this seems like an odd omission.
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