The Mercedes-Benz EQB is named a crossover SUV (a physique kind that was once known as an MPV). You would say it has a bit extra floor clearance and rather less head room than an MPV, and it’s primarily based on the GLB, so it’s an SUV. However the GLB is a descendant of the B-Class, which makes it a crossover, and with 7 seats, it might positively be categorized as a mini MPV. This little rant is directed on the advertising and marketing drones of the automobile business that discovered a option to promote a soccer-mom car to the Marlboro Man. I like MPVs greater than the SUV/CUV variations that can’t determine what they’re. However that could be very private.
The Mercedes B-Class is a C-segment mini-MPV, and the large brother of the A-Class C-segment hatchback. The A-Class is the direct competitor to the Audi A3 and BMW 2 Collection. It’s nice to have an MPV/CUV/SUV model, however truthfully, why is it known as a special mannequin? The distinction between the EQS and the EQS SUV is much greater. The EQB might be considered the EQA SUV. Effectively, Mercedes will not be the one model having issue deciding between a mannequin and a mannequin household. Many others are worse.
It’s excellent for a younger household with children and canine, or older individuals who don’t like having a much bigger automobile anymore. For each, there are use circumstances that may profit from a bit extra vary. The usual vary model could be very satisfactory, however a protracted vary choice is sorely missed. I’ve a sense the Mercedes-Benz managers defining the mannequin traces see it as a second automobile for soccer mothers to enhance their greater automobiles.
With 7 seats, you possibly can carry half a group to a coaching or a match, excellent for a soccer mother/dad. However once you go mountain climbing with 6 children from scouting, you might be clearly the Marlboro Man. Yep, large distinction. I did sit within the second row seats. It was not a spot to be in for an extended street journey. At the least, not with my bloated backside.
Once I go testing this car to put in writing my 1st impressions evaluation, that is one thing to concentrate to. However CleanTechnica has the proper reviewer for this mannequin within the USA, an actual Marlboro Girl, raised in a storage with a wrench in her hand. She has 4 children, two canine, and a companion, and is as proficient with a gun as with a wrench. She does very thorough one-week opinions of this sort of car. And the EQB is with the EQS within the small line of totally electrical fashions Mercedes-Benz provides within the USA.
- Battery — 66.5kWh, with about 220 miles of vary.
- Battery — 70.5kWh, with about 233 miles of vary (EQB 250+).
- Motor — 140 kW and 385 Nm, front-wheel drive.
- Motor — 168 kW and 390 Nm, all-wheel drive (EQB 300).
- Motor — 215 kW and 520 Nm, all-wheel drive (EQB 350).
- Charging — 115 kW DC and 11 kW AC.
- Euro NCAP — 5 stars (*****)
- Size * Width * Peak — 175.7” * 72.2” * 63.8”
The velocity is proscribed to 160 km/h, or about 100 mph.
There’s a 5-seat and 7-seat structure, with the center row moveable to supply extra leg room when the third row will not be used.
Driving
The velocity is greater than sufficient for the max velocity allowed on any street in Europe and most different nations, except the German Autobahn. With the small battery and never very aerodynamic physique, quick driving will restrict the vary severely.
The numerous options of the EQB justify the classification as a luxurious car and the value, not less than on paper and within the showroom. That is one thing else I’ll look into after I strive to do that car justice in a full evaluation. The costs of the ten configurations and trim ranges vary from €60,000 to €72,000 earlier than customizing with the choices that make it excellent to your style.
I usually look extra at usability than driving traits, opposite to actual automobile journalists. On usability, this mannequin appears to be like sky excessive after my go to to the showroom. Every part that has a 7-seat configuration has a van-like trunk when in 5-seat mode. If the second row also can lay flat (one other factor to discover), it is a small van.
I can perceive why the EQA/EQB are the preferred electrical fashions within the Mercedes-Benz lineup.
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