2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB

With the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB, the Mercedes-EQ lineup welcomes an all-electric compact SUV that seats up to seven. It’s efficient, versatile, and accessible — the kind of vehicle you turn to when you’ve got plenty going on.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB delivers robust power, with in excess of 288 (215kW) horsepower in the 350 models. Even more impressive, however, is the way it manages that power. Using Navigation with Electric Intelligence, the EQB monitors navigation data, traffic signals, and information from vehicle sensors to conserve and recuperate energy wherever it can. It’s also meticulous when it comes to managing journey times, factoring charging stations, charging duration, weather, topography, and even your personal driving style into its estimates.

EV MOTOR AND IMPLEMENTATION

The entry-level model will be the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB300, which comes with front-wheel drive and a 225-hp electric motor that also produces 288 pound-feet of torque. The step-up offering is the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive EQB350, which makes 288 horsepower and 324 pound-feet. The EQB shares chassis components with the gasoline-powered GLB but is considerably heavier, giving it a more settled ride. In a brief drive in the EQB350, it felt quicker than the GLB250 and more on a par with the AMG GLB35. When we get a chance to take the EQB to our test track, we’ll update this story with test results and more driving impressions.

CHARGING AND BATTERY POWER

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB uses a 66.5-kWh battery located underneath the floor. The EPA-estimated driving range has not yet been announced but should be close to the targeted competitors, the Audi Q4 e-tron and Volkswagen ID.4. We’ll know more closer to the EQB’s on-sale date.

INTERIOR, CONVENIENCE, AND BOOTH

Mercedes has carried over the cabin from the GLB-class SUV to the EQB with few changes that help differentiate it from its gasoline-powered counterpart. There are five seats across two rows with an optional pop-up third row of seats. Nicely trimmed door panels, soft leather upholstery, and bright metal trim all lend an upscale look to the EQB’s cabin. The EQB, also like other EQ models, also features lovely rose-gold interior accents. The addition of the battery pack does intrude on cargo space somewhat, with the EQB losing up to 5 cubic feet of luggage space depending on how the rear seats are folded.

IN-VEHICLE INFOTAINMENT AND INTERCONNECTIONS

Mercedes-Benz’s newest MBUX infotainment system is on display inside the EQB. It offers touchscreen, voice command, and steering-wheel controls for its audio, navigation, and other functions. We’ve found this new interface to be frustrating to use at times, particularly its overly enthusiastic voice assistant that pops up any time you say the word Mercedes. The navigation offers a feature to help drivers more easily find EV charging stations.

PROTECTION AND DRIVER-ASSISTANCE ASPECTS

The EQB offers some standard driver assistance features, including lane-keeping assist and automated emergency braking, but more desirable and higher-tech ones are optional. For more information about the EQB’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

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