2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 eclipses the GLB small SUV

The electric 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB offers a quieter, cleaner, stronger different to the gasoline-driven GLB 250 tiny crossover SUV. The electrical crossover is the to start with iteration of a smaller SUV in Mercedes-Benz’ speedily evolving EQ electric series—and nevertheless it shows up properly immediately after Mercedes has put an electric powered SUV on sale in Europe.

Even inside of the brand, the EQB could be thought of out of date, since the GLB-Class was introduced a few a long time ago. But, much like my Iphone 11 in contrast to the Iphone 14 presents I’m at present disregarding, it suited me beautifully great. For now. 

With a price ranging from $56,800 to $61,400, including a $1,050 desired destination payment, Mercedes situates the new 2022 EQB competitively with most other new electric powered crossovers, which include the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Ford Mustang Mach-E. It’s a lot less expensive than a Tesla Product Y and about the similar price tag as a Volvo XC40 Recharge, which is its closest competitor. Like the electrical model of the XC40, the EQB shares the identical human body as the gas GLB tiny crossover, besides Mercedes flattened the floor to match its usable 66.5-kwh battery pack, smoothed out the underbody, and solidified the ends for far better aerodynamics. 

The problem for Mercedes is convincing the EV curious that the EQB is truly worth about $10,000 much more than a likewise outfitted GLB 250. 

It is. Quickly. In our tests of the 5 types that at present make up the EQ relatives, which includes a preview of the forthcoming EQE SUV, the EQB confirmed how rapidly Mercedes is transforming its entire lineup to electric powered motor vehicles and getting to be a carbon-neutral manufacturer by 2039. At the exact time, the GLB also feels out of day in a fast transforming EV marketplace, like a flip mobile phone to my Apple iphone, or the Sinclair fuel station dinosaur logo.  

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB 300

Driving the 2022 EQB: Benz’ battery wager betters the GLB

All-around Denver and up to the red rocks jutting out of the horizon, the 2022 EQB 300 charmed with its silent performance, extraordinary grip, and roomy interior. It’s immensely practical, so a lot so that it can be fitted with a 3rd row to grow from five to seven seats. We’d adhere with four passengers, but in a pinch, or on a swift getaway from the town to the foothills, it can in shape a few shorties in the third row. 

It is speedy off the line but plateaus just as immediately, missing the torque-loaded thrust of most other electric powered crossovers with larger sized motors fed by a much larger battery pack. The two motors, which include a a lot more strong everlasting-magnet motor driving the rear axle, output 225 hp and 288 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes claims a -60 mph time of 8. seconds, and the larger motors on the EQB 350 make 288 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, very good for a -60 mph time of 6.2 seconds. 

The regular twin-motor, all-wheel-generate powertrain allows the motors function independently, so less than light throttle it is just rear-motor electrical power, but a heavier foot activates the entrance asynchronous motor. There’s plenty of thrust for most passing moves, even though it weighs about 1,000 lb a lot more than the fuel GLB.

That more weight combines with entrance struts and a multi-backlink rear suspension for a surefooted come to feel, even when driving on curly-fry streets up to lookout factors and then nose-diving again down to ketchup. It lacks AMG tuning or an air suspension, but with the out there adaptive dampers and low middle of gravity, the side-to-side motions were constrained and it leaned significantly less than other boxy crossovers. 

Well-weighted steering and the chunky, flat-bottomed steering wheel led to a solid, complete experience in sharp turns. It exceeded anticipations and turned a leisurely scenic travel into a enjoyable jaunt by way of the hills, the sort that evokes excuses to keep likely. A lot of the pleasure came from the whisper quiet cabin, which not only benefited from the quietude of electric powered motors but further audio insulation squashed street sounds. 

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB 300

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB 300

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB 300

Location the EQ variances

Apart from the slight styling discrepancies and a charge port on the passenger aspect rear fender, the EQB appears significantly like the GLB. Instead than Mercedes’ massive Hyperscreen, which encapsulates 3 electronic screens under a person pane of glass spanning 56 inches of dash, the EQB employs twin 10.3-inch screens, a person for gauges and the other a touchscreen for infotainment. 

The EQB’s electric vehicle signals are muted if not hidden, which is a departure from the complete monty in more substantial EQ designs driving on Mercedes dedicated EVA2 platform. Steering wheel paddles flick among three regen brake settings proven by a very small + or – icon in the gear selector display screen in the cluster. The most substantial regen placing, D-, doesn’t quite bring the EQB to a entire halt, and D+ manner coasts like a fuel engine. 

In other EQ styles, the regen configurations can be felt in the brake pedal and the throttle, which companies up in heavier regen configurations. In the EQB, the pedal dissimilarities in each environment are much less pronounced. And considering the fact that the EQB shares so significantly of the GLB, it lacks a frunk but it can be opened, unlike other EQ styles. 

Other muted signifiers are the array and kwh meters tucked in the decrease component of the tachometer. It seems Mercedes understates its EV bona fides. 

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB 300

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB 300

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB 300

EV array: The EQB shadows more recent rivals

We however do not know what these bona fides imply in phrases of vary, exactly. The EPA hasn’t certified the EQB, and Mercedes cites a 260-mile assortment on the generous European WLTP cycle. That will probable translate to about 225 miles on the EPA cycle, and Mercedes strategies a for a longer time-variety single-motor front-travel product afterwards. 

With its 400-volt electrical architecture, the EQB can DC rapid charge at up to 100 kw to recoup about 80 miles of array in 15 minutes, primarily based on our estimates. On a Level 2 240-volt charger rated at 32 amps, it’ll get extra than 11 hours for a whole charge. This is a single way in which the EQB is at the rear of the instances (as are the other, more substantial EQ versions) an 800-volt system allows for speedier charging. For Mercedes’ subsequent iteration of the EQ series on the EVA3 system, it will employ a 900-volt architecture.

There are electric crossovers with bigger assortment, such as in Mercedes’ own EQ household, still the EQB eases the changeover from combustion to electrification. Bundled are two years of 30-minute DC speedy-charging periods on Electrify America’s network. 

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB 300

Selling price: Is the 2022 Mercedes EQB really worth it?

The value variation amongst the GLB is fewer pronounced with the EQB’s regular features baked in, this kind of as the twin 10.3-inch screens rather of reasonably puny 7.-inch screens on the GLB 250. Wireless smartphone connectivity and wireless phone charging also come typical, as do heated entrance seats. An augmented truth navigation process will come conventional on the EQB, which overlays arrows and signposts on digital camera projections of the actual intersections and offramps. A touchpad in the console makes pinching or zooming map views easier than making use of the touchscreen. 

Also regular on the EQB and added on the GLB is Mercedes’ 64-coloration ambient lighting process that illuminates like the Vegas strip. Customer responses must be optimistic, but all the razzle dazzle can be muted, thankfully.

Stepping up from the Exclusive to the Pinnacle trim grades provides extra Mercedes finery, these types of as Burmester encompass seem, leather-based upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and a surround-check out camera process, among other goodies, for $2,550.

In addition to greater standard options among the EQB and GLB, the journey excellent is greater, the electricity is greater, and the tailpipe emissions are much less. It’s a much better GLB throughout the board other than when it arrives to selection. For now. 

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Mercedes-Benz supplied airfare and lodging for The Motor vehicle Connection to make this firsthand report.