In five-seat mode, the EQB offers 495 litres of luggage capacity, or 1,710 litres with both rear rows of seats folded flat. There’s not a lot of room in the boot if all seven seats are in use, but that’s typical of seven-seat SUVs. That said, the Kia EV9 offers 333 litres of boot space, even in the seven-seat configuration, making it a better choice for large families.
Good safety rating, but some driver assistance systems are optional, and Mercedes’ customer satisfaction is in question
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Key standard safety features |
Euro NCAP safety ratings |
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The Mercedes EQB didn’t appear in the latest 2024 Driver Power satisfaction survey, but Mercedes, as a brand, managed a disappointing 25 out of 32 on the list of manufacturers, placing it below many mainstream companies. Indeed, only Vauxhall, Audi, Renault, Volkswagen, Ford, Fiat and MG finished lower. Not an encouraging result for a premium brand.
There’s better news when it comes to safety, with the Mercedes EQB awarded a maximum five-star rating by safety experts Euro NCAP when it was crash tested in 2019. The category scores were impressive, including 95 per cent for Adult Occupant safety and 91 per cent for Child Occupant safety.
The EQB comes with many standard safety features, including multiple airbags, active brake assistance, active lane-keep assistance, a blind spot monitoring system, emergency call system in the event of an accident, and speed limit assistance. Sport Executive and AMG Line Executive models have rear parking sensors and a rearview camera, while AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus models also feature a 360-degree camera for even easier parking.
For the most advanced driver assistance systems, you’ll need to add the £1,500 Driver Assistance package. Available on all models, it adds the like of an active blind spot assistance system to warn you of vehicles during a lane change, adaptive cruise control, active braking assist with cross-traffic function, active steering assistance, and a pre-safe system, which prepares the car for an impending accident.
Mercedes EQB alternatives
The EQB is one of several Mercedes SUVs, and one of five electric SUVs. It sits between the smaller Mercedes EQA and the larger Mercedes EQE SUV in the range, but while the EQB boasts seven seats as standard, the EQE is strictly a five-seater. For a more traditional alternative, the Mercedes GLB is powered by a range of efficient engines.
There’s not a lot of choice if you’re looking for a combination of electric power and seven seats, with the Kia EV9 and Tesla Model X the most obvious candidates. The Kia is bigger than the EQB, with prices starting from around £65,000. It also offers a maximum range of 349 miles from a fully charged battery, with ultra-fast charging delivering up to 154 miles in just 15 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Mercedes EQB is covered by a three-year unlimited mileage warranty, although the battery is covered for 100,000 miles or up to eight years from the date of registration, whichever comes first.
