You’re not precisely spoilt for selection in case you’re searching for an electrical car with seven seats. We take a look at one of many few – the Mercedes-Benz EQB 350….
Primarily based on the conventionally powered GLB, the EQB is a premium SUV about the identical dimension as a BMW X3, Volvo XC60 or Lexus NX.
A good-looking but boxy sports activities utility car with a excessive roofline, brief overhangs and loads of glass, it’s priced from £55,310- £62,810.
Powered by two electrical motors related to a 66.5kWh battery, it’s out there in two specs – an EQB 300 or 350 – and three trim ranges (AMG Line, AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus).
The naming conference is a little bit complicated as a result of the EQB 300 places out 224bhp, whereas the 350 has 287bhp, however there you go.
Vary varies from a claimed 246 miles for the EQB 300 to 253 miles for the EQB 350. The latter has a 6.2-second 0-62mph time, whereas the much less highly effective model is a tad slower at eight seconds. Each include four-wheel drive as commonplace.
The EQB might be charged at speeds as much as 100kW (which is common lately), that means a 10-80% increase from a 100kW speedy charger takes as little as 32 minutes, whereas a 0-100% cost might be achieved in a single day by way of a house wallbox.
As you’d count on from a car sporting a three-pointed star, it’s a luxurious motor.
The driving place is comfy and the supportive seats in our take a look at automotive had been upholstered in black Artico man-made leather-based.
Rear passengers are additionally in for a deal with as a result of there’s ample leg and headroom.
We tried the third row, and although the pop-up seats formally can be utilized by individuals as much as 5ft 4 inches tall, it’s doable for six-footers to squeeze in for temporary journeys if the second row seats are pushed ahead a bit, however it’s a knees-up seating place.
With 5 seats in place, the EQB presents a beneficiant 465-litre capability. Flip down the second and third rows and also you’ll have an property car-like 1,710 litres to play with.
Up entrance, it’s just about the identical because the GLB, which is not any dangerous factor, although the design is beginning to look a little bit dated in these minimalist instances.
All fashions have Mercedes’ acquainted MBUX dual-screen infotainment system with 10-inch screens for the slick infotainment and driver’s shows. There are additionally three massive air vents and a row of bodily switches beneath for local weather management.
You’ll need to get used to the Mercedes-Benz quirk of the left-hand steering wheel stalk working each the indicator and wipers, back and front. The gear selector is one other stalk on the opposite facet.
Chosen features of the multimedia system might be operated contact-free by way of the MBUX Inside Assistant. Managed by way of voice, contact or optionally available gesture enter, the modern system can over time even predict private habits due to synthetic intelligence. As ever with these techniques, it’s not good, however enhancing with every iteration.
Adjustable heated entrance sports activities seats, automated local weather management, privateness glass, a reversing digicam, lane maintain help and velocity restrict help are just some of the intensive record of goodies and tech out there as commonplace on the EQB.
On the highway, our EQB 350 take a look at automotive was surprisingly quick off the road for a reasonably substantial car, and as you’d count on, the facility supply was easy.
Drive modes embody Eco, Consolation and Sport, plus you can even select between 5 ranges of brake regeneration (the intelligent Auto setting labored rather well).
Frankly, you’ll by no means have to stray from the Consolation setting as a result of Eco dulls the throttle response an excessive amount of and Sport makes it hyperactive, so it’s finest left for brief, energy-sapping blasts.
The EQB rides easily and handles its bulk effectively. Positive, there’s some physique lean in quicker corners, however it’s doable to have some enjoyable on this car, not like some SUVs. With progressive brakes, sharp steering and wonderful traction, it offers you the boldness to push on.
Composed and feeling nothing aside from effectively planted, the Mercedes-Benz EQB is a perfectly comfy cruiser.
All in all, the EQB is a little bit of a shock package deal, however there’s no getting away from the vary difficulty and its modest cost charge, particularly in case you want it for normal longer journeys. With a real-world vary nearer to 200 miles, extra adventurous journeys are going to wish a little bit of planning.
But when an EQB is used for shorter commutes, procuring journeys and college runs, it’s a fab EV – particularly in case you can cost at dwelling in a single day.
Its few three-row EV rivals embody the costly Tesla Mannequin X, the cheaper Peugeot e-Rifter, Citroen e-Berlingo and Vauxhall Combo-e Life, plus bigger van-based individuals carriers such because the Citroen e-SpaceTourer, Peugeot e-Traveller, Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life and Nissan e-NV200 Combi.
Verdict: Not solely is the Mercedes-Benz EQB one of many few pure electrical seven-seater SUVs available on the market, it’s additionally extra partaking to drive than you would possibly assume. Secure, spacious, refined, effectively constructed and filled with tech, it’s a category act.
