Mercedes EQB Review

​Practicality and boot space 

This is an SUV rather than a crossover in design, so it’s unashamedly boxy – to the benefit of practicality and squeezing a third row of seats into the boot. However, being based on an internal combustion engine model – the Mercedes-Benz GLB – it comes with a few packaging compromises compared to clean-sheet EVs. A big engine bay means that valuable front space is lost while the floors aren’t completely flat and are perhaps higher than is ideal for adults in the second row, never mind the third row. 

Indeed, if you’re planning to pop a couple of six-footers in the third row, think again. While we can’t fault the operation of the seats, which fold neatly away when not needed, even Mercedes suggests that they are only really suitable for passengers under 1.65 metres. Kids will be fine, but if you’re looking to carry teens or young adults on a regular basis, then the EQB probably isn’t the car for you. The middle bench can be slid back and forth by around 30cm to give those in the third row a bit more legroom, however, while the boot holds between 495 and 1,710 litres in the best case. If you do want a seven-seater that can comfortably carry adults in the third row then have a look at the (bigger and more expensive) Kia EV9, or there's always a used Tesla Model X. 

Interior

The EQB's classy interior is another big selling point. There are textured inserts, metal-finished rotary vents, leather (or leatherette) and alcantara all over the place... It's a posh place to be, and of course there's also a bevy of screens through which you control all of the car's functions. Everything feels well made and pleasant to the touch, so you'll definitely notice the difference between the EQB and rivals such as the Tesla Model Y, and even the Audi Q4 e-tron doesn't feel quite as plush inside. 

Dashboard

A fairly conventional dashboard layout will no doubt please a lot of buyers, as most of the switches and controls are relatively easy to find. We particularly like the row of physical switches that you use to control the cabin temperature - although you can also use voice control, if you prefer. What may be offputting is the new steering wheel that was introduced with the 2024 upgrades, which looks minimalist and lovely, but also features a lot of touch-sensitive switches. They're actually not the worst touch-sensitive steering wheel controls that we've used, and mostly they're easy to get used to. Even so, we managed to activate the speed limiter by accident on one occasion, after catching one of the buttons while manoeuvering, so we still favour simpler, 'proper' steering wheel buttons. 

Technology and equipment

There are high-def screens galore inside the EQB, including a huge configurable driver's readout behind the steering wheel, which is housed in the same upright, dashtop casing as the 10.25-inch touchscreen. Just about all functions are controlled via MBUX – the choice of voice or touchpad commands to do everything from switching radio station to adjusting the temperature of the climate control up or down, and the voice control will even work with natural phrases like ‘I’m a bit hot’ to crank up the air con. Just expect a few teething problems getting it to understand you if you’ve a regional twang or dialect, as many people in the UK surely do.  

However, in-built artificial intelligence is designed to learn your habits and so should make controlling things much easier after a few months of ownership, when the car’s brain has – somewhat spookily – learned how warm you typically like the cabin and what you listen to most. Let’s assume it won’t judge your music tastes outright. 

The infotainment system received some updates in 2024, but ultimately it's still much the same, with excellent graphics and all the features you want, if a slightly laggy screen response on occasion. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is in-built nav with charger search function. The EQB also gets adaptive brake regen' as standard, which senses and responds to changes in the speed limit and upcoming junctions, as well as to traffic in front. It takes time to get used to the sense that the car is intervening when, sometimes, you don't expect it to, but with time and familiarity you do learn to trust the system.

Entry-level Sport Executive is only available with the 250+ powertrain, and gets 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, heated front seats, reversing camera, leatherette upholstery and 64-way ambient interior lighting. AMG Line Executive adds mostly style upgrades including 19-inch alloy wheels and sports seats, plus the option of any powertrain in the range. AMG Line Premium gets (you guessed it...) 20-inch alloy wheels, plus keyless entry, wireless phone charging and a 360-degree parking camera, among other style tweaks. Finally, AMG Line Premium Plus is the only version to get a panoramic glass roof - and you can't add it as an option to other models, which we find really frustrating.   

Safety 

The Mercedes-Benz EQB gets the full five stars from Euro NCAP, and it scores especially well for adult and child occupant protection, with respective scores of 95 and 91 per cent. It's great that you get blind-spot assist and as standard (an option on some rivals), not to mention lane-keep assist, autonomous emergency braking, very bright LED lights, and a suite of airbags including a driver's knee airbag. and  loses a few points for the lane keep functions of its safety assist systems, and it’s perhaps a minor shame that some of these only come as part of an optional, £1,495 ‘Driving Assistance Package’ which groups together active cruise control, blind-spot assist, steering assist and active lane keeping. It’s a small cost on top of a reasonably pricey car, but that perhaps makes it more disappointing that Mercedes didn’t throw it all into the deal in the first place. 

What is really annoying is that you have to add the Driving Assistance Pack, at £1495, to get adaptive cruise control and the semi-autonomous drive assist systems that many rivals (the Tesla Model Y, Kia EV9 and Volvo XC90 PHEV included - have as standard. On a car of the EQB's price and prestige, this stuff should really be standard.