Mercedes' full-electric EQB, with 7-seat option, joins premium compact segment

Mercedes-Benz has released full details on the EQB, a full-electric compact SUV with an option for seven seats that will be launched in Europe early next year.

The EQB – essentially a battery-powered of the combustion-engine GLB -- was unveiled at the Shanghai auto show in April. It is part of Mercedes’ EQ full-electric range, which also includes a sibling model, the EQA compact crossover; the EQS luxury sedan (launched this year), the EQE large sedan and the EQC midsize sedan.

Mercedes has not released prices for the EQB. The GLB starts at about 40,000 euros ($46,000) in Germany, with the top AMG four-wheel-drive model at 57,000 euros.

The EQB comes standard with five seats, with an optional third row that is intended for smaller passengers, up to 1.65 meters, Mercedes says. The second row can also move forward by up to 140 mm to give more space for third-row passengers.

Mercedes says the seven-seat option will give the EQB an edge among compact SUVs. The GLB also has an optional third row.

Even if most GLB buyers rarely use the third row, "seven seats are something really special in this class,: Marius Philipp, compact car product manager at Mercedes, said in a news release Monday.

Potential competitors include the Volvo XC40 Recharge, the Audi Q4 e-tron, the Genesis GV60 and even the Volkswagen ID4. BMW is planning to launch the iX1, a version of the X1, next year, according to reports.

The EQB features different front and rear styling from the GLB. With no exhaust pipe, the rear fascia is slimmer and incorporates the license plate, which is just below the rear window on the GLB. It has a full-width light bar rather than separate tail lights. 

The front end is more aerodynamic and integrates headlights and grille into a single unit, and lower air scoops are larger than on the GLB. The wheels are also more aerodynamic.

Differences in the interior are minimal, with several new materials choices including rose gold trim on the air vents.

There will be two models, both with four-wheel drive, offered at first: The EQB 300 4MATIC, with an output of 168 kilowatts; and the EQB 350 4MATIC, with 215 kW. The main drive motor is in the front, with electric axles powering the rear wheels when needed. 

The EBQ 300 goes from 0-100 kph (62 mph) in 8 seconds, while the EQB 350 takes 6.2 seconds to reach 100 kph. Mercedes says range on the WLTP cycle is 419 km (260 miles) for both models. 

Both have a 66.5 kilowatt-hour battery, with longer-range models planned. Charging time from 10 percent to 80 percent at a 100 kW station is 32 minutes, Mercedes says.

Future choices will include front-wheel drive models.

There are four energy-recuperation modes, which can be controlled by paddles on the steering wheel. In addition a built-in “driving coach” called ECO Assist gives cues to help increase range.

Mercedes is offering buyers a free year of charging at stations in the Mercedes Me network, which includes 250,000 public stations in Europe.

The EQB is the first full-electric vehicle to be built at Mercedes’ factory in Kecskemet, Hungary, following an investment of more than 100 million euros there.

 It will also be built in Beijing for the Chinese market.