Overview

Electric cars with seven seats are few and far between. Most on the market come in the shape of rather old-school MPVs, which is what makes the decidedly SUV-shaped Mercedes-Benz EQB such an interesting proposition. If you’re looking to buy one, the good news is that it gets a larger battery, longer range and some tech updates for 2024.

It’s essentially an electric version of the petrol or diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz GLB, with a battery and electric motor in place of an engine and fuel tank. We think very highly of the GLB at Parkers – it’s a former winner of our Best medium family car award – so its EV sibling is a very interesting car indeed.

Its closest rival is the Kia EV9, another seven-seater electric SUV, but one that’s more expensive. Other (five-seater) electric SUVs you might consider are the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Volkswagen ID.4. That the EQB is a seven seater makes it a bit more family friendly than every one of those and we really rate it for its practicality. The boot is flexible, the second row can house tall adults and there are good cubbyholes up front.

Other electric seven-seaters include the much more expensive Tesla Model X SUV, or the Peugeot e-Rifter and Mercedes-Benz EQV van-based MPVs. The EQB neatly straddles the two, being more affordable than a Model X but more desirable than something that looks like a van.

You get three power options badged 250+, 300 4Matic and 350 4Matic, but only one battery size, which is a generous 70.5kWh. Claimed official electric range is up to 321 miles for the 250, up from the 242-253 miles offered by the 300 and 350, or around 275 miles in real-world driving.

The EQB is offered in Sport Executive, AMG Line Executive, AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus specifications. This latest version is a very light update over the older model, most easily identified by new graphics on the front-end panel between the headlights, and the latest version of Mercedes’ excellent MBUX infotainment system.

Over the next few pages we’ll be thoroughly reviewing all aspects of the updated Mercedes-Benz EQB and rating them in our verdict. Our scores will take into account the driving experience, how pleasant the interior is, the practicality on offer and how much it’ll cost you to run.