Upcoming Mercedes-Benz EQB is the Replacement For the Canceled EQC

author: Vineeth Joel Patel   

Mercedes-Benz was supposed to have an electric SUV on sale in the U.S. by now. Originally, the luxurious EQC was expected to go on sale in early 2020, but then was delayed to 2021. Unfortunately, in February 2021, Mercedes pulled the plug on the electric vehicle for an undisclosed reason. The decision meant that the 2022 EQS, the brand's flagship sedan, would become its first all-electric offering in the country. While that's still the case, Mercedes announced that an all-electric SUV would come out by 2022 and it will be called the EQB.


Seven-Passenger EQB Coming


The all-electric EQB that made its debut in China recently, is based on the subcompact GLB-Class that Mercedes currently sells in the U.S. Just like its gas-powered counterpart, the electric EQB will offer three rows of available seating. It's expected to arrive in 2023 as a 2022 model shortly after the 2022 EQS.


As far as range goes, the EQB will be down compared to its competitors as the standard 66.5-kWh battery pack is rated at roughly 260 miles on the European WLTP cycle. That test tends to bring more lenient figures than the EPA's testing. Mercedes claimed that a long-range version of the EQB is in the cards, but didn't provide any information on battery capacity or range for that model.


China will be getting the EQB first in an all-wheel-drive configuration, a two-motor layout, and a combined rating of 288 horsepower. The electric SUV will go on sale in Europe shortly after with both EQB350 4Matic and EQB250 trims. The former produces 268 horsepower and comes with all-wheel drive, while the latter has 221 horsepower and front-wheel drive. A mid-level, long-range version is also in the cards.


Can You Spot The Changes?


Mercedes has chosen to take a more conventional approach to the EQB's design. From the outside, the EQB and GLB look nearly identical. The EQB's black grille and swept-back headlights are major differentiators. The taillights are connected via an LED strip. Other than those design elements, the two SUVs are incredibly similar. It's the same thing on the inside. The EQB uses different gauge displays in the instrument cluster, but retains the GLB's overall design.


When the GLB goes on sale in the U.S., it will compete with the Audi e-tron, Jaguar I-Pace, and Tesla Model Y. Unfortunately, a range of 260 miles on the WLTP cycle would put it behind the competition when it comes to range, but with seating for up to seven, a subdued design, and an upscale cabin, the EQB has plenty of other strengths that it brings to the table.

Vineeth Joel Patel

Joel Patel has been covering all aspects of the automotive industry for four years as an editor and freelance writer for various websites. When it comes to cars, he enjoys covering the merger between technology and cars. In his spare time, Joel likes to watch baseball, work on his car, and try new foods