Mercedes EQB evaluation: A slick seven-seat EV

Anybody eager to have an all-electric SUV with seven seats goes to like the Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 4MATIC AMG Line Premium. Not solely does this chunky five-door EV have a lot to supply anybody with children, the automotive we have been driving lately comes armed with sufficient premium touches to make it much more interesting. Contemplating it is a mannequin that has loads of added extras, the worth tag of £56,040 is aggressive.

After all, not everybody wants a seven seater, however there are many households on the market who will discover it an ideal different to different like-minded SUVs in the marketplace. Whereas the Tesla Model Y is dear, the Audi Q4 e-tron, BMW iX3 or Volvo XC 40 Recharge are three comparable SUVs that give the EQB 300 a run for its cash, although the convenience through which the EQB 300 can deal with a number of occupants provides it the sting within the seating stakes.

A premium end

The Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 relies on the sizeable GLB, which MB has historically provided in petrol or diesel variants. So the all-electric side provides loads of attraction should you just like the automotive in precept, however need to go down the EV route. The mannequin you see right here additionally comes with the AMG Line Premium trim degree, which elevates it to premium standing, even when the outside seems aren’t fairly as dazzling as they may very well be.

The Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 would not precisely dazzle in its most elementary stance, with the identical core GLB look that makes it a bit of bit nameless to have a look at. Nevertheless, should you purpose for the 4MATIC AMG Line Premium mannequin there’s a bit of extra zestiness within the trim division that lifts it a bit of. That is particularly so with the Premium version, with our automotive that includes 19-inch AMG 5 twin-spoke alloy wheels complimented by Denim blue metallic paint. You get 18-inch rims on the usual version.

Though the Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 is chunky, the general impact is subtle considerably by the best way all of the sharp edges have been rounded off. The result’s a barely bulbous really feel from some angles, however the entrance and rear ends are jazzed up a bit due to black and chrome trim thrives. The wraparound taillights work notably effectively. Raise that computerized tailgate by the best way and also you get to understand the expansive view down throughout all these seats.

A fantastic place to be

When you’re feeling a bit of underwhelmed by the workman-like really feel of the outside, issues tick up a notch on the within. The cabin of the EQB 300 4MATIC AMG Line Premium is a superb place to be, particularly should you’re within the entrance row with actually properly completed suede-like seat coverings holding you firmly in place on the transfer. The one slight concern should you’ve received babies and even messy adults to take care of, is how effectively the stunning end will fare over time. Youngsters snacks and drinks can take a nasty toll on premium interiors.

Working your means again via the automotive, the second row of seats are chunky, simply as comfy and there is a beefy fold-down armrest with cupholders out there if you do not have a full home. In the meantime, should you’re planning on filling each seat in the home, the 2 remaining seats within the third and remaining row will be folded up from beneath the ground of the boot. Earlier than doing this the boot area is first rate sufficient, however two packs of charging cables do have a tendency to interrupt up the move a bit.

Fold up these seats although and your boot area is compromised. Plus, the cables do not actually match anyplace else both, with no room out there beneath the bonnet in comparison with some EVs with a usable frunk area. However, with a bit of little bit of creativeness it’s doable to get seven into the EQB 300 in addition to baggage and baggage, although you would possibly must be a bit of bit artistic. The nice factor is there are beefy door mirrors and a reversing digicam in case your view out the again is compromised by suitcases, smooth toys or no matter.

Properly-executed tech

One of the spectacular facets of the Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 4MATIC AMG Line Premium is the extent of tech on provide. There’s nothing wildly revolutionary sitting there in entrance of you on that spectacular dashboard format, however the execution makes it a very satisfying expertise.

Central to the motion is the mix of two 10-inch screens, with one sitting in entrance of the steering wheel and the opposite sitting immediately subsequent to it in the course of the sprint. There is a observe pad in entrance of the faux shifter too, which works for choosing via the touchscreen menus okay should you’re not driving. Utilizing it on the transfer is extra of a no-no although.

You’ll additionally need to discover the delights of the 64-colour ambient lighting system. The default blue is an actual deal with on the eyes, however dip into the settings contained in the touchscreen menu and there are a lot of different choices. The general impact is absolutely calming and nice for soothing pressured and drained eyes on an overlong tour. The best way the sunshine comes out from across the array of round air vents is nifty and that is repeated alongside the door panels too. It is a fantastic success.

Naturally, there’s all the pieces you want every day, together with digital radio, dwell visitors navigation (which is free for the primary three years) and the MBUX multimedia system covers all bases. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto characteristic, as does wi-fi cellphone charging. One of many different actually nice surprises about our automotive was the so-called Superior Sound System. Thanks to 10 audio system and 225 watts of energy it was a spotlight throughout a protracted drive out into the sticks, the place cranking it up meant you might achieve this with out concern of being labeled an consideration seeker.

A breeze to drive

The Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 4MATIC AMG Line Premium would possibly look a bit of intimidating should you’re shifting as much as an SUV for the primary time, but it surely’s truly a breeze to drive. An enormous a part of that is right down to the commanding driving place you get, with a very good vantage level provided by the four-way adjustable seat. The adjustable steering column proves helpful too, particularly should you discover that the wheel obscures your view of the sat nav a bit of, which occurred for us.

Press the ability button and you have to wait the customary few seconds for the system to start out up after which it is a case of choosing your most well-liked drive mode. This could catch you out, due primarily to the chunky shifter-like creation that sits on what would usually be the transmission tunnel. It would not do something aside from being one thing to relaxation your hand on. Considered one of 4 drive choices; Max Vary, Eco, Consolation and Sport are all accessed utilizing a shifter on the suitable aspect of the steering column. You may additionally discover silver ‘+’ and ‘-‘ paddles in entrance of the steering wheel too, which can be utilized to regulate the extent of regeneration from the brakes.

On a regular basis driving duties are finest carried out in Consolation mode, which is a no-fuss, no-frills expertise that wafts you down the highway very properly certainly. After getting acquainted with the EQB 300 we discovered that Sport supplied a bit of extra curiosity on the efficiency entrance. As you’d count on, this makes the dual-motor setup powered by a 66.5kWh battery carry off rapidly on the lights, so it is helpful. Vary does undergo although, so we discovered it was finest used sparingly on longer treks. High pace is 99mph and you will get from 0-60mph in 7.7 seconds due to the 370Nm metres of accessible torque.

For a high-and-hefty 2,105kg SUV, the EQB 300 seems to be an ready performer within the turns, with suspension that copes effectively on quite a lot of surfaces. It does are likely to bounce and jostle you a bit of on unpredictable roads, however the impact is balanced out due to the degrees of consolation provided by these scrumptious seats. Little ones located in row three may not be of the identical opinion, nevertheless.

Mercedes-Benz reckons you will get anyplace between 250 and 257 miles (WLTP) from the EQB 300 however our automotive, fitted with the 66.5kWh battery returned about 200 miles tops on common. A ten per cent to 80 per cent cost on a 110kW charger takes simply over half an hour. When you’re round city loads that is greater than ample, whereas the chunky SUV can be nice on lengthy runs simply so long as you retain that 200-mile ballpark determine at the back of your head. It’s okay actually.

Verdict

The Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 4MATIC AMG Line Premium might be of particular curiosity if area for individuals – or quite, children, is your predominant precedence. This high-riding SUV has doorways that open broadly, 5 comfy full-sized seats that make it nice for fully-grown adults too. Nevertheless, the actual bonus is a 3rd row of fold up seats which are finest suited to smaller occupants, though Mercedes-Benz reckons anybody as much as 5′ 4″ can match into the again row.

Whereas it could be considered by some as simply being a rehashed, all-electric version of the quite humdrum GLB, which it’s based mostly on, the 4MATIC AMG Line Premium mannequin boasts a greater inside and throws in some bling in addition. There’s a real-world battery vary of round 200 miles whereas the EQB 300 drives and handles impressively given its bulk and will get everybody from A to B in fashion. The truth is, one of the best bit in regards to the 4MATIC AMG Line Premium is the inside with a cabin that may be a pleasure to expertise on a future.

You’ll must pay a further £3,000 to get the automotive you see earlier than you, which provides in all the advantages of the AMG Line Premium trim bundle, together with an electrically operated panoramic sunroof, Keyless-Go and Superior Sound System. It additionally lifts this SUV up a bit of, which is required as the outside is not fairly as thrilling because it may very well be. After all, if you are able to do with out all of the trimmings then ditch the frills and select a mannequin with a extra lowly specification – it will not change the truth that on the subject of carrying a number of individuals, and comfortably, the EQB 300 is a tough act to observe.