Mercedes-Benz EQB Singapore Review - EQB350 4MATIC AMG Line 7 Seater (A)

The Mercedes-EQ EQB or Mercedes-Benz EQB is the all electric version of the hugely popular Mercedes-Benz GLB, now available in Singapore in the EQB350 and EQB250 variants, with the former being available in AMG line trim and all wheel drive. As the other entry level electric vehicle in the Mercedes lineup beside the Mercedes-Benz EQA, the EQB sits below the EQC, the newly launched EQE, and the flagship EQS. In line with the styling language of the Mercedes-EQ range, the EQB features the signature continuous light bars on the front and the back. The EQB is also a 7 seater SUV, featuring 3 rows of seats.

The Mercedes-Benz GLB proved to be an immensely popular car in Singapore. It provided consumers with a sporty and active SUV style, 7-seat family practicality, and perhaps most importantly in Singapore, the lux factor of a premium luxury badge. Despite the GLB being already hugely popular, the EQB electric, which is based off the existing GLB, seems set to draw in a refreshed crowd of buyers - with a refined electric drivetrain now added to the list of things that people can love about the GLB / EQB. In ways, the EQB retains the best bits of the GLB, while layering on the added appeal of electric power, and with it, an additional layer of luxury.

With the all electric drivetrain comes a few key design cues that are taken from the rest of the Mercedes-EQ family and help the car take on its futuristic and modern appeal. For starters, the EQB receives the full length front and rear continuous light strip that dominates the front and rear fascias. The EQB also receives a blanked out front grille - seemingly a point of parity for all electric cars and a way of distinguishing its electric underpinnings. Overall, the EQB looks smart and sharp, and possesses an air of sophistication that the GLB seemed to lack. On the flip side though, the EQB does feel more demure and less rugged.

As the EQB isn’t considered a ground-up EV like its EQS and EQE siblings, much of its structural features are similar / identical to the petrol powered GLB on which it is based. As a result, you don’t get the latest MBUX systems on board, and that also means that wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is not available in this car. If you generally aren’t fussed about these things and only require Bluetooth audio, then all is good - But if like me, you think that such features should already be standard in a luxury SUV, then you might find it a little bit difficult to overlook this shortcoming. Still, when judging the cabin of the EQB holistically, it is a clear step up from mid tier options like a Volkswagen Tiguan, with a discerning choice of materials that create an extremely youthful and modern environment that feels more dynamic and rugged.

As the EQB isn’t a full sized 7-seater SUV in the same way that an Audi Q7 is, 7-seater seating does come at the expense of boot space, which is essentially non-existent with all 7-seats up, but is still be adequate for most standard supermarket runs. In 5 seater mode however, you get a competitively sized 465 litre boot, along with a spacious 2nd row with a very good amount of legroom and headroom for passengers. However, it is important to note that due to the EQB’s floor-located battery packs, the cabin floor though flat, feels a little bit elevated. Coupled with the fact that the rear bench is also smaller-than-usual, taller passengers may find themselves sitting in something of a foetal-like position - which can be a tad uncomfortable over longer distances up North. Children or pre-schoolers with boosters will love the seating though, as the height is perfect for them to climb on and off the bench. As an SUV, the EQB also sits at a very comfortable height for loading the younger ones into their car seats.

On the road, the EQB350 delivers crisp and accessible power through its 66.5 kWh setup, producing 288 bhp and 520 Nm of torque, covering 0-100 km/h in just 6.2 seconds. While acceleration does taper off the more you accelerate - as with most electric cars, the full force of 520 Nm is instantly felt from the moment you put your foot down. For reference, torque figures in this vicinity are similar to what you would feel from a supercar like the Audi R8 for example, which packs 550 Nm of torque from its petrol powered V10.

When you're not thrill seeking, the EQB is a planted and comfortable family vehicle at the heart of things, and delivers a plush and assured ride even when riding on its 20 inch wheels. Combine these characteristics with a pleasant seating position and good all round visibility, the EQB is an electric vehicle that is just as well suited to city driving as it is to the highway, and as such, will offer little surprises to owners so long as they don't try to chuck it too quickly into a corner.

Overall, the EQB is a good starting point for consumers looking to get a family friendly electric vehicle, but aren't ready to drop a small fortune on other more premium flagship EV models like the Audi e-Tron S Sportback, BMW IX, or even the Mercedes-Benz EQC. Alongside the EQA, the EQB is one of the more accessible luxury EVs to be offered among continental marquee brands at the moment, and should prove to be popular with younger, more discerning owners who have an appreciation for the finer things in life, but are perhaps still at the stage where they need to be a little more conservative in their spending. The style, stature, and demeanour of the EQB will also conveniently appeal to consumers with a more active lifestyle and have an awareness toward sustainability.