Test – Mercedes EQB 350 4Matic: driving at 7 in electric, it’s possible

Mercedes completes its EQ electric range with a practical and family-oriented SUV, in a seven-seater market that only Tesla previously occupied.

The automotive industry’s job is usually to solve often difficult equations. And driving 7 comfortably in a passenger car (excluding minibus format and other vans, vans, MPVs) is one of them. Already, the thermal or hybrid offer is relatively limited at this level in Europe, apart from a few machines in the Volkswagen, Toyota, Ford or Stellantis group. And in terms of electricity, in other words, we are probably on the smallest market in the world.

The essential Tesla had its solution. Its large Model X SUV had the 7-seater option, essential in particular on the American market where this offer is a kind of obligatory passage for whoever wants to sell cars with a truly family vocation. Unfortunately the option is no longer available on the French market for this model. It is therefore necessary to fall back on the Model Y, more recent but smaller and as much to say that with its compact SUV coupe architecture, these last 2 places are really very symbolic and difficult to use.

The highlight: a real electric family SUV

Mercedes has therefore decided to add an alternative to its electric range, namely an electric version of its GLB family SUV. Applying the successful recipe for converting the GLA into EQA, Mercedes has therefore simply converted its GLB to electric, which becomes the EQB. The latter uses strictly the same platform and interior layout as the thermal version, without any loss of space. And the GLB being a 7-seater machine, they are also found on the electric version, thus offering the only alternative to Tesla at this level.

We find a rather particular format, with a beltline not necessarily very high, but overhung by a raised cabin, offering a lot of headroom and light with large glass surfaces, including a large sunroof. The whole gives a pure SUV, very square in shape, not succumbing to the fashion of the coupe to retain all its practical aspects. We just notice the grille typical of Mercedes’ EQ electric range, full, lacquered and profiled for a little more aerodynamics. In the end, we have a machine that somewhat evokes the Volkswagen Tiguan, which remains a benchmark among family-oriented SUVs.

Convincing practicality and modularity

And it is inside the EQB that we realize it. Even if this AMG Line version is treated with a sporty appearance (alcantara seat, shiny console with very neat materials, similar to that of the Class A models, clear and not intrusive digital instrumentation), the interior of the machine is marked by a concern for practicality and modularity.

Large, enveloping driver and front passenger seats, a wide rear bench seat (row 2), on a flat floor, with a slightly firm but comfortable seat, and above all adjustable in many ways: split into 3/3 individually or in full, forward-rear sliding with a fairly wide clearance, folding in two. All with real attention to detail in terms of practicality, which means that you never lose the seat belts or their attachments between 2 seats, that you can rearrange everything and put it back in its place easily, with safe and well thought out. A really satisfying detail, while this kind of manipulation is sometimes difficult on other brands.

Finally, the trunk is large at 495 liters, and 1710 once the row 2 seat is folded down. A truly convincing loading surface, and a set that combines the qualities of modularity of the best minivans of the 90s/2000s with an SUV architecture.

Really usable seats 6 and 7

And then there is the bonus gift: the famous 2 rear seats. They form the floor of the trunk and can be raised with ease. But above all, they are accessible and a minimum of comfortable. Of course, you should not exceed 1.75 meters, accept to travel with your knees slightly raised and see the trunk reduced to a simple glove box. But these 2 additional places are far from being only extra stooges.

You can travel there serenely, admittedly a little cramped in the trunk compartment, but without being bent in half. A small miracle made possible by the high and square structure of the trunk. A real feat – note that getting out of it is not particularly easy all the same.

Make way for driving sensations. And from the outset, we are struck by a particularly remarkable ride comfort, undoubtedly superior to that of the compact EQA, and equaling that of the EQE sedan. A real very impressive magic carpet, coupled with an exemplary operating silence, even at the level of rolling noise. Even if it is heavy (2.17 tons), the EQB 350 moves with dynamism and rigor, as well as exceptional road holding.

In the bowels of the machine, a very capable powertrain, consisting of 2 electric motors (one on each axle), a 70.5 kWh battery and all-wheel drive. The cumulative power is 292 horsepower, and if you engage the sport mode, this big leggy cube manages to snatch the 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. Very impressive but not very useful on this type of machine damped in a very flexible way, where we will especially benefit from the enormous torque of 520 Nm.

The black point: consumption that can skyrocket

A rather pretty machine, very well laid out, modular, roomy and capable. It looks like a no-fault, except when we start talking about consumption. Given for 409 kilometers of autonomy and even 480 in strictly urban driving, the EQB 350 is rather greedy in use. Only a switch to strictly eco driving mode, air conditioning off, light foot, maximum energy regeneration and alone on board or with a passenger guarantee you a chance of achieving this performance.

In this configuration, your average consumption will only be 17 or 18 kWh per 100 kilometers. But add the air conditioning, two more passengers, or adopt the “normal” or “sport” modes, and consumption will skyrocket, to 30 or 40. And if you drive at 7 (one of the reasons for this model!) and on the highway, there it goes without saying that your autonomy will be reduced by at least half.

The EQB 350 makes up for it with relatively short recharging times for this type of machine: 17 hours on a simple 220v socket at 3.7kW, 8h30 with type 2 single-phase at 7.4kW (as on most terminals public charging stations), 5h30 with a type 2 charging station at 22kW three-phase and between 30 and 40 minutes on a high-power 100kW terminal of the Ionity type.

But at what cost? A good deal

In addition, the EQB is a good choice in terms of value for money for this type of vehicle, at 59,200 euros base price in the 250 single-motor version, and 64,650 euros for the 350 twin-motor version. Rates year after year equivalent to those of the Tesla Y, the only alternative to driving all-electric at 7.

The Mercedes wins hands down the challenge of comfort, perceived quality and modularity, not to mention its brand image. The EQB will benefit from its status as the only challenger to Tesla in this segment for a long time to come, with the competition, especially that of Volkswagen, taking its time.

A 7-seater ID6 SUV exists, for the moment only reserved for the Chinese market. But very clearly this format collides with the laws of physics and will require a clever energy management to prove to be really effective and practical.