The EQB is a larger, more capable version of the EQA that Mercedes-Benz introduced just months ago. Today's full reveal was made at the 2021 IAA Mobility in Germany. The company will begin building the EQA in Hungary this month and China in 2022. It will also start selling the SUV in America.
Mercedes-Benz unveiled the EQB along with a few new electric vehicles it is adding to its fleet. The EQE sedan is a smaller version of the EQS executive electric. Mercedes-Benz also introduced Maybach and AMG versions of the EQS. Mercedes-Benz has already introduced a concept version the so-called EQG, but there is no electric version yet.
Mercedes is the second compact electric SUV after the EQA
The EQB was first shown by Mercedes-Benz at the Auto Shanghai Show in April. However, the company used Sunday's reveal to go deeper into details and outline its future plans for the compact SUV. The EQB is Mercedes-Benz's second attempt to launch an electric SUV in America, following the cancellation of plans to bring the EQC here earlier this year.
The EQB's broad strokes are identical to what we heard in April. The all-wheel-drive EQB can seat five people, and an optional third row can make it a seven-seater. The third-row seats will not be very accommodating as Mercedes-Benz states they are only suitable for children or those who are less than 5'4" tall. The EQB should also be able to travel approximately 419 km (roughly 260 miles), based on the European WLTP standards. This means that the EPA estimate range will likely be lower.
Grid View Daimler AG
Daimler AG
Daimler AG
Daimler AG
Daimler AG
Daimler AG
Daimler AG
Daimler AG
Daimler AG
Daimler AG
Daimler AG
Daimler AG
It's easy to see that the EQC was a compromise between interior space and range. Mercedes-Benz decided not to bring the vehicle to the US. Although the EQB offers a little more, it may still be difficult to sell in a market that is still a bit skeptical about electric cars.
The EQB will be available in more US markets, and could also find success elsewhere in the world. Mercedes-Benz announced Sunday that it will offer two versions of its SUV: one with 225 horsepower and another with 288 horsepower. They are referred to as the EQB 300 and EQB 350, respectively. Mercedes-Benz states that a front-wheel-drive version and a longer-range version will be available at a later time.
The US can be a great place for small- and mid-sized electric SUVs. Just look at the Tesla Model Y. It has already outperformed its sedan counterpart, Model 3. Ford's Mustang Mach-E was a success, and the new Chevy Bolts did well before the company's huge recall. Higher-end imports, such as Audis E-Tron which require some compromises on range, have not had the same solid footing.
Mercedes-Benz will build electric SUVs using the platform it created for the EQS, just like the EQE. Those ground-up EVs require less compromise. The EQB will determine if Mercedes-Benz can capture some market share until then, assuming it launches on time.
