Mercedes-Benz EQB Review

In recent years, the pure electric SUV market in Malaysia has gradually become a popular choice for family users and urban commuters. Especially in the price range of 300,000 to 400,000 MYR, consumers' demand for a "sense of luxury" and "practicality" has significantly increased. As the brand's contender in this segment, the Mercedes-Benz EQB, with its premium "Three-Pointed Star" brand value, 7-seat layout (although the test drive model this time is a 5-seater, the manufacturer offers a 7-seat option), and Mercedes' iconic smart features, has always been considered by many consumers. This time, we got hold of the 2022 EQB test drive model, with the main goal of verifying its actual performance in daily commuting and family travel scenarios, as well as whether its pure electric system meets the range needs of Malaysian users.

In terms of appearance, the EQB continues the family design of the Mercedes EQ series, with an overall style leaning towards stability but with details imbued with a futuristic touch. The front features a closed grille with an illuminated Three-Pointed Star logo in the center, giving it high recognizability. The LED headlights on both sides have a smoked finish and, when lit, the daytime running lights show a "one-line" shape, echoing the connected light strip on the grille, creating a striking effect at night. The side profile of the car showcases straight lines, with a waistline extending from the front to the rear. The 19-inch multi-spoke rims paired with low rolling resistance tires ensure visual harmony and optimize range. At the rear, the smoked tail lights also feature a connected design, echoing the front. The rear bumper lacks traditional exhaust pipes, which are replaced with a silver decorative strip to enhance the sense of refinement. Overall, the exterior of the EQB combines the stability of Mercedes gasoline cars with the electric car identity through elements like the closed grille and connected light strips, aligning with most family users' preference for "understated luxury."

Sitting inside, the interior of the EQB shares many similarities with the Mercedes GLB but incorporates some electric vehicle-specific adjustments in the details. The dashboard is made of soft-touch materials and metal trim, providing a pleasant tactile experience. The 10.25-inch dual screen is a signature Mercedes design. The fully digital instrument cluster on the left can display EV-specific information such as range and power, while the center display on the right is equipped with the MBUX smart system, supporting voice control, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The operational smoothness and responsiveness align with luxury brand standards. The air conditioning control area retains physical buttons, with the knobs and buttons offering a finely tuned resistance, making them convenient for blind operation. The gear shifter is replaced with the EQ series-exclusive column shifter, saving space below the center console. This area is equipped with a wireless charging pad and two Type-C ports, offering maximum practicality. The seats are wrapped in genuine leather, with the front seats supporting electric adjustments and lumbar support. They have soft padding but offer sufficient support, ensuring long drives are not tiring. The legroom in the rear seats ranks above average among same-class electric SUVs; for a 175cm tall passenger, there is still a two-fist distance between the knees and the front seat, with a one-fist distance for headroom. Additionally, the central floor is almost flat, ensuring comfort for the middle passenger. For storage, the trunk provides a standard capacity of 495 liters, which can be expanded up to 1,710 liters when the rear seats are folded down, making it sufficient for strollers, suitcases, and other items. It fully meets the storage needs of family travel.

In terms of power, the EQB 250 model tested this time is equipped with a front single motor with a maximum power of 140kW, a maximum torque of 385N·m, paired with a fixed gear ratio transmission, and has an NEDC range of 423 kilometers. During actual driving, the power response at the start is very direct, and even a light touch on the accelerator pedal gives a significant push-back feeling. Acceleration from 0-60km/h takes about 4 seconds, making overtaking and lane-changing on city roads easy. In ECO mode, the power output becomes smoother, making it suitable for daily commuting; in SPORT mode, the throttle sensitivity increases and acceleration becomes more aggressive, but considering the range, it's not used frequently for daily driving. The chassis adopts a front MacPherson and rear multi-link independent suspension with tuning leaning toward comfort. When going over speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension filters out most bumps, so passengers inside the car do not feel too shaken. During high-speed cornering, the body roll is well-controlled, and with the battery pack arranged on the chassis of the electric car, the center of gravity is relatively low, leading to overall great stability. The steering system has minimal slack, and the steering precision matches Mercedes-Benz's calibration style. At low speeds, the steering wheel is very light, making parking and reversing convenient. At high speeds, it becomes heavier, increasing the sense of safety.

As for range and recharging, we conducted an actual test: while driving 100 kilometers in city conditions (half congested and half smooth), the average power consumption was 18.5kWh/100km. Based on the 53.5kWh battery capacity, the actual range is approximately 289 kilometers (if entirely driven in city conditions, the range achievement rate is about 68%); on highways (cruising at 110km/h) driving 100 kilometers, the average power consumption was 22kWh/100km, with an actual range of around 243 kilometers, resulting in a range achievement rate of about 57%. Regarding charging, using a DC fast charger to charge from 10% to 80% requires 45 minutes, while using a household AC slow charger (7kW) takes 7.5 hours for a full charge, matching the level of other models in the same class of electric vehicles. Noise control performs well, and at speeds below 60km/h, external noise is almost inaudible. At 110km/h on the highway, wind and tire noise slightly intrude but do not affect conversation inside the car. Overall, the noise insulation meets the standards of a luxury brand. There are three adjustable levels for energy recovery. At the highest level, releasing the accelerator creates a noticeable drag effect, similar to braking in a fuel car, while at the lowest level, the drag effect is very weak, making it more suitable for drivers accustomed to fuel cars.

In summary, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB has notable core advantages: First, brand value – the three-pointed star emblem is highly recognized in the Malaysian market, meeting users' demand for luxury. Second, practicality – the 5-seater (optional 7-seater) configuration, spacious rear row, and trunk fully cater to family outings. Third, advanced intelligent features – the MBUX system and dual-link screens rank among the top tier in the same class. Compared to competitors in the same class like the BMW iX1 and Audi Q4 e-tron, the EQB's price (RM 328,888) is slightly higher, but its brand influence and interior luxury are more prominent; compared to electric SUVs from non-luxury brands (such as the BYD Atto 3 Extended Range version), the EQB is about 100,000 MYR pricier but excels in brand, craftsmanship, and features.

In summary, the EQB is a "well-balanced without weaknesses" luxury all-electric SUV, suitable for families with a budget of 300,000 to 400,000 Malaysian Ringgit who value brand strength and practicality—such as young parents needing to travel with kids, or urban commuters seeking understated luxury. It doesn't feature particularly aggressive performance or ultra-long battery range, but it strikes a great balance between brand, space, features, and driving experience, fully meeting the daily needs of Malaysian users. If you are looking for an all-electric SUV that is "both prestigious and practical," the EQB is worth considering on your shortlist.