2024 Mercedes-Benz EQB Review: More Standard Features, Better Looks

The Mercedes-Benz EQB is the small, battery-electric version of the GLS three-row SUV. For all its hereditary looks, the model has struggled to find an audience in the U.S. where its sales are down 67 percent this year.

New vehicle shopping interest in the EQB has dipped, J.D. Power's analysts say, which has lead to its lower retail share in 2024. The car's affordability has come under scrutiny as other electric vehicles, like the Mustang Mach-E, have had their prices lowered in recent months.

J.D. Power's Vice President of electric vehicle practice, Elizabeth Krear, notes, however, that the three-year cost of ownership to lease an EQB has been trending less than a Mustang Mach-E.

A serious refresh of the model for the 2024 model year looks to upend the trend of decreased interest, giving U.S. buyers more standard equipment, refreshed styling that brings it up to date with its EQ siblings and new technology from the MB parts bin.

Up front, there's a new black panel surface where a grille would traditionally be. A line of light connects the headlights to each other and a fresh bumper emphasizes the car's width.

The SUV's taillights have also gotten touched, with a new design under the covering that gives the SUV a more grown-up, stylish look.

Buyers are able to get the SUV in either a two-row, five-seater configuration or a three-row, seven-seater configuration. The automaker is straightforward about the third row being a tight squeeze, saying that it's best for people up to 5.4 feet tall.

Mercedes also says that the number of takers on the three-row option is significantly higher than they anticipated.

No matter the configuration, the car has the same dimensions inside and out.
Mercedes sells the EQB in three trim levels for the 2024 model year: EQB 250+, EQB 300 4MATIC and EQB 350 4MATIC. 4MATIC is the company's branded name for all-wheel drive. All versions will be sold in the U.S.

The EQB 250+ offers up 188 horsepower (hp) and 284 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque while the midgrade EQB 300 4MATIC delivers 225 hp and 288 lb-ft of torque. Opting for the top-of-the-line EQB 350 4MATIC offers access to 288 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque.

In all models, usable battery capacity is 70.5 kilowatt-hours.

The EQB 300 4MATIC model offered up for testing had a good amount of power and oomph. It wasn't anything that would blow you away, but the system was more than confidence inspiring whether on rural roads, in the city or merging onto and keeping speed on the highways around Frankfurt, Germany.

It's properly nimble around streets, delivering an engaging drive that isn't sporty. Braking is strong and the pedal positioning is easy to get used to, even during a quick one-hour test drive. The body is stable and planted, thanks in large part to the SUV's centrally-mounted battery.

The EQB comes with Plug & Charge branded technology for the 2024 model year, which means that drivers simply need to pull up and plug in to initiate charging at a large number of enabled charging stations.

Mercedes giving the 2024 EQB its latest version of the MBUX infotainment operating system means that the company's track pad is gone, allowing for increased console storage space. Users can configure the car's infotainment screen to their choice from three offered styles (subtle, sporty and classic).
Good riddance, track pad. The touchscreen is responsive and its design is attractive.

The matching 10.25-inch driver information and infotainment screens sit under a single housing. The configuration is now standard globally.

When using navigation, owners can now see an augmented reality display on the center screen. However, using the screen as intended, pulls attention from the roadway. This technology is best applied when joined with a head-up display or on a larger screen, like the Mercedes-Benz Hyperscreen.

Mercedes has also installed its Dolby Atmos sound technology, paired with the available Burmester sound system, which provide a clear, immersive sound experience, even at many decibels over the level doctors would recommend.

Wireless charging and illuminated door sills add a touch of class to the EQB and come standard. A power liftgate, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, and aluminum roof rails are also standard on the model.

Buyers can add a panoramic sunroof, head-up display, AMG Line styling and a heated windshield/windshield washer system to their EQB upon order.

The automaker has also improved the electric SUV's improved sensor technology, including a new backup camera. The car's safety systems have also been upgraded. All this was shown off in a tight grocery store parking lot where backing out of a space was a breeze.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQB will start at $53,050 for the EQB 250+. The EQB 300 4MATIC and EQB 350 4MATIC start at $57,000 and $60,650, respectively. An additional $1,150 delivery charge per model applies.

Mercedes sweetens the deal for the EQB by offering it with two years of unlimited 30-minute DC fast charging sessions on the Electrify America charging network, and two years of complimentary maintenance as standard.

Deliveries of the SUV to U.S. dealers begins soon.

Mercedes is in a bit of a class with its own when it comes to EQB. No other luxury automaker offers its small, battery-electric SUV for sale in the U.S. Audi's Q4 E-Tron is larger and BMW reserves its current-generation, littlest battery-powered models for the European market.

With its improved list of standard features and upgraded technology, the EQB earns its price point more this model year than last.

The SUV holds its own and makes for an overall good driving experience. It's not the quickest to charge, but it's also not the slowest. If you want a luxury electric SUV and have the ability to charge at home, without the need for copious storage space larger battery-electrics offer, the GLB might just be the right fit for your next lease.