Mercedes-Benz stumbles with new small EV SUV
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB 250+ is the new and least expensive electric sport utility vehicle in the German manufacturer’s lineup. It joins the EQB 300 4Matic and 350 4Matic in the brand’s expanding EV focus.
All models have Premium, Exclusive and Pinnacle trim levels, opening the configurations to a wider audience. It’s a financially attractive way to enter the EV market with the enduring carmaker.
The EQB 250+ features 188 horsepower and is powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor. With its more powerful relatives, the EQB 250 uses a 70-kWh battery pack. The manufacturer promotes the battery charges from 10 to 80 percent in 32 minutes while using a DC fast charger that delivers 100 kW of power. Using a 9.6-kW 240-volt home charging station the EQB fully charges in about eight hours.
While the base (premium) EQB includes front-wheel drive, the two higher trims have dual-motor electric drivetrains and all-wheel-drive.
Mercedes-Benz generously stocks its vehicles. The EQB 250+ Premium trim includes 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated, power-folding exterior mirrors, roof rails, power liftgate, auto-dimming driver’s side view and rearview mirrors and keyless ignition.
The interior is simple and stylishly appointed, but it’s not plush. The equipment includes a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, dual-zone automatic climate control with remote preconditioning, power-adjustable front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, parking sensors and an automated parking system.
Ambient interior lighting, voice-controlled assistant, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, a navigation system tailored for an EV and four USB-C ports are included.
Driver assist features are plentiful. But there are so many warnings and some are so sensitive, safety overload is an issue. What defines too much of a good thing? Specifically, how many functions are necessary?
Consider: the driver attention warning engages if its sensors determine the vehicle operator is fatigued. Forward collision mitigation warns of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios. A blind-spot warning alerts the driver if a vehicle in the next lane is in your blind spot. The rear passenger safe-exit system prevents passengers from opening a door into traffic approaching from behind.
Stand-alone options include: 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, second-row side-impact airbags, third-row seating and a hands-free power liftgate.
The EQB offers 22 cubic feet of cargo space behind its second-row seats and 62 cubic feet with seats folded. The optional third row of seats reduces the cargo room to 10.7 cubic feet, hardly worthy of an SUV. The seats aren’t useful for normal-sized humans.
Mercedes-Benz once had a stronghold in the marketplace, with its signature prideful ride quality. But the expanding EV segment is chock-full of competition. The EQE, specifically at its starting price of $52,750, isn’t a bargain. It’s just the carmaker’s lowest-priced choice.
With the reviewed vehicle’s installed options and taxes, the tally is $61,160. Rivals’ starting MSRPs include the Tesla Model Y ($45,380), Audi Q4 e-tron ($54,500) Volvo XC40 Recharge ($54,645) and Genesis GV60 ($60,415).
Range is the EQB 250’s weakest category. Its EPA estimate is 245 and its MPGe is 105, with 113 in city driving and 97 on the highway. The Audi, Genesis, Volvo and Tesla all have better range limits. The new Mercedes-Benz EV SUV also doesn’t fare well against rivals in the 0-to-60 miles per hour standard, clocking 8.0 seconds.
Buying the EQB 250 isn’t a bad choice. It’s just not the best choice.
James Raia, a syndicated automotive columnist in Sacramento, is the founder and senior editor of theweeklydriver.com. It features independent new car reviews, automotive news and a free newsletter and podcast. E-mail: james@jamesraia.com.