2022 Mercedes EQB Breaks Cover As The EQA’s Boxier, More Practical Electric Sibling

Mercedes has revealed the new EQB, the all-electric variant of the GLB and seven-seater sibling of the EQA, at the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show, alongside the flagship EQS electric luxury saloon.

The German carmaker is showing off the China-specific version of the EQB, which is going to be produced in Beijing and go on sale later this year. The European version will also be launched in 2021, while US-spec models will arrive stateside in 2022. Global versions of the new EQB will be produced at the carmaker’s factory in Kecskemét, Hungary.

The new electric Mercedes SUV will be launched in China in top-of-the-range AMG Line form with an output of 288 HP. Mercedes will offer the new EQB in several configurations, with front- and all-wheel-drive, as well as different power outputs and battery pack sizes, starting from 66.5 kWh.

In Europe, the EQB 350 4Matic will offer a driving range of 260 miles (419 km), with Mercedes planning to add “a particularly long-range version” in the near future. The new EQB will come with an 11 kW onboard charger as standard, as well as the ability to be charged with up to 100 kW at a DC fast-charge station.

“With the all-new EQB we have created an iconic electric SUV that takes the heritage of our boxy off-road vehicles and transforms this into the future. We combine the significant boxy silhouette with futuristic elements such as the black-panel front to create the extraordinary look of the vehicle”, said Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer of Daimler Group.

At the front, you find the typical Mercedes-EQ black panel instead of a grille, as well as a continuous fiber-optic light strip that connects the daytime running lights of the full-LED headlights. The wheel designs are exclusive to the EQB and are up to 20 inches in size, with some of them finished in rosé gold or blue. The rear end also features a full-width LED light strip, while the number plate is now mounted on the bumper.

The new Mercedes EQB retains the same wheelbase as the GLB, at 2,829 mm, meaning that the space inside is identical to the ICE-powered SUV. Mercedes says that people up to a height of 1.65 meters can sit comfortably in the optional (standard in China) third row of seats, while the second row offers adjustment for both the backrest, and as an option it also can be adjusted longitudinally by 140 mm, for more versatility.

The dashboard remains pretty much the same with the GLB, save for a few trim and color changes. Depending on the model, you could have rosé gold-colored decorative elements on the air vents, seats, and even the key fob, while the dual-display setup comes with EV-specific screens.

The MBUX infotainment system of the EQB features Navigation with Electric Intelligence as standard. The system calculates the fastest route to the destination, taking into account not only any necessary charging stops but also the topography and weather.

Pricing details and the full specification of the new Mercedes EQB will be announced towards the end of the year. In the UK market, the new EQB will be offered in EQB 300 and EQB 350 guise from launch.

Read all the latest stories from the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show over at our dedicated hub here.