Currently reading: New 2021 Mercedes-Benz EQB detailed at Munich debut

GLB-based electric SUV to arrive first in 4WD guise with up to 288bhp and a 260-mile range

Mercedes-Benz’s electric car line-up continues to grow with the debut of the Mercedes EQB at the 2021 Munich motor show ahead of a planned start to UK sales before the end of the year.

Set to rival the Audi Q4 E-tron, the EQB is based on the Mercedes GLB, alongside which it is produced at Mercedes-Benz’s plant in Kecskemet, Hungary for the UK market. Production will get underway later this month.

Munich motor show 2021: all the new cars and updates

The first variants to go on sale in Europe will be the four-wheel-drive EQB 300 4Matic, with 225bhp and 288lb ft, and the range-topping EQB 350, which bumps outputs up to 288bhp and 384lb ft for a 0-62mph time of 6.2 seconds – 1.8 seconds quicker than the entry car. Top speed for each is pegged at 99mph. 

98 Mercedes benz eqb 2021 official images tracking rear

Each uses a a 66kWh lithium ion battery, produced by Mercedes-Benz sibling company Deutsche Accumotive, housed underneath the rear seat.

It can be charged at up to 11kW on an AC system and at up to 100kW on a DC set-up, and provides the compact SUV with a WLTP-certified range of 260 miles. As it showed the EQB in Europe for the first time, Mercedes confirmed a "particularly long range version" is on the horizon, though gave no details as to the size of its battery.

Also set to be added to the lin-up is the front-wheel-drive EQB 250. It's not expected to reach UK showrooms until 2022, but should represent a substantial cost saving over the two launch-spec cars.

91 Mercedes benz eqb 2021 official images interview

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As with the smaller EQA, with which it shares key elements of its drivetrain, the EQB receives its own individual exterior styling elements, including a blanked-off grille, to differentiate it from the combustion-engined car. There are also Mercedes EQC-aping light bands and new bumpers at the front and rear. Wheels range from 18in to 20in.

Customers will be able to order the EQB with an optional AMG Line styling pack that brings uniquely styled bumpers and 20in wheels, among other bespoke details.

Inside, there are unique digital instrument graphics and altered trims, including a new rose gold colour for the aluminium-effect air vents and dashboard panelling, as well as ambient lighting.

The remainder is shared with the GLB, including the choice of a five- or seven-seat interior layout. However, modifications made to its MFA platform to accommodate the electric components have reduced boot capacity in five-seat versions by 75 litres over the GLB, at 495 litres. With the rear seats folded away, capacity increases to 1710 litres.

91 Mercedes benz eqb 2021 official images interview

The EQB was originally scheduled to be produced at the Mercedes-owned Smart city car factory in Hambach, France. However, a sale of the site to British manufacturer Ineos, which plans to assemble its new Grenadier 4x4 there, forced a shift to the Kecskemet facility in Hungary, which currently produces the GLB, Mercedes-Benz CLA and CLA Shooting Brake

Prices for the EQB have not yet been revealed, but going by the disparity between the GLA and EQA, the EQB 300 should hit the market at around £50,000. 

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superstevie 19 April 2021

I don't get what people are getting annoyed about using an existing platform to get an electric version out. I am sure it isn't the easiest option, but making a whole new platform for small sales for the first gen version doesn't make sense. The second gen will probably be completely new, with electric or plugin hybrid only. Doing it this way helps product life cycles

Andrew1 18 April 2021
This is pointless. Apart from the doubtful front end, being based on a ICE model means it doesn't have any of the packaging advantages of a dedicated electric platform. Just look at that long bonnet - what is it for?
Christian Galea 18 April 2021

Not sure about the design...the front look, which has several curves and rounded edges, seems incongruent with the rest of the body, which is more squarish...feels like they forgot about designing it until the last minute, so they only had the time to copy the look from the EQS and paste it onto the EQB.

Actually I'm unsure of the Mercedes design direction in general...the EQS is also a disappointment following the decent concept version, and the new S is unremarkable too imo. At least they haven't removed the three-pointed star from the bonnet of the S-Class...yet.