2024 Mercedes-Benz EQB 250+ review: The LCT-busting prestige seven-seater to battle Kia’s EV9
Seven seats, fully electric, Benz badge on the bonnet and, at $89,100, costing below the LCT threshold for you FBT dodgers.
Little wonder the oddly-shaped Mercedes EQB is the brand’s electrified quiet achiever: despite its bulbous bum, last year Aussies bought almost 800 of them.
For 2024 it’s been gifted some mild aesthetic revisions and increased electric range. The entry-level EQB 250, with single 140kW/385Nm electric motor over its front axle, now becomes the EQB 250+.
Why? Its previously $2900 option third row seats (which proved immensely popular) is now standard, while the EQB 350 has been quietly pulled from sale. This higher-spec all-paw twin motor 215kW/520Nm version couldn’t meet Australian Design Rules for seven seats, due to the additional rear weight with the second motor.
So the EQB 250+ is playing to its strength – seven seat EVs are a rarity and highly suited to larger families or those just wanting the versatility of a third row.
Currently, the only other seven-chair SUVs on sale here are the Kia EV9 and Merc’s own EQS SUV.
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2024 Mercedes-Benz EQB 250+ price and equipment
The $89,100 (about $97,000 drive-away) EQB 250+ is based on Merc’s internal combustion GLB SUV, but shares its electric setup with the smaller EQA electric SUV.
Gone is the old 66.5kWh battery, replaced by a larger 70.5kWh effort. This addresses the previous EQB’s rather disappointing 371km range (WLTP), Benz claiming the new one adds an additional 57km range, using the less real-world NEDC test.
While the 2024 EQB 250+’s WLTP range hasn’t been revealed, we can estimate it to be around 405km. The optimistic NEDC range is 564km.
Face design-wise the front grille features a sparkly constellation of Mercedes-Benz stars, with fancy fibre optic light band above, blending into DRLs over LED headlights featuring blue elements. For 2024, AMG Line exterior with AMG body styling’s now standard.
Out back there’s a full-length curved light strip, while in profile the EQB proudly displays its tall, flat-roof design which makes that third row of seating perfectly practical. Despite 20-inch AMG wheels, the plastic-cladded arches look quite underfilled.
Inside you score a panoramic sunroof, two 10.25-inch high-res screens (infotainment and driver display), MBUX with navigation and augmented reality display, Nappa leather sports steering wheel, faux leather/suede upholstery, power, memory and heated front seats, tri-zone climate control, wired CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging and 64 colour ambient lighting.
As you’d expect from Benz, it’s keyless entry and start, plus there’s a hands-free auto tailgate.
Safety-wise there’s active cruise control, advanced auto emergency braking, steering, lane and blind spot assist and 360-degree camera.
Let’s talk charging. Maximum rate is a below-average 100kW, so it’ll take 32 minutes to go from 10-80 percent using a public DC fast charger.
The same job takes just over four hours using a 11kW AC public charger, or if you’ve got an 11kW home wallbox and three-phase power.
Benz provides charging cables to suit, but a wallbox and fitting costs extra. If you plug the EQB into a normal home socket, you must wait about 25 hours to reach that 80 percent.
Included is a year’s subscription to the Chargefox network, and new for the 250+ is public charging station authentication, where transactions are digitally authenticated using the car’s MBUX system.
You must service annually or every 25,000km, with plans available for three at $1910, or five at $3200.
Battery warranty’s eight-years/160,000km, while the rest of the car is covered for five-years/unlimited kms.
2024 Mercedes-Benz EQB 250+: What we think
My review’s based on driving the outgoing EQB 250 seven-seater, as the new 250+ is not yet available for test. But its fundamentals remain the same.
It’s a well thought-out family bus, this. Zooming in on the EQB’s appealing third row of seats, they’re more accommodating than Benz’s ‘occasional use’ claim.
As a six-footer I could clamber into the back with few dramas, and with middle seats slid forwards up to 140mm on runners – plus they recline quite far – there’s versatility aplenty.
In seats six and seven my head is just on the ceiling, and leg room’s acceptable with the second row moved forward. Large windows mean it’s not too claustrophobic back here, plus there are two cup holders between the seats, and USB-C ports in the side panels. All very civilised.
Key for families, these third row chairs each feature child seat ISOFIX points, bringing the total number in the car to four. If you’re a super breeder (or carting the kids’ friends around too) there are five top tether strap mounts as well.
The middle seats have superb headroom but the floor’s a bit high with the battery underneath. Up-front space is also standout, and there’s a real sense of Benz class on show. Wood trim, soft plastics and quality switchgear join sumptuous feeling seats for the premium experience.
Even so, it still suffers from being based on an ICE platform. There’s no ‘walk-through’ feel to the front two rows (as EV platform cars often have), plus there’s no frunk.
With seven seats in place there’s only a 130L boot – enough for just a few shopping bags – but that grows to a healthier 465L with the two back seats down. The ICE-only GLB has 180L more, for reference.
Traditional Merc owners shouldn’t be disappointed with the EQB 250+’s drive. There’s a serene hush to progress – no engine noise and very little road noise – helping the prestige sheen.
If you drive it as it’s intended – think sensible family car/soccer mum spec – it’s all rather wonderful. But if you’re too hard on the throttle, all those 385Nms instantly churn through the front wheels. Fine in the dry, but on our wet test there was plenty of wheelspin and torque steer to battle.
It’s an eager feeling thing. 0-100km/h in quoted at 8.9 seconds, but if feels quicker. Use Sport mode and there’s all the urge and performance most seven-seat shoppers could wish for.
But it’s a hefty unit; well over two tonnes unladen. Balance and handling are fine with much of the weight (the battery) mounted low down, but there’s a dose of body roll in turns. Well, just look at the dimensions of this thing.
But there’s independent rear suspension and adjustable damping, so control’s pretty standout. Sport mode stiffens the ride and sharpens steering and throttle response, but really, just leave it in Comfort to get the best out of this EQB.
Softer damping suits its personality, road bumps are neatly absorbed and it’s just a lush, relaxed thing to cruise in.
Regen’s handled with steering wheel paddles, and if you leave it in Auto, the car uses cameras and radars to analyse the road and vehicles around you to work out the best regen for the circumstances.
Very smart, and it appears to work well as it coasts on highways off-throttle, rather than sharply slowing. Sadly, it won’t come to a complete stop using regen, and the strongest regen setting should be firmer.
Benz’s driver assistance package is standard, bringing radar cruise control, AEB, lane keep, active blind spot and plenty more. The lane keep can be a bit fierce in its pull back into lane, but the radar cruise is one of the best in the business.
Claimed consumption is 16.7kWh/100km, while our test returned closer to 20kWh/100km. This was mainly higher speed driving on highways or country roads – more punishing on battery life than urban use.
2024 Mercedes-Benz EQB 250+: Verdict
It may look a bit funny, real-world range isn’t huge at around 400km, and charge rate max is just 100kW, but the EQB’s compelling point of difference are those seven seats. Usable ones, too.
The fact it just squeezes under the Luxury Car Tax threshold, appealing to FBT avoiders, is a huge boon.
It feels like a proper Benz too. A smooth, measured, comfy drive and excellent cabin tech make it hugely likeable, and an easy shift to EV life. It’s lovely to live with.
SCORE: 3.5/5
2024 Mercedes-Benz EQB 250+ specifications:
Price: $89,100 plus on-roads.
Basics: EV, 7 seats, 5 doors, mid-sized SUV, FWD
Range: Approx 405km (WLTP)
Battery Capacity: 70.5kWh
Battery Warranty: 8-years/160,000km
Energy consumption: 16.7kWh/100km (20kWh/100km as tested)
Motor: 1 front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous, 140kW/385Nm
AC charging: 11kW, Type 2 plug
DC charging: 100kW, CCS combo plug
0-100km/h: 8.9 seconds
