When it comes to conscious, sustainable choices, in the case of new cars, there’s strong evidence that EVs are a compelling choice. The rate of EV adoption has increased considerably, and the cars themselves have improved — some even better than their conventionally powered iterations. The emergence of premium electric vehicles has been phenomenal in the last few years, and it’s because of cars like the EQB, you would want to consider an EV in that space. It looks good, has a fair bit of room inside, its price tag isn’t obnoxiously heavy, and its brand appeal is one of the best in the luxury car segment but is all that enough to sway your decision? We take the Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 on a drive to learn more about this mid-sized premium electric SUV.

In the German carmaker’s expansive SUV line-up, the EQB sits above the entry-level EQA (which is based on the GLA). While the arrival of Maybach and the upcoming all-electric G-Class will cater to the upper-end of the segment, it’s the models like the EQB that offer a great balance. It has everything you expect from a Mercedes-Benz car in terms of luxury, refinement, and even everyday usability, but it is propelled using electric power. It’s also greener and easier on the pocket to run. Its ₹70.90 lakh starting price (ex-showroom for the base model) won’t exactly make you flinch, especially once you consider that Mercedes-Benz has priced it very close to the car it’s based on. The GLB, for reference, is priced at ₹64.80 lakh onwards (ex-showroom).

There’s no denying that the EQB 350 looks sharp. It has also been blessed with enough to differentiate from the conventionally powered version. The front is distinctly futuristic, thanks in part to the LED bar that runs across the car’s width and a handsome three-pointed star in the centre. Where you would otherwise see a radiator grille is a panel with stars on it. Since an EV doesn’t require a grille per se, this fills the space nicely while adding some flavour to the car’s styling.

That the EQB is a well-proportioned SUV is not a surprise, but the 19-inch, 10-spoke AMG wheels make it look even more stylish. The silhouette is shared with the GLB, but it fits well both in the typically urban setting (where the car will be used every day) and against a more outdoorsy backdrop. Like the front, the car’s rear is also bestowed with a wide LED bar. It’s become a signature element in modern cars, especially electric ones, and it doesn’t look out of place on the EQB, either.

Mix of luxury, tech

You don’t buy a Mercedes-Benz only to appreciate its exterior styling all day; you would also want to experience its cabin. After all, that’s what sets it apart from other brands, doesn’t it? The EQB’s interior doesn’t disappoint. It’s a good mix of luxury and tech, but with enough individual touches to distinguish itself from the GLB’s cabin. Similar to the flagship EQS, the EQB’s backlit door trims (with ambient LED lights) and star motifs on the dashboard set the tone for the cabin. It looks and feels premium — unsurprising for a Merc.

The interior is also spacious, and the dual-pane panoramic sunroof makes it appear even roomier. At the back, there are no problems with space or comfort, with decent legroom and adequate headroom. The SUV’s boot space isn’t inadequate either, and even with the spare tyre, you will be able to haul luggage enough for a weekend outing. The seats are extremely comfortable, and while you get a fair bit of customisation options and even the option to turn the heating on, the omission of ventilated or cooled seats is a definite downside.

Safety tech

On the other hand, the Burmester audio system (with Dolby Atmos) sounds brilliant — offering a very detailed sound reproduction, even at low volume levels. The steering wheel comes with touch-sensitive buttons and looks good. A 360-degree camera is also included, which makes living with the EQB very easy, while the dual-zone climate control ensures that the cabin is a pleasant place to be. The MBUX system is user-friendly, and with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, there’s seamless phone connectivity. The combination of a central touchscreen and the digital instrument panel looks neat and works well, too. The EQB comes equipped with a variety of safety tech, including Level 2 ADAS capabilities. There’s adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and autonomous emergency braking, among other standard fitments. These ensure that the EQB isn’t just safer but also makes every drive more hassle-free.

Speaking of driving, the SUV comes with a 66.5 kWh battery powering a dual-motor setup which makes 288 bhp and 53.06 kg-m. Decent figures, those translate to a claimed 0-100 km/h time of just 6.2 seconds while the top speed is limited to 160 km/h. In terms of range, the EQB 350 has a claimed range of 423 km (WLTP standards) and we believe that around 350 km on a full charge is pretty doable. In fact, if you want to make the most of it, turn the regenerative braking to the max and 380+ km on a single charge might not be too difficult, making the EQB 350 ideal for both everyday commutes and the occasional weekend trip.

Smooth power delivery

Having said that, those are just numbers, but how is the EQB to drive? Its acceleration feels brisk, and while the top speed might be limited, you won’t ever think that the SUV needs more power on public roads. The availability of instant torque makes overtaking much easier than in a conventionally powered car. The EQB’s acceleration off the line is also addictive. On the move, the overall stability can’t be faulted; its suspension is tuned to offer a mix of comfort and sporty driving, and it delivers flawlessly. The lower centre of gravity, thanks to the battery placement, ensures the car never feels top-heavy. Plus, while it’s no small SUV, the EQB hides its size well. The smooth power delivery and responsive nature make it a pretty compelling package. When it comes to charging the EQB 350, Mercedes-Benz claims that the SUV can be charged from 10-80 per cent in just 30 minutes on a DC fast charger.

The prices for the EQB 350 start at ₹77.50 lakh (ex-showroom), and for that money, you get an SUV which ticks nearly all the right boxes. It’s practical, it doesn’t cost a lot to run, and it offers a good mix of luxury and tech. There are no direct rivals, but even if there were, the EQB would still make a strong case for itself. We particularly like its decent range, the spacious interior, and the overall unique styling of this electric SUV — and all of that comes at a price point which makes the EQB irresistible.