Mercedes-Benz EQB: Australian release date confirmed for third quarter for electric seven-seat SUV

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Mercedes-Benz has confirmed its all-electric EQB midsize SUV will arrive in Australia within the third quarter of this year – between July and September 2022.

The three-row EQB – which is based on the petrol-powered GLB SUV – was originally confirmed to be released in Australia within the second half of the year. Mercedes-Benz is now confident of a third quarter date.

Exact details on the local specification are yet to be confirmed but globally the EQB is available in both five- and seven-seat configurations, with the latter giving it an edge over midsize rivals such as the BMW iX3 and Genesis GV60.

Overseas, the EQB is available with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, though only specifications for the dual-motor AWD cars have been provided at this time.

The EQB is set to join the$78,513 EQA small SUV and $124,300 EQC midsize on sale in Australia, with the EQS luxury sedan and EQE large sedan set to follow later in 2022 to bolster Mercedes-Benz’s electric portfolio. 

Pricing is expected to fall between the EQA and EQC. The EQB will give buyers a larger and more practical premium alternative to other electric SUVs like the Volvo XC40 Recharge and forthcoming, five-seat Tesla Model Y.

When it launches in Australia, the EQB is expected to be, in effect, the top-specification GLB variant – at least in EQB350 guise. The GLB range tops out in Australia with the $97,569 AMG L

EQB range and charging

Like the GLB midsize SUV on which it is based, the Mercedes plans to offer the EQB globally with a choice of front- and all-wheel-drive options – and has currently outlined two grades for the latter option in Europe. 

The EQB 300 4Matic kicks off the range and features a dual-motor setup producing a combined 168kW of power and 390Nm of torque to achieve a 0-100km/h sprint time of 8.0 seconds.

Buyers can also opt for the EQB 350 4Matic with a combined output of 215kW/520Nm, which cuts the 0-100km time down to 6.2 seconds.

Both variants feature a lithium-ion battery with a usable capacity of 66.5kWh providing a range of up to 419km when tested according to WLTP standards.

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed a ‘longer range’ version is also on the way – likely with a front-wheel-drive setup and a larger battery.

Once flat, the EQB can be charged at speeds of up to 100kW when using a DC charger, providing the ability to top up the 66.5kWh battery from 10-80 percent in 30 minutes.

Drivers can also use a 11kW AC charger at home that should charge the battery from flat to full within about six hours.

What does the EQB include?

Australian buyers typically gravitate towards a high level of specification on their Mercedes-Benz cars and SUVs so we can expect the EQB to be fully-loaded.

In the cabin, drivers can expect to see two 10.25-inch screens with one acting as a multimedia system and the other as a digital driver’s display.

Other features such as wireless phone charging, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather interior, premium stereo and a choice of either 18 or 20-inch wheels are all expected to be offered as well.

While the EQB doesn’t quite have the shed-like 1800-litre load capacity of its combustion-powered GLB sibling when the second and third-row seats are folded flat, it can still hold up to 1620-litres and fit people of up to 1.65-metres in height in its third row.