Mercedes continues to unveil its new lineup of electric cars, showing off the battery-electric EQB compact SUV at the Shanghai Auto Show. We expect sales to start in the U.S. next year, though there’s no word of EQB pricing yet. It’s a close sibling to the gasoline-driven GLB crossover, so it’s a safe bet to estimate the EQB will be above the GLB’s roughly $38,000 starting price.
Park the two cars side-by-side, and their many shared components are obvious. But the EQB differs in its smooth black false grille and swept-back headlights. In back, a light treatment distinguishes it as well. An LED strip stretching across the width of the vehicle connects the taillights.
Inside, the two cars are almost identical. The EQB employs different gauge displays on its digital instrument cluster. The only visible difference between the gasoline- and electric-powered cars is a matter of graphics programming. The tiny third row of seats, not suitable for adults on long trips, remains.
Mercedes detailed the drivetrains the EQB will carry in Europe and China, but not what we will get in the U.S. Ours will most likely resemble the options given to European buyers, meaning that we can expect front- and all-wheel drive models with one or two electric motors. The single-motor setup is good for 288 horsepower, while the dual-motor version’s specs haven’t been announced yet.
In Europe, the EQB’s 66.5 kWh battery is good for 260 miles of driving range. EPA certifications tend to be much lower, but Mercedes will offer a longer-range version of the EQB for sale sometime later in the model’s run.
