Does Mercedes’ compact luxury electric SUV have what it takes to slake EV buyers’ thirst?
Who doesn't love a juice box? Fun to look at and packed with funky flavor, they're the perfect beverage analog for, the SUV's little straw, er, limited maximum charging speed, stands out as wholly inadequate in today's EV marketplace. Where some small EVs boast charge speeds that comfortably exceed 200 kW, the mini Mercedes is limited to a max of just 100 kW, a relative trickle that nearly all other electric vehicles now surpass.
Some of its electric powertrain shortcomings can be pinned on the fact that the EQB is actually old despite being new this year. It's based on the existing GLB SUV, the handsome"baby G-Wagen" and thus uses a vehicle architecture that also serves ICE and hybrid applications, so compromises are inherent. Take, for example, the battery packaging, which raises the vehicle floor and seriously crunches room in the rear seats.
At least the EQB is good to drive. Multiple judges praised its balance and agility, with the word"nimble" coming up multiple times in their notes."I like how balanced the power delivery is across both axles," associate editor Alex Leanse said."It's very predictable," he added, a quality that makes rotating the EQB around its central axis a snap—and almost VW GTI-like.
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