New 2023 Mercedes EQB facelifted with updated technology
Mercedes’ practical seven-seat EV gets a mid-life refresh
We saw the all-electric EQB launch in 2021 to sit alongside its internal-combustion engined GLB cousin, but Mercedes has been quick to give its seven-seat EV a mid-life refresh and it’s now been revealed in full.
Mercedes also revised the EQA this week, highlighting the German firm’s desire to keep its all-electric offerings fresh ahead of a complete shake-up that’ll see new platforms and models arrive from 2024 with a new CLA-sized EV.
As for the EQB we can see it arrives with a reserved new look, not drastically different from the outgoing model. Unlike the EQE and EQS SUVs, the EQB isn’t a bespoke, ground-up electric car. It sits on the MFA2 platform - an architecture that also underpins internal-combustion engined cars such as the GLB - which will also gain a facelift in 2023.
The EQB’s front end looks broadly similar to before, although there’s a new faux grille design to go with the full-width lightbar and the rear light cluster has been tweaked as well.
Inside, there’s the latest generation Mercedes steering wheel, ditching the old car’s physical switches for touch sensitive controls. Lime-pore wood trim and a backlit ‘Mercedes pattern’ are also new to the EQB. Like the refreshed EQA, the EQB gets the German manufacturer’s latest MBUX infotainment system featuring on its dual-screen set up, while a new iteration of Mercedes’ voice assistant and revised driving assistance systems such as lane keep assist have been introduced.
A key USP for the EQB was its seven-seat capacity and this remains with the updated car - making it a rival for the Tesla Model X and the new Volkswagen ID.Buzz LWB.
Mercedes has managed to squeeze 39 extra miles from the facelifted EQA in 250+ guise, but range figures haven’t yet been revealed for the EQB. Maximum range currently stands at 253 miles for the EQB from its 66.5kWh battery.
Pricing for the new EQB should be announced soon, but with the current car starting from £55,310 in 300 AMG Line specification, we’d expect something similar from this year’s updated model.
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