The small premium electric SUV is quite a tongue twister of a class, but it's a busy one, and the Mercedes EQA and EQB have been revised to help keep them competitive in the sector.
More tech for electric duo
The EQA and EQB aren't that old, but Mercedes has expanded its EV line-up significantly since they were first launched, introducing newer tech in the process. So the German car maker has now seen fit to add some of these innovations to its two junior EVs. It will help them remain competitive against electric rivals such as the Volvo XC40 and C40 Recharge, BMW iX1 and Audi Q4 e-tron.
Exterior revisions include a new black 'grille' design that's inspired by more recent electric models such as the Mercedes EQE and EQS saloons and SUVs. There's a star pattern within the grille, while the nose and front bumper have been reprofiled to reduce drag and therefore increase range.
The LED daytime running light signature now features an LED strip across the nose that connects the light housings, and new LED taillight clusters have also been added. The leading edges of the rear wheelarches have also been reprofiled to aid aerodynamics, and a ridge moulded into the taillights is meant to do the same thing.
Two new metallic paints - Spectral Blue and High-tech Silver - have been added to the colour options, while new wheel designs ranging from 18 to 20 inches are designed to boost aerodynamic efficiency further.
Inside, new dashboard designs include backlit piano-black trim with a laser-etched star pattern, while open-pore lime wood is available as an option, too. New steering wheels include touch-sensitive control panels, similar to those seen on the recently facelifted A-Class and B-Class.
Updated infotainment with optional add-ons
The 10.25-inch touchscreen is now fitted as standard across both ranges, while the MBUX infotainment system has been upgraded, too. This includes compatibility with the Mercedes Me app, and the online connectivity also includes the option of adding extras after purchase via over-the-air updates from the Mercedes Me Shop. Extras that can be specced after purchase include adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition and augmented reality navigation instructions, the latter projecting arrows on a view of the road ahead that's cast to the touchscreen. These extras can either be bought outright or paid for via a monthly subscription.
As before, the Mercedes EQB will be available as a five- or seven-seater, while opting for five seats allows buyers to add an optional trailer hitch for the first time. This allows the EQB to tow up to 1,400kg - or 1,700kg for versions featuring 4Matic four-wheel drive. Since the EQB and EQA are largely unchanged in terms of bodyshell, interior dimensions remain the same as before, with a maximum cargo capacity of 1,710 litres for the five-seat EQB with the back seats folded.
EQA specs and range
Power comes from the same powertrains as before, but various updates have boosted driving range for all models. Starting with the EQA, the best performer in the WLTP test is the 190hp EQA 250+, which has a 70.5kWh battery that gives it a maximum range of 560km. The EQA 250 has the same power output, but a 66.5kWh battery and a range of 528km.
The EQA 300 and 350 both have the same 66.5kWh battery as the EQA 250, along with 4Matic four-wheel drive is standard thanks to a twin-motor set-up that produces up to 228hp and 292hp, respectively. Both are quoted with up to 459km of range in the WLTP tests. A maximum DC charging rate of 100kW is possible across the line-up.
Mercedes EQB specs and range
For the EQB, there's one less powertrain option, because the 250 variant with the smaller battery isn't offered. The EQB 250+ has the same configuration as the EQA version, and comes with a range of up to 536km on the WLTP test. The EQB 300 and EQB 350 once again come with 4Matic four-wheel drive and the same outputs as the EQA equivalents, while both have a maximum range of 448km in the WLTP test cycle.
All versions of the EQA and EQB also come with Plug & Charge, a system that's designed to take the hassle out of charging. Users signed into the Mercedes Me smartphone app should be able to simply plug a car into a public point and charge without having to authenticate it on a secondary app. Currently, only compatible charge points can be used with this function, but the Ionity network is included, and more networks are expected to come on board over time.
Irish pricing and specifications for the revised Mercedes EQA and EQB ranges will be confirmed closer to their on-sale date in Ireland, which is expected to be in time for the new "241" registration plate in January 2024.