2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB

The volume 2023 EQB 300 4MATIC's dual motors make 225 hp combined (228 PS / 168 kW); the EQB 350 4MATIC makes 288 hp. 2023 is an early carry-over year of the X243 EQB generation that began in 2022, and the US lineup is still the two 4MATIC trims only.

The EQB 300 4MATIC makes 288 lb-ft (390 Nm), all of it available from a standstill as in any EV. The 350 4MATIC makes 384 lb-ft.

Mercedes-Benz USA quoted about 7.6 s 0–60 mph for the EQB 300 4MATIC in this period, which is slow for a luxury compact SUV. Only the 350 4MATIC, at about 6 s, is quick.

The dual-motor drive is quiet and seamless with immediate throttle response. Reviewers find it refined but not punchy, because a curb weight around 4,700 lb blunts the 300 4MATIC's response.

Both trims use a single-speed reduction gear, so there are no shifts and nothing to hunt. Steering-wheel paddles select the regeneration level.

The 4MATIC EQB, the only drivetrain sold in the US for 2023, is homologated for 1,700 kg (≈3,750 lbs) braked with the optional factory hitch. Mercedes-Benz USA does not prominently publish a US rating, so confidence is MEDIUM.

Dual-motor 4MATIC AWD is standard on both US trims for 2023; the FWD 250+ did not arrive until 2024. The system has no low range and no terrain-specific AWD mode.

A pavement-oriented luxury crossover with about 5.7 in of ground clearance. It has no skid plates, no lockers, no off-road drive mode and no off-road trim.

Battery-electric only, offered at two dual-motor output levels (225/288 hp). There is no gas, hybrid or PHEV EQB; the gas equivalent is sold separately as the GLB.

EPA rates the volume EQB 300 4MATIC at 101 MPGe combined. EPA publishes no separate 2023 EQB record; the 2022 certification (released January 2023) covers the unchanged 2023 car.

The EPA city rating for the volume 300 4MATIC is 104 MPGe.

The EPA highway rating for the volume 300 4MATIC is 98 MPGe. The boxy, GLB-derived body keeps it from matching purpose-built EV crossovers at speed.

EPA rates the volume 300 4MATIC at 243 miles from its 66.5 kWh usable battery. That is short for an EV crossover; most rivals clear 250–300 miles.

The EQB has a CCS1 DC fast-charge inlet on a 400V architecture, but it accepts only 100 kW peak. That is low next to 800V rivals, which take 150–350 kW.

Mercedes quotes 32 minutes for a 10–80% charge at up to 100 kW. That is mid-pack only because the battery is small.

EPA's estimated annual energy cost for the volume 300 4MATIC is $750 at 15k mi/yr. That is cheap next to gas SUVs and about average among EVs.

The EQB uses no gasoline, and its 9.6 kW onboard charger refills it overnight on Level 2 (about 8.25 h). The score is held back because the modest range means more public charging, and in 2023 the CCS1 car had no Tesla Supercharger access. The low DC peak is already scored at 2.2.4/2.2.5 and is not counted again here.

NHTSA lists both 2023 EQB entries (AWD and FWD) as 'Not Rated' in every frontal, side, side-pole and rollover test, so the value is 0 = never rated.

IIHS has never crash-tested the EQB, so the 2023 model has no award and no US crashworthiness data. It sits at the top of the untested band because the shared GLB structure earned 5 stars from Euro NCAP (95% adult occupant).

The pre-facelift 2023 EQB 300/350 4MATIC includes Active Brake Assist (AEB with pedestrian detection), Blind Spot Assist, lane departure warning/lane keeping, automatic high beams and Attention Assist as standard. Adaptive cruise, steering assist and active blind-spot braking stay in the optional Driver Assistance Package, which is thinner standard kit than Volvo or Genesis rivals offer.

IIHS has not rated the EQB's front crash prevention. Active Brake Assist covers vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists and did well in Euro NCAP's AEB tests on the shared platform, but with no US day or night pedestrian result it can't reach the top band.

Blind Spot Assist with exit warning is standard but only warns. Active Blind Spot Assist (which brakes) and the cross-traffic braking function come with the optional Driver Assistance Package.

Lane departure warning and lane keeping (brake-based correction) are standard. Smooth Active Steering Assist lane centering needs the optional Driver Assistance Package.

Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is a refined full-speed stop-and-go system that works with Active Steering Assist and route-based speed adaptation. It stays out of the top band because it is optional on the volume trim.

The 2023 EQB has no hands-free driving option. Mercedes' DRIVE PILOT is limited to the S-Class and EQS Sedan, and the EQB's Driver Assistance Package is a hands-on Level 2 system.

LED headlights with automatic high beams are standard on the pre-facelift 2023 EQB, but IIHS has never rated its headlights, so how well they actually perform is unverified.

The EQB shares the GLB's boxy, upright greenhouse, tall side glass and near-vertical tailgate, which give clearly better sightlines than coupe-roofed rivals. A rearview camera is standard and a 360-degree camera is optional.

Tall, square rear doors and a sliding second row make fitting rear-facing seats easier than in most compact luxury rivals. Three-across is tight, the EV's raised floor costs some footwell room, and IIHS has not rated the EQB's LATCH hardware.

The 2023 EQB seats five as standard and seven with the optional two-seat third row, which is rare among compact luxury EVs.

The upright GLB-derived body gives generous front headroom.

Front legroom is adequate but shorter than most compact luxury SUVs.

The tall roofline gives the second row more headroom than most rivals.

The sliding second row gives good legroom for the class.

An optional third row exists, but with 29.1 in of legroom it suits small children; The Drive says it fits only 'a couple of petite adults'.

Cargo space behind the second row is modest for the class. Published figures vary with the sliding-row position and the seat layout.

The boxy body folds down to a maximum cargo figure that is above average for compact luxury SUVs.

Everyday storage is competitive: a sliding 40/20/40 second row and a console bin. Wireless charging was a paid option for 2023, there is no frunk, and nothing is class-leading.

The front seats are spacious and supportive, and multicontour massaging seats were optional. The second row sits somewhat low and flat.

The Drive calls the suspension 'the highlight of the EQB driving experience' and 'superbly smooth' on highways, and adaptive damping was still available for 2023. The roughly 4,700-lb curb weight can still make it firm over sharp broken pavement.

The EV drivetrain and Mercedes insulation keep the cabin quiet. The boxy shape admits some wind noise at highway speed.

Dual-zone climate and app pre-conditioning are standard. Heated seats and the heated steering wheel come in the winter package, and ventilated seats only with the optional multicontour seats, which is thin base equipment for a luxury EV.

For 2023 the US lineup was 4MATIC-only, so the range opens with the EQB 300 4MATIC Exclusive. The single-motor 250+ that cut the entry price arrived with the 2024 facelift. Sources differ by a few hundred dollars because Mercedes raised prices during the model year.

The volume configuration is taken as the 300 4MATIC Exclusive with the commonly fitted $950 Cold Weather package (heated seats and wheel). The Pinnacle trim and the 350 4MATIC sit $1,600–4,600 higher.

With no oil service and brakes spared by regenerative braking, it costs less to maintain than gas luxury SUVs. Mercedes dealer labor, cabin filters, brake-fluid service, tires and out-of-warranty repairs in year 5 still put it above mainstream EVs.

The 2023 EQB 300 4MATIC has lost about half its value in three years as subsidized-lease returns flooded the used market. At that pace, retention after five years lands near the bottom of the segment.

This is the standard Mercedes-Benz New Vehicle Limited Warranty. It matches BMW and Audi and trails Genesis's 5 yr/60k.

The high-voltage battery carries the standard 8-year/100,000-mile EV coverage. The electric drive units otherwise fall under the 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty.

Every 2023 EQB came with two years of unlimited 30-minute Electrify America sessions via Mercedes me Charge, plus roadside assistance for the warranty term and a Mercedes me connect trial. There is no complimentary scheduled maintenance, unlike BMW's 3-yr/36k plan.

$57,750 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (38% retained, or about $21,945) leaves about $35,805 in depreciation. Add the projected $6,000 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $41,805 in total.

The 2023 EQB is the second model year of the X243 generation (2022–2026) and a carry-over year. It sits in every high-voltage battery recall population, and owners also report brake, driver-assist and MBUX glitches. Consumer Reports has published no strong verdict for it (small sample), which leaves it average at best among luxury EVs and below the Lexus RZ/NX and Audi Q4 e-tron.

Mercedes-Benz usually ranks in the lower third of Consumer Reports' brand reliability rankings and above the industry average for problems in J.D. Power's VDS. That puts it behind Lexus, Genesis and Toyota at the premium end, though ahead of Land Rover and Alfa Romeo.

MY2023 is covered by repeated high-voltage battery fire campaigns. The first, NHTSA 25V-050 (MY2022–2024), capped charging at 80% pending a BMS software update. A second, 25V-894 (Dec 2025), covers 2023 EQB 250/300/350 and requires cars already fixed under 25V-050 to be repaired again. A further campaign replaces packs on EQBs built Dec 2021–May 2024, with charge-to-80% and park-outside advice in the meantime. A repeated, unresolved fire risk on this model year's core component puts it near the bottom of the low band.

Mercedes attributes the fire risk to variation in early production at cell supplier Farasis Energy, combined with external factors such as charging-current ripple. The original pack in a 2023 car therefore has a documented cell-level defect, and the software fixes had to be redone. The motors and reduction gear have shown no widespread failures, and a replaced pack plus the 8-yr/100k-mile battery warranty limit the long-term exposure.

The cabin comes from the GLB: turbine vents, a dual-screen MBUX layout and EQ trim accents put it clearly above mainstream compact SUVs. Reviewers note more hard plastic on the lower dash and door cards than its price suggests, which leaves it below Lexus and Volvo rivals.

US-market EQBs are built at Kecskemét, Hungary. Review cars show tight panel gaps and no systemic rattle complaints, but owner reports of electronic and trim niggles and no published initial-quality standout keep this in the average band.

Mercedes-Benz USA has a dense network of about 380 dealers, most equipped for EQ high-voltage service, with luxury service amenities. Service satisfaction sits mid-pack among luxury brands, behind Lexus.

Mercedes-Benz parts and dealer labor are among the most expensive in the industry, and the EQB's HV and EV-specific components are dealer-only with little aftermarket support. Pack-replacement supply for the fleet-wide battery recall means a 2023 owner may wait for parts.

The dual 10.25-in screens are standard but mid-size by current luxury standards.

This pre-facelift MBUX is sharp and can be run by touchscreen, console touchpad, steering-wheel touch controls or 'Hey Mercedes'. The many input methods and deep menus add clutter, and owners note CarPlay does not run full-screen.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard but wired on the 2023 US car. Wireless projection arrived with the 2024 facelift.

Native navigation with EV route planning and the natural-language 'Hey Mercedes' assistant are standard. The interior assistant is an option.

The base audio is adequate. An advanced sound system comes in the Exclusive Package and Burmester only in the $3,800 Pinnacle Package.

A configurable 10.25-in digital cluster is standard and shares the widescreen housing with the touchscreen.

MBUX receives over-the-air updates for infotainment and maps. This pre-MB.OS platform has no broad whole-vehicle feature OTA.

The Mercedes me app covers remote lock, locate, pre-conditioning and charge control. Some services need a paid renewal after the trial.

USB-C ports cover the front and second row. Wireless charging was a paid option (Exclusive Package) for 2023 and is of little use with wired-only CarPlay. There is no AC outlet or vehicle-to-load.

Keyless start and a power liftgate are standard. Proximity KEYLESS-GO entry and the hands-free liftgate cost extra, and the app gives remote unlock.

A rear camera and parking sensors are standard. Surround View is limited to the $3,800 Pinnacle Package.

A head-up display is optional through the $2,000 Technology Package rather than standard.

Tall, square door openings, a sliding second row and an optional kid-sized third row make family logistics easy. Cargo is tight with all three rows up.

Forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking and Blind Spot Assist are standard. Adaptive cruise and steering assist cost extra in the Driver Assistance Package, and neither NHTSA nor IIHS rated the 2023 EQB.

The second row is roomy for four, but luggage space behind it is modest. A 243-mile range on the 300 4MATIC and 100 kW peak DC charging mean frequent stops on long family trips.

Smooth, instant EV torque, a quiet cabin, selectable regen and an upright view make it a relaxed commuter. The Drive calls it 'a joy to drive in or around town', but the brake pedal is hard to modulate.

At 101 MPGe and an EPA energy cost of $750/yr, the 300 4MATIC is cheap to run on home charging, though not class-leading for an EV.

The compact footprint and upright glasshouse help, but surround view is limited to the Pinnacle Package. The 38.4-ft turning circle is only average.

There is no meaningful US tow rating and payload is modest. Range drops sharply under load, so this is not a work vehicle.

A luxury-trimmed interior and an EV powertrain with no fleet history make it a poor fit for hard use.

There is no onboard AC power or vehicle-to-load, and the upfit ecosystem is limited. Roof rails and cargo tie-downs are the only work provisions.

The ride is smooth and quiet on the highway. A 243-mile EPA range, 100 kW peak DC charging (about 32 min for 10–80%) and optional adaptive cruise limit it as a mile-eater.

Standard 4MATIC AWD on the 300 and roof rails handle gravel roads and ski trips. Low ground clearance (about 5.7 in) and limited range keep it near pavement.

The boxy body, a sliding 40/20/40 second row and 61.8 cu ft of maximum cargo swallow bulky gear well, though space behind the second row is modest.

Body roll is natural and well controlled for a 2.1-tonne tall EV, and adaptive damping was available for 2023. It is not engaging on twisty roads.

The steering is light and precise and builds weight sensibly at speed, with decent feedback for an electric crossover.

Measured stops are solid, but reviewers fault a pedal that is hard to modulate and jerky blending between regen and friction braking.

Dual-motor EV delivery is smooth and instant, with paddle-selectable regen levels. The 300 4MATIC is brisk enough (0–60 mph in about 7.6 s) without being urgent.

The motors are near-silent under load, and no reviewer flags whine or vibration.

An average turning circle for a compact SUV.

The high, upright seat gives good sightlines and easy entry. The pre-facelift steering wheel predates the 2024 all-haptic design, but the many MBUX input methods add some clutter.

It is pleasant and quick off the line around town, but it feels like an appliance on back roads.

Every 2023 EQB has standard 4MATIC dual motors, dual 10.25-inch MBUX screens, active lane-keeping, blind-spot and brake assist, wireless phone charging, an advanced audio system and keyless-go on the Exclusive trim. Heated seats and adaptive cruise are still extra-cost packages at $56k+.

At $56.8k–61.4k the 2023 EQB offers just 227–243 miles of EPA range and 100 kW DC charging, and there is no cheaper single-motor version for this year. Similarly priced EVs go farther and charge faster. The optional third row and the heavy lease subsidies are what keep its value fair.

The range is two dual-motor powertrains (300 and 350 4MATIC), each in Exclusive or Pinnacle trim, plus an optional 7-seat third row. There is no FWD or lower-priced entry version until the 2024 250+.

In 2023 the EQB was one of Mercedes' higher-volume EVs in the US, helped by the lease credit, but its absolute volume was small next to the GLC, X3 or NX.

The three-pointed star remains highly aspirational. The EQ sub-brand's steep depreciation has diluted that halo compared with Mercedes' combustion models.

From January 2023 the Inflation Reduction Act's $7,500 commercial clean-vehicle credit applied to leases, and Mercedes passed it through on EQB leases with MBFS lease cash stacked on top. That made the 2023 EQB one of the cheapest luxury-EV leases available.

2023 is the second US model year of the X243, a carry-over before the 2024 facelift brought updated MBUX and a larger-battery 250+. The platform is current, but a buyer in this year was one year away from a meaningful refresh.

Reviewers praise the upscale cabin, quiet ride and rare third row. They mark it down for short range, modest charging speed and a cramped third row, and it was not the pick in comparisons.