The Mercedes-Benz EQB shouldn’t be a very nice electrical automobile to purchase new. (Sure, is; they nonetheless make it.) A base 2024 EQB 250+ begins at $53,050, providing a front-wheel-drive powertrain and an okay vary of 251 miles. In order for you a dual-motor mannequin with some first rate choices, you’ll simply encroach upon the $60,000 vary. However right here’s the deal: the Mercedes-Benz EQB isn’t a foul automobile; it simply prices means an excessive amount of cash model new. However you may all the time go for a used one. And used EQBs are much more inexpensive.
There are actually quite a few EQBs listed on the market under the $30,000 mark. And a few of these used ones have simply a number of thousand miles on the odometer. In comparison with unique costs beginning at round $55,000, we’re seeing a roughly $25,000 drop in worth. In some circumstances, these vehicles weren’t even registered for a full yr, which means they’ll include three years of fundamental guarantee.
The EQB was already depreciating a very good bit, primarily as a result of not-so-great specs for the steep worth. But additionally, Hertz is offloading a bunch of former rental items.
Whereas some patrons could also be involved about shopping for an ex-rental, the costs paired with the substantial remaining warranties are noteworthy.
One instance is a 2023 EQB 250+ listed for $29,900. Whereas it’s a former rental, it was registered in October 2023 and has simply 5,200 miles on the odometer. Based mostly on the CarFax report, it’ll have 37 months or 44,800 miles left for the essential guarantee. Assuming this automobile doesn’t have any added choices (a number of Hertz automobiles don’t come well-equipped), this automobile is already down 44.5% in worth. That is dangerous for the primary purchaser however nice for the used buyer.
For many who don’t desire a former rental, there are nonetheless some nice choices. One California-based Mercedes-Benz vendor had a Licensed Pre-Owned 2022 EQB 350 4MATIC listed lately for $30,999. This one has simply 8,600 miles on the odometer together with 44 months of limitless mileage bumper-to-bumper guarantee left (because of the CPO guarantee). In different phrases, in lower than 10,000 miles, the second purchaser can save 48.5% when in comparison with the unique $60,200 sticker.
Based mostly on these costs, used is unquestionably the way in which to go along with the EQB. However must you go forward and purchase one? And should you do, is there something you must think about?
The Mercedes-Benz EQB: Tech Specs
The EQB first hit the U.S. market as a 2022 mannequin yr. The electrical crossover makes use of the MFA platform, which might accommodate each inside combustion and electrical flavors. For the electrical choices, it additionally powers the EQA, although it is just out there abroad. For North People on the lookout for the least costly Mercedes electrical product, the EQB is it.
The EQB is a midsize crossover that is available in at 184.4 inches, roughly the identical size because the Kia EV6 (184.3 inches). It presents a 70.5 kWh battery pack, of which 66.5 is usable. This leads to 245 miles of vary for the front-wheel-drive fashions and 221 or 232 miles for the all-wheel-drive ones. (For 2024, vary received boosted barely on the FWD mannequin, however it’s right down to 205 for the EQB 300 and 207 for the EQB 350, respectively.)
The EQB’s battery pack can settle for a most of 100 kW on a DC quick charger. This isn’t notably notable, however its real-world efficiency is genuinely spectacular because of a flat charging curve. An impartial check revealed a mean of 93.8 kW from 10 to 80%. Fascinatingly, a Tesla Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary (250 kW peak) solely averaged 99.1 kW from 10 to 80% in one other third-party check. In different phrases, the EQB’s 100 kW peak ranking may be very conservative.
Nonetheless, the EQB is heavy. The bottom EQB 250+ weighs in at a plump 4,497 kilos, which is hefty for an EV of its footprint. The 300 is available in at 4,630 kilos and the 350 suggestions the size at 4,718. For reference, the Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary All-Wheel Drive weighs 4,398 kilos, lower than even the front-wheel-drive EQB. Not solely does the Y have a bigger battery with extra vary, however it’s bigger, quicker, and extra spacious.
Trims And Gear
All 2023 EQB fashions include the selection of three trims: Premium, Unique, and Pinnacle. The Premium trim comes as customary and presents an honest array of options. It comes with distant cabin preconditioning, power-folding mirrors, ambient lighting, aluminum roof rails, leather-based steering wheel, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto performance, and an influence tailgate. Security options are restricted blind spot monitoring, ahead collision warning, and automated emergency braking. Adaptive cruise management, lane centering, and different security options all value additional.
Improve to the Unique model for $1,250 and in comes a 10-speaker and 225-watt Superior Sound System, hands-free tailgate opening, and wi-fi cellphone charging. The $3,800 Pinnacle package deal comes with all the pieces within the Unique plus 12-speaker and 590-watt Burmester sound system, sunroof, and a surround-view digicam. Mercedes additionally presents a $1,250 choice to get third-row seats, making it the smallest three-row electrical crossover on the market.
Drivers wanting options equivalent to heated seats, adaptive cruise management, and lane centering should pay for these individually. When looking used choices, it’s finest to find the automobile’s unique window sticker to verify it has all the specified choices.
For the 2024 mannequin yr, Mercedes eradicated all trims except for the Pinnacle. It lowered the improve worth to $2,800 versus $3,800, however now requires the sunroof to be bought individually for $1,500.
For many who crave extra choices, it’s finest to have a look at 2022 mannequin years. These had been solely shipped in Unique or Pinnacle guise. Lots of the ex-rentals on the market are base Premium choices, so that you’ll miss out on all of the goodies from the higher-spec ones.
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 4MATIC in European specification
Any Areas Of Concern?
Whereas the EQB remains to be a comparatively new automobile in the marketplace, there have been some points reported with the automobile. Some house owners report points associated to the coolant system monitor and the automobile throwing random codes like “excessive voltage battery malfunction.”
Merely put, it’s a comparatively new automobile made by an organization that isn’t notably finest recognized for reliability. Should you’re craving one thing extra dependable, one thing tried and examined just like the Tesla Mannequin Y will likely be extra comforting.
But when three years of guarantee is adequate with you, not less than there’s a security web there in case issues do go awry.
Ought to I Purchase One?
Used Mercedes EQBs have already come down in worth considerably. In comparison with the brand new worth, shopping for used is clearly the way in which to go along with the EQB. However who’s to say how way more these vehicles will depreciate? Heck, the as soon as six-figure EQS merchandise are actually simply attainable for round $45,000.
However used EQBs aren’t the one stable deal floating round. One of the crucial notable is the Volvo C40 Recharge, which truly sells for much less secondhand than the EQB. It presents comparable vary and barely lowered charging capabilities, however presents much better efficiency with a sharper design.
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 Exterior
There are another good used electrical crossovers out there in the identical worth vary as effectively. The Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Ford Mustang Mach-E are only a few cool choices which have additionally come down in worth considerably.
However for many who need the Mercedes badge and construct, the EQB shouldn’t be a foul selection. Particularly for $30,000, you’re wanting on the identical worth level as a brand new base-spec Ford Bronco Sport. You’re nonetheless getting first rate vary, good charging, and a properly appointed inside. And better of all, you gained’t be the one who misplaced round $25,000 within the first yr.
Andrew Lambrecht is a contributor at InsideEVs and an industrial engineering scholar at Clemson College. Along with InsideEVs, Andrew writes for Forbes Wheels and Enterprise Insider, overlaying the transportation sector.
