The Mercedes-Benz EQB will not 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. If you would like a dual-motor mannequin with some respectable choices, you’ll simply encroach upon the $60,000 vary. However right here’s the deal: the Mercedes-Benz EQB isn’t a nasty automobile; it simply prices method an excessive amount of cash model new. However you possibly can all the time go for a used one. And used EQBs are way more reasonably priced.
There are actually quite a few EQBs listed on the market beneath the $30,000 mark. And a few of these used ones have simply a number of thousand miles on the odometer. In comparison with authentic costs beginning at round $55,000, we’re seeing a roughly $25,000 drop in worth. In some circumstances, these automobiles weren’t even registered for a full 12 months, which means they’ll include three years of fundamental guarantee.
The EQB was already depreciating a very good bit, primarily because of the not-so-great specs for the steep worth. But in addition, 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 fundamental guarantee. Assuming this automobile doesn’t have any added choices (loads of Hertz autos don’t come well-equipped), this automobile is already down 44.5% in worth. That is unhealthy 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 supplier had a Licensed Pre-Owned 2022 EQB 350 4MATIC listed not too long ago 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 (due to 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 certainly the way in which to go along with the EQB. However do you have to go forward and purchase one? And should you do, is there something you must take into account?
The Mercedes-Benz EQB: Tech Specs
The EQB first hit the U.S. market as a 2022 mannequin 12 months. The electrical crossover makes use of the MFA platform, which might accommodate each inner combustion and electrical flavors. For the electrical choices, it additionally powers the EQA, although it’s only out there abroad. For North Individuals in search of 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 affords 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 bought boosted barely on the FWD mannequin, but it surely’s all the way 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 due to a flat charging curve. An unbiased 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 score could 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, but it surely’s bigger, sooner, and extra spacious.
Trims And Tools
All 2023 EQB fashions include the selection of three trims: Premium, Unique, and Pinnacle. The Premium trim comes as commonplace and affords a good 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 price further.
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 bundle comes with every thing within the Unique plus 12-speaker and 590-watt Burmester sound system, sunroof, and a surround-view digicam. Mercedes additionally affords a $1,250 choice to get third-row seats, making it the smallest three-row electrical crossover on the market.
Drivers wanting options akin to heated seats, adaptive cruise management, and lane centering should pay for these individually. When looking used choices, it’s greatest to find the automobile’s authentic window sticker to verify it has all the specified choices.
For the 2024 mannequin 12 months, Mercedes eradicated all trims apart from the Pinnacle. It lowered the improve worth to $2,800 versus $3,800, however now requires the sunroof to be offered individually for $1,500.
For many who crave extra choices, it’s greatest to take a look at 2022 mannequin years. These have been solely shipped in Unique or Pinnacle guise. Most 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 homeowners 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 greatest identified for reliability. For those who’re craving one thing extra dependable, one thing tried and examined just like the Tesla Mannequin Y will probably be extra comforting.
But when three years of guarantee is enough with you, at the least there’s a security internet 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 automobiles 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 vital notable is the Volvo C40 Recharge, which really sells for much less secondhand than the EQB. It affords comparable vary and barely lowered charging capabilities, however affords 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 will not be a nasty 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 respectable 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 12 months.
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, masking the transportation sector.
