2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB. Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail

Beyond Tesla, the competition comes from Mercedes-Benz.

The German automaker's latest all-electric vehicle is a compact luxury SUV called EQB, which is based on its gas-powered cousin, GLB. Like GLB, EQB can accommodate up to 7 passengers-a unique feature of an all-electric SUV that has little competition except Tesla Model Y and the larger Model X.

EQB is the latest in a series of new electric vehicles launched by Mercedes-Benz. This is part of a huge commitment to invest more than 40 billion euros in pure electric vehicles by 2030. EQB 350 4MATIC is currently the only version to enter Canada. Its height and width are the same as GLB, but slightly longer, with an increase of 40 mm.

Its design is also significantly bolder-this is no ordinary three-pointed star. Unique features include the iconic black panel grille designed by Mercedes-Benz for electric vehicles, horizontal fiber optic light strips extending in the front and rear of the vehicle, and the electric blue tint in the front LED headlights. The light alloy wheels are designed in two or three colors and have a maximum size of 50 cm-unlike any other wheels on the road, the showstopper is a multi-spoke rose gold wheel.

Light alloy wheels are designed in two or three colors. Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail

A 66.5 kWh battery runs along the bottom of the EQB, so it does not take up engine room or cargo space. The dual electric motors produce 288 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive is standard, and front-wheel drive models are expected to be launched in 2023. According to the European Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) test cycle, the estimated cruising range is 419 kilometers. When these data are released, this number is expected to be lower in North America.

To charge, just plug in an alternating current (AC) charger or direct current (DC) fast charger.​​ The charging time from 10% to 80% using a DC fast charger is about 30 minutes.

Press the start button and EQB will start. This is refreshingly quiet and peaceful. When my car started driving at the Mercedes-Benz Center of Excellence in Sindelfingen, about 20 kilometers from Stuttgart, it had a mileage of approximately 350 kilometers and en route to the Black Forest region of southwestern Germany.

Along winding mountain roads, passing through quaint small villages, and on highways with unlimited speeds, the performance of the EQB 350 4MATIC is impeccable. Its ride and handling are impressive. It is stable, quiet, confident, and very fast.

Start at a standstill, step on the accelerator, and you will be thrown back into your seat. You can reach 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. Behind the steering wheel, it feels like a gasoline-powered GLB, not an electric car. After driving about 100 kilometers, the cruising range has dropped significantly to about 150 kilometers.

To be fair, I drove it on the highway where there is no speed limit and quickly and easily reached the electronically programmed 163 km limit. EQB drives at high speeds, confident, safe and well laid out. The semi-autonomous driving function is equally impressive.

For example, the adaptive cruise control system can read the speed limit signs on the road and adjust as needed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead-the driver will not step on the pedal. It is very convenient when the speed limit changes, often reducing 100 km/h to 50 km/h in a few seconds. The system runs smoothly and seamlessly.

You can also remove your hands from the steering wheel for a short period of time, about 15 seconds, and then the vehicle will remain in the center of the lane. It is one of the best systems on the market.

Inside, the cockpit is a legacy of GLB, with two smaller screens for accessing everything from navigation to entertainment systems. Unlike Mercedes-Benz's first electric car EQS, it does not have a large MBUX super screen, which is a 56-inch display that extends from pillar to pillar. This is not appropriate in a compact SUV.

The personal assistant in the car is great; it is easy to use and understand natural human language. Just use the keyword "Hey Mercedes" to participate. Say "Hey Mercedes, I'm cold" and the system will automatically raise the temperature, or say "Hey Mercedes, open the sun shade" and it will automatically unfold the sun shade on the skylight.

It executes all commands on the first attempt. You can even ask about the available range and where the nearest charging station is. Navigation with electric intelligence will also calculate and display the fastest route to the destination, taking into account the range, charging power, and the duration of possible stop charging. The system also ensures that the high-voltage battery has reached the optimal charging temperature before the planned charging stops.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB rolled off the production line at the company's plant in Kecskemét, Hungary. It will go on sale in the second quarter of 2022. The price has not yet been announced.

The EQB has a dual electric motor that produces 288 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail

Engine: Dual electric motors produce 288 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque

Fuel economy (liters/100 kilometers of cities and highways): None

Alternatives: Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model X, Audi Q4 e-tron, Jaguar I-Pace

EQB has more presence and personality than its gas-powered GLB cousin, thanks to its unique features, such as a solid black panel grille without vents-this is unnecessary because there is no engine to cool under the hood . The amazing multi-spoke rose gold wheels on my tester are amazing.

Although the EQB can accommodate up to 7 people, the third row is a bit tight for adults and it’s tricky to sit up. Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail

Available in five or seven seat configurations. The third row of seats is tight for adults. Getting into the third row is also tricky. Even if the second row slides 140 mm back and forth, it requires the skill of a contortionist to enter. However, once there, it does not make people feel claustrophobic. Double skylights make it feel airy and spacious. Four child seats can also be placed inside.

The acceleration of EQB is immediate, it sticks to the road like a comfortable sweater. Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail

Powerful, fast and flexible-it feels like you are driving a gasoline-powered GLB. EQB perfectly fits the road surface and provides instant acceleration as soon as you step on the accelerator. To relieve range anxiety, another 100 clicks on the electric range would be good.

A full-color display and navigation system with augmented reality displays information for the driver. Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail

Equipped with semi-autonomous driving functions, such as active lane keeping assist, active brake assist and adaptive cruise control, it can read the speed limit sign and adjust the speed as needed without driver input. A full-color head-up display and a navigation system with augmented reality function display information for the driver.

The EQB's trunk is estimated to have 150 liters of space. Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail

Surprisingly, there is no front luggage compartment-hoses and heat pumps occupy this space, which is not common in all-electric vehicles. The space behind the third row is very small-there is no official figure for the exact quantity, but I estimate it is about 150 to 160 liters. If extra space is needed, the third row of seats can also be folded flat to the floor. It is easy to enter the cargo area. You can even kick under the rear bumper to open or close the tailgate.

Mercedes-Benz leads the competition with its new EQB all-electric compact SUV.

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