Mercedes-Benz GLB and EQB Rohit G Mane

Mercedes-Benz GLB and EQB launched at ₹63.8 lakh and ₹74.5 lakh respectively

Mercedes-Benz GLB and EQB become the most affordable seven-seater SUVs in the brand's line-up

Mercedes-Benz continues its onslaught on the luxury car market and has launched two new SUVs, the GLB and EQB at ₹63.8 lakh and ₹74.5 lakh respectively. The GLB gets two powertrain options: petrol and diesel, while the EQB, as the name suggests, comes with an all-electric powertrain. It comes with one battery and motor combination option. The two seven-seater SUVs are essentially successors to the long-forgotten B-Class. However, they also aim to plug the gap left vacant by the sold-out GLC.

The scale of Merecedes-Benz GLB and EQB look similar but what lies underneath is very differentMercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz GLB and EQB design

On the design front, the Mercedes-Benz GLB and EQB are of the same scale. They share the same platform even though one is fossil-fueled and the other is electric. The GLB looks like a full-grown SUV with a high-set bonnet and tall shoulders, but with shrunken down dimensions. The rear reminds you of the GLS which is a good thing but the design is subjective so I will leave that up to you.

It is only slightly narrower than the GLC but the cabin is longer and taller which makes for increased cabin space. The EQB on the other hand as said before is based on the GLB and the sacrifice of that comes when you step into the car. The floor is set slightly higher which eats up ground clearance and legroom as the battery is fitted inside the floor of the car. It has the exact same shoulder lines but the swooping headlights integrated with the front grille and the connected taillamps give it a different look.

Both Merecedes-Benz GLB and EQB get two 10.25-inch screens for the centre console and instrument cluster.Rohit G Mane

The floor of the Mercedes-Benz EQB is a bit high due to the batteryRohit G Mane

Mercedes-Benz GLB and EQB Interior

Both of the SUVs get familiar-looking interiors with two 10.25-inch screens taking centre stage. The GLB gets a micro-fibre black upholstery while the EQB gets fake leather treatment combined with fabric. The steering though is wrapped in Nappa leather.

The front seats are electrically adjustable and the middle row can slide up to 140mm to make space for people in the third row. The boot space with the third row in use is only 110 litres in the EQB and 130 litres in the GLB. With the third row folded you get 465 litres in the EQB and 500 litres in the GLB. The middle row can be folded too which gets you over 1000 litres of space.

The Mercedes-Benz EQB comes with a 66.5kWh battery with a WLTP claimed range of 423kmRohit G Mane

Mercedes-Benz GLB and EQB drivetrain and performance

The Mercedes-Benz GLB gets two powertrain options — one being a 1.4-litre turbo petrol in the GLB 200 which produces 161bhp and 250Nm mated to a seven-speed DSG and the other being a 2-litre diesel engine powering either the front wheels or all four in the top-spec GLB 220d 4Matic variant. The diesel produces 188bhp and 400Nm and is mated to an eight-speed DSG. It can do 0-100kmph in 7.6 seconds.

The EQB comes in a single EQB 300 variant in India and gets a 66.5kWh battery with a WLTP claimed range of 423km. It makes 225bhp and 390Nm. Since both of the vehicles are CBUs it makes sense for Mercedes-Benz to not bring the 350 as they won't be able to price it competitively. Mercedes also claims to set up 140 charging stations across India and gives its customers free charging up to one year.

The EQB carries a 469kg battery which makes it a fair bit heavy over the GLBRohit G Mane

Mercedes-Benz GLB and EQB chassis

Both these SUVs are based on the same monocoque platform and the EQB is not based on the dedicated EV platform that the likes of the EQS are based on. Mercedes-Benz has given the GLB and EQB steel springs and not air suspension. The EQB carries a 469kg battery which makes it a fair bit heavy over the GLB and the ground clearance is also compromised because of the same. The EQB gets a ground clearance of only 155mm. The EQB rides on 18-inch wheels compared to the 19-inch ones on the GLB.

Mercedes-Benz GLB and EQB pricing and rivals

Mercedes-Benz has launched the GLB 200 at ₹63.8 lakh, GLB 200d and GLB 200d 4Matic at ₹66.8 lakh and ₹69.8 lakh. The EQB 300 4Matic at ₹74.5 lakh. At this price, the GLB does not have any direct competitors. The EQB too doesn’t have any direct rivals but will compete with the likes of the BMW i4 and Volvo XC40 Recharge at that price point.

Would you pick the petrol, diesel or electric out of the two seven-seater SUVs? Read our first-drive review of the Mercedes-Benz GLB and EQB or watch the Youtube video to find out more about them.

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