The Mercedes EQB might have launched as recently as 2021, but it’s already one of Mercedes’ oldest models in its all-electric EQ line up, so a refresh is on the cards.
Unlike the EQE and EQS SUVs, the EQB isn’t a bespoke, ground-up electric car. It sits on the MFA2 platform – an architecture that also underpins internal-combustion engined cars such as the GLB – which will also gain a facelift in 2023.
We’ve spotted the refreshed EQB testing on the public road and minimal camouflage suggests a full reveal could happen sometime this year. Like the GLB, the overall exterior changes will be kept to a minimum, but we could see some big adjustments underneath.
The front of this test car is clad in light camouflage but the headlights look unchanged from before. The blanked-off grille may take on some design inspiration from the newer EQE and EQS and we could see reshaped air intakes to the side. The rear looks the same, aside from the covered light bar which we suspect is hiding a new LED light signature design.
The EQB uses the same interior design as its internal-combustion engined GLB counterpart – something the S-Class and similarly sized EQS, plus the EQE and E-Class don’t have in common. The 11.9-inch portrait touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument panel could make its way over from the new GLC, although Mercedes is probably more likely to retain the dual 10.25-inch screens for this facelift. The latest MBUX infotainment will feature and will be updated for years to come, despite Mercedes’ new MB.OS system coming in 2024.
Seven-seat electric cars are few and far between but the EQB will continue to offer this as it’s USP, going up against the Tesla Model Y and even the upcoming Volkswagen ID.Buzz LWB.
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