We got our first glimpse of what to expect from Mercedes' all-electric crossover-in-feel SUV, the EQB, at the 2021 Shanghai Motor Show in April1]

The German automaker announced that the GLB-class crossover SUV will feature premium interior with seating for up to seven passengers, the automaker announced Mercedes followed this initial announcement with a sort of formal unveiling at the IAA Mobility event in Munich

The production version of the Mercedes-Benz EQB is exactly what was hinted at in the Shanghai announcement, but this is a more concrete example of how seriously Mercedes is trying to challenge Tesla and its hugely popular Model Y

Following the official announcement at the Munich show, Mercedes-Benz revealed that the model for the UK market will be built at its plant in Hungary, where the GLB is already being produced, and that production has already begun The car is expected to be delivered to the US in early 2022, but should be available in the UK by the end of the year

Pricing has yet to be confirmed by Mercedes-Benz, but estimates put the EQB 300 at around $50,000 A fully equipped EQB 350 in the US could cost close to $70,000 upon arrival in North America

However, budget-conscious buyers will be able to get a front-drive version for under $40,000 once this model arrives further down the road Its potential affordability would be attractive to those looking to enter the realm of premium German car ownership

The large but not bulky Mercedes-Benz EQB, with its crossover SUV proportions, will also come with a decent set of performance and range statistics Initially, the EQB 300 4Matic, a four-wheel-drive model with 225 bhp, and the punchy EQB 350 with 288 bhp will be available, with a 0-62 mph time of 62 seconds

This is 18 seconds faster than the entry-level model However, neither EQB model will set the world on fire with a top speed of 99 mph However, neither EQB model will set the world on fire with a top speed of 99 mph

The models will be powered by a 66 kWh battery and should have a range of about 260 miles from a full charge Mercedes-Benz has hinted that a longer-range version is also in the works, but there is no information on the possible range

Another variant, the front-wheel-drive EQB 250, should appear next year Meanwhile, the EQB 300 and EQB 350 are expected to appear in North America early in the new year

If you want to know the size of the Mercedes-Benz EQB, look in the direction of the base GLB

In terms of space offered, the dimensions are similar, with the electric SUV measuring 1847 inches compared to the GLB's 1736 inches If you need more space and lots of seating, this would be quite a step up from the smaller Mercedes EQA Before we get to the interior, the exterior has a similar design theme to the smaller Mercedes-Benz EQA

Indeed, the EQB utilizes drivetrain components from that model, and the looks are certainly along the same lines On the other hand, other areas, such as the light bands, incorporate styling touches from the Mercedes-Benz EQC

Those who can afford it can also have the EQB fitted with the AMG Styling Pack and 20-inch wheels that outperform the standard 18- or 20-inch wheels

The bubbly blurb used to advertise the Mercedes-Benz EQB promises safety, space, and a high level of comfort, three things anyone buying a car like the EQB should reasonably expect And from what we can see, things will be quite similar to the interior already seen in the MLB, although it certainly seems to live up to the enthusiast message on MB's website

The car for the US market will have a five-passenger layout, but those who want a seven-passenger car can push adults up to 5'4" into the back three rows if necessary The height limitation is probably due to the location of the car's battery pack

Another advantage is that the rear seats fold down individually If you have a growing family or need to move a lot of stuff from A to B on a regular basis, while not skimping on comfort, the Mercedes EQB could be the electric SUV you've been waiting for

Indeed, with three rows of seats plus a spacious load capacity totaling 1,710 liters (6289 cubic feet), the Mercedes-Benz EQB should be able to meet most people's needs But it also benefits from Mercedes' latest interior

The flamboyance of the gaudy pale pink and electric blue trim makes the EQB pop if you're looking at it from the inside, especially when it comes to the eye-catching HVAC outlets and its turbine-style design 103-inch digital instrument cluster and infotainment display provide excellent technology options

For example, the augmented reality navigation system looks pretty cool as it helps optimize charging options, especially on longer runs

Mercedes-Benz isn't just going after the very popular Tesla Model Y with its new all-electric EQB model Volkswagen's ID4 and the aforementioned Audi Q4 E-tron are both models that could be avoided if buyers are tempted by their spaciousness, premium features, and rich interior technology

The only reason to resist temptation is the exterior looks

Another area where Mercedes-Benz may struggle alongside the competition is in terms of range: if the EQB can travel 260 miles on a single charge, it will be outpaced by cars like the Tesla Model Y, which can travel 300 miles on a full battery It would be Similarly, the Audi Q4 E-tron can cover more than 300 miles, beating the EQB based on current statistics

Perhaps MB needs to put on skates with its mooted long-range version to ensure that people do not avoid this crossover SUV in search of a model that can go farther and longer More on this news to follow