New electric seven-seat option for Aussie families

Need a three-row SUV that won’t cost a fortune to run? This stylish newcomer is the only one of its kind available in showrooms today.

The Mercedes-Benz EQB is the only electric seven-seat car on sale.

This could be the best electric car option for Australian families.

Based on the Mercedes-Benz GLB, the new Mercedes EQB crossover combines green credentials with seven-seat versatility.

The Mercedes-Benz EQB is available with two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive traction.

It’s the only seven seat electric car on sale, as Tesla is not currently accepting orders for its Model X, and Korea’s Hyundai Ioniq 7 and Kia EV9 duo are not available yet.

Which means the electric Mercedes-Benz EQB is the only option for electric car customers who need more than five seats.

The EQB has more than 350 kilometres of electric range.

Priced from $87,800 plus on-road costs as a five-seater, the new Mercedes EQB 250 is available with an extra for of seats for a further $2900.

The EQB 250 drives the front wheels with a 140kW/385Nm electric motor linked to a 66.5kWh battery delivering 371 kilometres of range.

That’s the same hardware found in the slightly smaller EQA, which costs $11,000 less. The electric EQB costs $27,900 more than a petrol-powered two-wheel-drive GLB 200, or $13,900 more than all-wheel-drive GLB 250.

Mercedes-Benz EQB models accept up to 100kW from fast-charging sites.

Customers who want more power can pick the all-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz EQB that uses two motors to deliver a combined 215kW and 520Nm, which delivers a 6.2-second dash to 100km/h at the cost of a slightly reduced 360 kilometres of range.

The all-wheel-drive model costs $106,700 plus on-roads and is not available with seven seats.

Both variants have twin 10.25-inch displays, artificial leather, multi-colour ambient lighting and dual-zone climate control.

The Mercedes-Benz EQB is loaded with tech.

A comprehensive array of driver aids includes active cruise control, auto emergency braking, lane keeping assistance and a 360-degree camera.

The EQB accepts charge at a maximum rate of 100kW, which is a little slower than rival machines sold by Tesla, Kia and Hyundai.