Mercedes EQA and EQB City Editions take aim at Tesla's range advantage

Mercedes-Benz has quietly added two new "City Edition" models to its electric lineup, giving the updated EQA 250+ and seven-seat EQB 250+ some extra AMG flair, panoramic glass roofs and a three-year service plan. Both models sneak under Australia's Luxury Car Tax threshold while promising up to 578 km on a single charge.

• Performance: 140 kW, 385 Nm, 0-100 km/h in 8.9 s

• Efficiency + Range: from 12.2 kWh/100 km, 578 km NEDC

• Design highlight: new 19-inch AMG bi-colour wheels with comfort suspension

• Safety headline: five-star ANCAP rating (valid to Dec 2025)

• Fleet teaser: 10-80% DC top-up in 30 min on 100 kW

The EQA 250+ City Edition starts at $80,700 while delivering 140 kW and 385 Nm, hitting 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds with efficiency of 12.2 kWh/100 km and a 578 km range. The EQB 250+ City Edition costs $85,400 with identical power and torque figures, the same 8.9-second sprint time, but slightly higher consumption at 12.5 kWh/100 km and 564 km range. Both models can charge from 10-80% in 30 minutes.

Performance & Drivability

A single front motor delivers 140 kW and 385 Nm to the road, pushing both SUVs to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds. The new comfort-tuned suspension soaks up city potholes nicely, while the low centre of gravity from that 70.5 kWh battery keeps body roll under control on twisty country roads. The steering feels responsive off-centre and you can adjust regenerative braking via paddles, which allows for near one-pedal driving in stop-start traffic.

Mercedes limits top speed to 160 km/h to preserve range, but the mid-range punch to 80 km/h is quite brisk, making motorway merges effortless. Refinement is classic EQ: nearly silent at cruise with minimal tyre noise despite those larger 19-inch wheels.

Design & Cabin Tech

Both City Editions get AMG Line styling with a gloss-black grille panel, dark-tinted glass and those eye-catching bi-colour alloys. A panoramic sliding roof brightens the cabin that's trimmed in ARTICO vegan leather and MICROCUT microfibre. Twin 10.25-inch screens run the latest MBUX with augmented-reality navigation, fingerprint login and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

Heated power seats with memory, ambient lighting and an Advanced Sound System come standard. The EQB adds a third seating row that folds flat when you need cargo space, plus a sliding second row offering up to 140 mm of extra legroom or boot depth.

Safety & Ownership

• Five-star ANCAP rating (2019 test, expires Dec 2025)

• 360° camera, active cruise, lane-keep, blind-spot, PRE-SAFE and nine airbags

• Five-year unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty; eight-year/160,000 km battery cover

• Three-year/45,000 km service plan and one year of free Chargefox public charging

Fleet Insights

• $3.1/100 km, saving about $10 per 100 km versus a petrol SUV

• 10-80% DC charge in 30 min; 11 kW AC home charge in around 6 hours

• 63 Mercedes-Benz dealers nationally, offering strong national coverage

• EQB's standard seven seats widen roster options for staff and clients

Sustainability Snapshot

• 12 kWh/100 km real-world energy use cuts running CO2 to near zero

• Seats use recycled microfibre; carpets made from fishing-net yarn

• High-voltage battery designed for second-life storage and 95% recyclability

Market Insights

Tesla's Model Y RWD is cheaper at $58.9k but offers a shorter 455 km WLTP range and slower 6.9 s sprint. Volvo's EX40 Single Motor costs $76.9k with 477 km range, while Hyundai's Ioniq 5 RWD asks $71k for 507 km and faster 10-80% charging in 18 minutes. The Mercedes twins fight back with premium cabins, glass roofs and included servicing, and the EQB stands alone with seven seats.

Verdict

The EQA 250+ City Edition hits the sweet spot for urban buyers who want long range and luxury without breaking the LCT ceiling, while the EQB 250+ adds family-friendly seating for five grand more. Both beat mainstream rivals for standard equipment and cost certainty. Test-drive them against Tesla Model Y, Volvo EX40 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 before you make your decision.