Mercedes EQB vs. Escalade IQ EV: Which One Wins?

Key Points

• The EQB is a compact luxury SUV with a 5-seater capacity, while the Escalade IQ is a large luxury SUV with a 7-seater capacity.
• The EQB comes in three main versions with three sub-trims each, offering a total of nine options, while the trims for the Escalade IQ have not yet been revealed.
• The EQB has power options ranging from 225 hp to 288 hp, while the Escalade IQ is expected to deliver between 277 hp and 600 hp.
• The EQB has a range of up to 243 miles, while the range for the Escalade IQ is still unknown.
• The EQB features a pair of 10.3-inch screens for infotainment, while the Escalade IQ is expected to have a digital dashboard spanning 38 inches with three curved OLED displays.

Every automaker is going all-electric, with many showing interest in the SUV segment of EV manufacturing. As some launch new models, others like Mercedes and Cadillac are converting their traditional gas-powered cars into EVs. 

As a result, we now have the Mercedes EQB and are expecting Cadillac’s Escalade IQ later this year. The EQB joins Mercedes’ EQ lineup as a re-engineered version of the gas-powered GLB-Class. The Escalade IQ, on the other hand, is the EV version of the gigantic Cadillac SUV, the Escalade. 

These two models are among the most promising electric SUVs, but how do they compare? Which one should you buy? Let’s find out.

Mercedes EQB vs. Escalade IQ: Side-by-Side Comparison

Mercedes EQB vs. Escalade IQ EV: What’s the Difference?

Mercedes introduced the EQB as a premium-priced SUV in 2021, and the sale began in 2022. It joined the German automaker’s other all-electric SUVs, the EQS and EQE. However, while the two were designed as electric vehicles from the ground up, the EQB is typically a GLB-Class model reworked to have an electric powertrain in place of a fuel engine. While this has taken a little from the fun and practical nature of the GLB, zero emissions are still worth the change.

The Cadillac Escalade IQ, like the EQB, is also a re-engineered version of a fuel-powered model but with the same name, the Escalade, which is one of the most gigantic SUVs on the market. It is yet to debut, but the American automaker says it should be available before the end of 2023.

The shifting of the powertrain for the Escalade is part of GM’s promise to turn Cadillac into a fully-electric car brand by the end of the decade. The Escalade IQ joins a list of other “IQ-suffixed” models like the luxury sedan Celestiq and the luxury EV SUV, the Lyriq. However, it is the first to have the “IQ” separated from the root name. It is worth noting that GM has revealed very little about the Escalade IQ.

Features and Trims

The Mercedes EQB comes in three main versions: the 300, 350, and 250+. Each trim level has three sub-trims: Premium, Exclusive, and Pinnacle. As a result, you can get up to nine options for the Mercedes EQB.

It is just as feature-filled as the gas version it seeks to unseat. It comes standard with a panoramic sunroof, several driver assistance features, and adjustable interior lighting. The Exclusive trim adds an upgraded audio system, massaging front seats, and wireless charging to the feature list, and the Pinnacle trim level features a better-sounding Burmeister audio system and 360-degree surround-view cameras.

GM has provided very little information about the number of trims to expect on the Escalade IQ, except for the fact that there will also be an Escalade IQL version. The nameplate is already trademarked, but we have to wait to find out whether it will be a long-base trim of the IQ or a model on its own.

However, if GM chooses to remain with the same trims as were available on the gas version of the Escalade, then we can expect at least 6 trims: the Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum, Sport Platinum, and V-series.

Power and Performance

The difference between the Mercedes EQB 300, 350, and the late entrant, the 250+, is the power, range, and software. The most common trim, the 300, delivers 225 hp and a torque of 288 lbs-ft while the upper trim, the 350, offers 288 hp and 384 lb-ft. With the 250+ model, you get less power and torque but a longer range than its more powerful siblings. It delivers 188 hp and a torque of 284 lb-ft.

Both the 300 and 350 EQB models are dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) SUVs. The 250+ is, however, a single-motor front-wheel drive. Despite their differences, they all depend on a 66.5kWh battery. The EQB is fast, but it can’t outperform the GLB-Class models. Mercedes claims that the 350 model can go from 0-60 mph in 6 seconds, and the 300 will take just one second longer. The speeds are also limited to 99 mph.

GM is tightlipped on the expected powertrain of the Escalade IQ. However, according to the manufacturer, we should expect the same technology and performance on the IQ model as on the fuel-powered version. This means the Escalade IQ will deliver between 277hp and 600hp and possibly 460 lb-ft of torque.

In terms of battery, we expect it to be Ultium-based, the electric vehicle platform by GM. The Chevrolet Silverado, Cadillac Celestiq, and Buick Electra 4 are some of the models already using it. In 2020, GM confirmed the rumors about an electric Cadillac Escalade-sized SUV (model not revealed) that will have a range of 400 miles and a 200kWh battery. Later, the automaker fitted a 200kWh battery on the GMC Hummer EV SUV and Pickup. Given that the Escalade IQ is a large 7-seater SUV, it wouldn’t be surprising if it comes with the same battery.

Range and Charging

There are no EPA ratings for the Mercedes EQB. However, the manufacturer advertises ranges of 243 miles and 227 miles for the 300 and 350 trims, respectively. The European World Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) rankings show a real-world range between 230 and 240 miles. The EQB 250+ range is expected to be above 250 miles, but there is very little evidence to back that up.

Since most luxury EV owners charge their cars at home, charging capability is an essential consideration. Mercedes has since amended the 10-100% 240V home charging time for the EQB from 11.25 hours to 7.5 hours. The 10% to 80% time drops to 32 minutes when charging using a 100kW fast charger.

The battery capacity, powertrain, and performance statistics are some of the unknowns about the Escalade IQ. However, if GMC keeps up with its “Watts to Freedom philosophy,” we expect a 200kWh battery in the Escalade IQ and a sub-four-seconds 0-60 sprint. The Escalade IQ might surpass or deliver the same 314-mile range as the Hummer EV SUV.

Infotainment

The Mercedes EQB comes with a pair of 10.3-inch screens instead of the two small twin screens on the GLB. Like other EVs, it has most of the controls bundled on the touchscreen. Though the controls are simple to master, fiddling with several menus while driving can be distracting. To get your attention off the touchscreen menu, the EBQ comes with button and knob controls for specific functions, such as aiming the air vents.

As a standard, all EQBs get the latest MBUX infotainment system. It is easy to use and intuitive, featuring steering wheel controls, voice control, a touchpad, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Satnav. For peripherals, there are four USB-C ports.

On the other hand, if the IQ is to have the same infotainment features as the combustion engine counterpart, then it will feature a digital dashboard spanning 38 inches, thanks to the layers of three curved OLED displays. The ICE-based Escalade also features an augmented reality navigation system, Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard.

Furthermore, Cadillac partnered with AKG, an award-winning sound company, to develop Escalade’s standard 19-speaker sound system. This will probably be featured in the EV version as well. Other infotainment features that we expect to be transferred to the Escalade IQ are the rear seat’s 12.6-inch touchscreens, remote start, and tri-zone climate control.

Comfort and Cargo Space

The Mercedes EQB is a 5-seater SUV with an upright shape that significantly increases interior space. It has sufficient space to make long rides comfortable for adult passengers, provided you stick to the two-row version. There is an optional third-row layout, but it is ideal for small kids. It takes up the cargo space as well.

Speaking of cargo space, the Mercedes EQB has a 22 cubic feet space behind the rear seats, down from the GLB’s 27 cubic feet. Folding the third-row rear seats leaves 62 cubic feet of cargo space.

Conversely, the Escalade IQ is expected to feature superior in-cabin luxury for maximum comfort. Adjustable ambient lighting and massaging seats that are standard in the engine-based Escalade will probably remain so in the Escalade IQ. It is also expected to offer sufficient legroom in the rear seats for tall passengers.

The gas-powered Escalade offers 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row installed, 72.9 cubic feet with only the second row in place, and a massive 121 cubic feet when all the rear seats are folded down. Also, the larger versions add about 20 cubic feet behind the third row. It is likely that the Escalade IQ will be just as spacious but with about 3 to 6 cubic feet taken up by the battery.

Safety

The Mercedes EQB comes with several premium active-safety features as a standard, such as automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. You can get more features such as adaptive cruise control, cross-traffic alerts, and more by purchasing the Driver Assistance package.

In terms of ratings, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are yet to crash-test and rank the Mercedes EQB. However, the European agency that conducts similar tests, EuroNCAP, gave it a top five-star rating.

Like Mercedes, Cadillac offers numerous active-safety features as a standard on its flagship models, such as the Escalade. They include AEBS, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist. All these will certainly be included in the Escalade IQ.

Warranty

Mercedes provides a basic warranty of 4 years/50,000 miles on the EQB. It also extends warranties of the same period/mileage on the drivetrain, corrosion, and roadside assistance.

Cadillac, on the other hand, provides the same standard warranty package across its models, which means a look at the warranty terms of the Celestiq would give an idea of what to expect with the Escalade IQ. On the luxury sedan, Cadillac offers a limited warranty of 4 years/50,000 miles and a powertrain warranty for 6 years/70,000 miles. It also covers electric components for 8 years/100,000 miles and complimentary maintenance on the first visit only.

Mercedes EQB vs. Escalade IQ EV: Similarities

• They are both luxury SUVs.
• Both are re-engineered versions of existing internal combustion engine versions.
• They have similar safety features as standard.

Mercedes EQB vs. Escalade IQ EV: 6 Must-Know Facts

• IQ is the EV sub-brand of Cadillac and already has two models, the Celestiq and Lyriq.
• The EQB 250+ is the cheapest of the three trims.
• EQB 250+ is the only Mercedes EQB model with a single motor and no AWD.
• The first-gen Mercedes EQB arrived in the U.S. in the fall of 2022, and the single-motor version in 2023.
• Escalade IQ and Mercedes EQB retain most of the design and tech features found on their fuel engine counterparts.
• Due to the addition of the battery pack, these EV versions have better stability than their ICE versions. 

Mercedes EQB vs. Escalade IQ EV: Pros and Cons

Mercedes EQB

Escalade IQ

Mercedes EQB vs. Escalade IQ EV: Which One Wins?

If you need a luxury EV today or before the end of the year, the Mercedes EQB is your vehicle of choice, as it is already available on the market. However, if you are a Cadillac lover or cannot settle for anything less than a large luxury EV, then the Escalade IQ might be worth the wait.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Scharfsinn/Shutterstock.com.