Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class vs Mercedes-Benz EQB

What's the difference?

The ‘Upper Large SUV over $120K’ segment of the Aussie new-car market is what you might call the top end of town, not only in terms of the extravagant models available but also their purchase prices, which stretch well into six figures and require monthly lease payments that rival home mortgages.

It’s where you’ll find some of the most prestigious marques in the automotive world including Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Range Rover, Lexus and BMW. And, of course, Mercedes-Benz with its big GLS which represents the flagship of the German manufacturer’s SUV fleet.

It was given a refresh in 2023 with cosmetic and multimedia upgrades along with powertrain enhancements, but there have only been minor changes since then. We were recently entrusted with the keys to the latest GLS to see if the ‘S-Class of SUVs’ leaves any room for improvement.

When the GLB arrived in Australia in 2020 it did so to much fanfare as the little premium SUV which could do it all.

It had seven-seats, ideal dimensions slotting underneath the mid-size GLC, the option of all-wheel drive, and even a go-fast AMG version to boot.

Now, the clever little luxury SUV can add another headline feature - it’s gone fully electric.

The EQB, like the EQA before it, follows the formula of its donor car to a T, being familiar for an existing Mercedes buyer whilst also making the jump to a fully electric drivetrain.

For now it comes in two variants, a two-wheel drive with seven seats, and a five-seat all-wheel drive which leans more on the performance aspect of its electric drivetrain. Is the trade-off worth it?

The answer is: It depends. Read on to find out why.