Compare the2025 Mercedes EQBVS 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric

The EQB’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Mercedes EQB has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The EQB offers an optional Post Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The EQB offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The EQB offers optional Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the EQB and the Kona Electric have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The Mercedes EQB weighs 761 to 1257 pounds more than the Hyundai Kona Electric. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The EQB has more powerful engines than the Kona Electric:

	Horsepower	Torque
EQB 250+ electric motor	188 HP	284 lbs.-ft.
EQB 300 electric motors	225 HP	288 lbs.-ft.
EQB 350 electric motors	288 HP	383 lbs.-ft.
Kona Electric SE electric motor	133 HP	188 lbs.-ft.
Kona Electric SEL/Limited/N-Line electric motor	201 HP	188 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the EQB 350 electric motors is faster than the Kona Electric SEL/Limited/N-Line:

	EQB	Kona Electric
Zero to 60 MPH	5.6 sec	7.1 sec
Quarter Mile	14.4 sec	15.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.1 MPH	93.2 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the EQB 250+ FWD gets better mileage than the Kona Electric N-Line (114 city/100 hwy vs. 113 city/93 hwy MPGe).

The EQB can travel longer on a full charge than the Kona Electric on a full charge:

			Miles
EQB
	FWD	250+ Electric Motor	250 miles
	AWD	350 Electric Motors	206 miles
		300 Electric Motors	205 miles
Kona Electric
	FWD	N-Line Electric Motor	230 miles
		SE Electric Motor	200 miles

For better stopping power the EQB’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kona Electric:

	EQB	Kona Electric
Front Rotors	13 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	11.8 inches

For better traction, the EQB has larger tires than the Kona Electric (235/50R19 vs. 215/60R17).

The EQB’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Kona Electric’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the EQB has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Kona Electric. The EQB’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Kona Electric N-Line.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the EQB can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The EQB offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Kona Electric’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The EQB’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the EQB’s wheelbase is 6.7 inches longer than on the Kona Electric (111.4 inches vs. 104.7 inches).

The EQB offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Kona Electric can only carry 5.

The EQB has .7 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more rear headroom and 1.7 inches more rear legroom than the Kona Electric.

The EQB’s cargo area provides more volume than the Kona Electric.

	EQB	Kona Electric
Third Seat Removed	25.9 cubic feet	25.5 cubic feet

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the EQB. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

When three different drivers share the EQB, the memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver and front passenger’s seat positions, suspension setting, power steering assist, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer a memory system.

The EQB’s standard easy entry and exit feature glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The EQB offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The EQB’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Kona Electric’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. With the Kona Electric N-Line/Limited’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the EQB the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Kona Electric can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The EQB’s standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Proximity Key standard on the Kona Electric doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The EQB’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Kona Electric’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the EQB to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the EQB offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer cornering lights. The EQB also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

When the EQB is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Kona Electric’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The EQB’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Kona Electric offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Mercedes EQB has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are not standard on all versions of the Kona Electric.

The EQB offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Kona Electric.

Both the EQB and the Kona Electric offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the EQB has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes EQB has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Kona Electric N-Line/Limited offers wireless charging.