To B or EQB: Mercedes-Benz EOB 850 4Matic Review

The worst part of a pun is explaining it, but what's even worse is the assumption that everyone would understand it, more so if you're a car and bike reviewer.

- SYED SHIRAZ SHAH

Therefore, since I know that not everyone understands cars and Shakespeare equally well, I have to clarify that I am referring to the GLB in the heading above.

But, this isn't an outright comparison. I have just used that heading for two reasons: a) it's a good pun (I don't care if you disagree), and b) I am hoping that if you're someone who's confused between the two, by the end of this story you'll know which one is better for YOUR needs.

Plus, I will give you some behind-the-scenes information as well, because that's imperative, and you'll soon know why...See, by now, all auto manufacturers selling vehicles in India are fully aware of my "personal" dislike for electric vehicles. However, the intelligent ones among them also know that I don't let my personal preferences affect my reviews.

So, while I prefer vehicles that either threaten to kill me (my own RD350s, and most liter-class missiles) or are incredible fun even at 5 km/h (offroad vehicles with ultra-low reduction ratios), and dream about driving the CLK-GTR someday, my professional side would review even an electric bicycle happily for its intended customer.

That's my job. Moreover, when a company that INVENTED THE AUTOMOBILE, gives you one of their electric cars to review, you need to shut up even if you're Jeremy Clarkson, and review the vehicle properly with zero biases involved.

I must also mention that my angst isn't really with the electric vehicles per se, but with the preposterous and downright hypocritical claims of saving the world with EVs. No, my dear "EVonly" manufacturers, you aren't polluting any less than ICE vehicle manufacturers overall; on the contrary, in the long run, you would have done more damage to the environment than the ICE industry.

But that's a topic for some other day, and Mercedes-Benz anyway don't make such silly claims, and they have my respect for that.