Think people-mover in New Zealand and there isn’t a lot of choice. Hyundai‘s Staria van and Honda‘s Odyssey may grab the top-of-mind headlines due to the cost and family budgets, but it’s easy to forget the Mercedes-Benz V-Class.
Available as a rear-drive turbo diesel, and often used as premium people transport at airports around the world, at $136,000 the V-Class represents good value for money – at least in comparison to the new all-electric EQV, that’s front-drive and $166,000, a $30k premium for electric motivation. That’s a lot of diesel.
The EQV forms part of a four-van model line-up starting from $101k, including the eVito and eSprinter commercially minded versions, and the EQV passenger/people mover.
If you’re in the market for a premium seven-seat Mercedes-Benz van, then ours is not to beg the question of affordability, merely present the experience of a week in the EQV.
And what a week it was, during school holidays, with three van-loving kids, and time to play, seat and even (attempt to) sleep in it.
The smart practicalities of the V-Class carry over, including the second and third-row of seats mounted on rails, with integrated seat belts, meaning they are modular in design and use, allowing the second row of two captains chairs to be reversed, or even totally removed thanks to a tricky lever, rail and hook system that allows the seats and rails and rear parcel shelf to be completely removed offering the total practicality of a two-seat van – assuming the biceps are up for it, as each seat is north of 20kg.
The headline here, however, is the EQ battery EV system, using a single motor to the front wheels, with a range up to 343km – it can be on the thirsty side, though, and the claim of 29.06kW/h is certainly on the high side; 2710kg without driver or passengers tends to do that. Though, to be fair, we managed mid-20s during our week. Anecdotally, fully loaded with seven occupants and luggage, it’s quite feasible to meet the vehicle’s maximum gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3500kg.
Charging the big 90kWh battery takes as quick as 45 mins (from 10-80 per cent) up to 110kW on a DC fast charger, or as slow as 10 hours (0-100kWh) on an 11kW AC home wallbox. Multiply that by around 3-4 for domestic three-pin use.
With 0-100km/h in the 12-second range, it feels faster at lower speeds under 80km/h, devoid of that sudden rush of often-annoying electric power, and without a hint of hoonish wheelspin – also featuring steering paddles to adjust to one of five rates of battery regeneration, down to basically brake-less one-pedal driving. EQV is actually rather pleasant and pleasing to drive, quiet and smooth, while being comforting and refined, showcasing the hallmarks of the brand.
Dual electric sliding rear doors are perfectly practical, as they also are in the diesel V-Class. As are the pair of collapsible plastic shopping boxes on the parcel shelf; very handy.
Up front, power electric, heated, memory seats with lumbar are very comfy, while the MBUX system offers all the usual Mercedes functions such as voice command, into the 10.25-in touchscreen, with Apple/Android compatibility. Climate conditioning (while charging) is also an EV-specific feature.
Standard AIRMATIC suspension offers a cushy ride, befitting of its purpose, plus a suite of safety and tech gear including DISTRONIC Active Distance Assist cruise control, 360° camera with dynamic guidelines, driver and co-driver airbags (front, thorax and window), window bags from the A to D pillars, Active Parking Assist, Active Brake Assist, Hill-Start Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Crosswind Assist, an LED Intelligent Light System with Highbeam Assist Plus and sensors, and rain-sensing wipers. Got all that?!
Good, because there is some bad news: the tech is basically all a geneation old in Mercedes life cycle - which isn't old, by any means, across the automotive world, but in a premium segment where the latest is the greatest, things like a keyfob that you have to actually press buttons on (and there are a lot of buttons on it!), and insert into a slot in the dash and twist, is getting a bit old hat.
There’s also a premium Burmester surround sound audio system, semi-automatic rear air conditioning, plus a few EQV black and chrome exterior highlights including an AMG spoiler lip.
The EQV vehicle is covered by a five-year, unlimited-km, and eight years/160,000km for the battery. Servicing is recommended once a year or every 40,000km (whichever occurs first).
Possibly the biggest challenger for the EQV is the regular V-Class diesel – though, those leaning more towards an EQV are very likely to also possess a high EQ towards electric vehicles.
BREAK IT DOWN
Mercedes-Benz EQV 300
POWER: 150kW/365Nm
GEARBOX: Single motor, FWD
BATTERY: 90kWh (110kW DC charge)
RANGE: 343km (WLTP), 29kWh
WEIGHT: 2710kg
PRICE: $166,350 (+ORC)
