Mercedes Benz EQV first drive

 

Zap-Map verdict: “Hugely spacious and refined, the Mercedes Benz EQV is expensive but with no direct rivals.”

 

 

Range & charging

Mercedes Benz has big plans for its range of EQ models – pure-electric vehicles – which started in the EQC. Second to launch under the all-electric sub-brand is the EQV, an EV version of its V-Class people carrier. A range of more than 200 miles on a charge and ultra-rapid charging abilities, plus the ability to seat seven with luggage, puts the Mercedes Benz EQV in a niche of its own currently.

There is one configuration available:

With the EQV, Mercedes Benz offers an electric vehicle in a somewhat under represented market – MPVs. The Nissan e-NV200 is, at the time of writing, the only other conventional MPV available with seven seats and a pure-electric powertrain, though the Tesla Model X SUV is also a seven-seater it must be said, and Peugeot/Citroen/Vauxhall are soon to bring out mass-market rivals. However, the EQV is larger than both the Nissan and Tesla, and certainly a more premium offering than the e-NV200.

Range is good too, which is an important point for those likely to buy the EQV. The Mercedes Benz will likely live life as a workhorse of some sort, either ferrying a large family around or finding use as an executive taxi. Either way, range will be relatively high up the list of priorities for buyers, and the 200+ miles available on a charge will help sway them.

On top of that charging is available at 11 kW for AC charge points and 110 kW DC for ultra-rapid units, so charging times for the 90 kWh battery are kept relatively low. Effectively a full charge on an 11 kW or 22 kW unit will take 10 hours, and a top-up to 80% on an ultra-rapid point will take 45 minutes.

Only a short drive was available on this occasion, so a full test of the range in real-world conditions wasn’t possible. However, the trip computer’s efficiency score of 1.9 miles/kWh puts the Mercedes Benz EQV’s range at around 180 miles – particularly as the economy figure was still rising come the end of the drive, which took around an hour.

On the road

To drive, the Mercedes Benz EQV certainly makes its size felt, but it’s not unduly bulky. It’s heavy, but the suspension set up and Mercedes’ expertise in refinement make for a comfortable ride. In fact, because of the quiet electric motor and smooth power delivery, the EQV is more refined than the V-Class on which its based – an in this market, that’s important.

The handling is a little wallowy around fast corners, but body all is kept relatively under check, and the EQV is unlikely to be driven hard down country roads much of the time. Instead, the Mercedes Benz is expected to find much of its work in built up areas or on faster roads such a motorways, and here the long wheelbase and comfortable suspension comes into their own. There are few more comfortable or refined motorway cruisers, and I can think of none that can match that refinement and travel a good distance with seven occupants and luggage inside.

 

Comfort & Practicality

The interior of the EQV is focused primarily at the passengers. There are seven seats in total, with three in the middle-row and two in a third row in the back. All are comfortable and can be adjusted to suit a cabin that’s flexible to set up. It’s well kitted out too, and the materials used are those you would expect of a Mercedes Benz costing upwards of £70,000. Thanks to the van-like styling from the windscreen backwards, suffice to say, there’s a huge amount of room for all seven occupants. Head, leg, and shoulder room are excellent; frankly, if you need more space, you should be looking at a minibus.

The dashboard is now a little dated compared to other Mercedes Benz models available, featuring much of the previous generation’s style and systems. The latest MBUX system is excellent, and makes the EQV’s seem worse than it is by comparison only. It actually looks good, works well, and is responsive, and has been updated in certain areas to closer match the systems currently found on the latest Mercedes models.

 

Tech & Specifications

There is a good level of kit fitted to the EQV, but it’s not all singing, all dancing in terms of specifications. A large infotainment system is fitted as standard, as are now traditional EV features such as heated front seats and preconditioning. Mercedes Benz’s clever radar-based brake energy recuperation system is fitted, which is something few other EVs boast, and it works well on the whole too. For Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, you need to move up from the base Sport trim to Sport Premium, but all models get electric sliding doors and tailgate.

There’s no disputing the Mercedes Benz EQV costs a lot of money, but put into context, it could well prove reasonable value for money. The only other pure-electric seven seaters are either smaller , have a smaller range, and are far cheaper – but feel it – in the case of the Nissan e-NV200, or offer less space, but a greater range and at a higher cost – the Tesla Model X. It remains to be seen how the Peugeot/Vauxhall/Citroen electric MPVs will shape up, with a lower cost than the Mercedes, but similar space and range on offer. Until then, there’s nothing else that directly rivals the EQV, and even afterwards, it will likely be sometime before we see another premium electric challenger. Mercedes Benz could have quite a hit on its hands.

All information above correct at time of publication. Official economy figures, pricing, and tax rates supplied by the manufacturer. Cost to charge based on 0-100% charge at home on a tariff of 16 p/kWh.

• ● Mercedes Benz EQV – 150 kW – 90 kWh – 213 miles