The Mercedes-Benz EQV is billed as Australia’s first all-electric luxurious people-mover, a behemoth largely designed for high-end switch and shuttle companies.
Whereas it’s round $40,000 costlier than probably the most inexpensive V-Class diesel, its diminished operating prices and emissions will little doubt attraction to many companies – and even perhaps the odd well-heeled non-public purchaser with a giant household.
With a real-world vary exceeding 300km and whisper-quiet operation, it’s a calming shuttle that may swimsuit some operators to a tee.
How a lot does the Mercedes-Benz EQV price?
The Mercedes-Benz EQV has a steep checklist value of $155,338 earlier than on-road prices (together with GST and LCT). In Victoria, that equates to an anticipated drive-away value of $162,800.
The equal diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz V-Class V250d prices $111,252 earlier than on-roads, or $122,400 drive-away, whereas the flagship V300d AMG Avantgarde is $132,490 checklist or $144,500 drive-away.
This makes the EQV someplace between $20,000 and $40,000 costlier than a V-Class diesel, relying which spec and engine tune you go for.
There’s a technique to get right into a Mercedes electrical folks mover for related cash to this too, by going for the mechanically an identical eVito Tourer with a $116,115 checklist value.
One other competitor is the LDV MIFA 9 at between $106,000 and $131,000 earlier than on-roads.
2023 Mercedes-Benz EQV pricing:
- Mercedes-Benz EQV 300: $155,338
Pricing is earlier than on-road prices, however consists of luxurious automotive tax
What’s the Mercedes-Benz EQV like on the within?
It definitely feels a bit extra particular contained in the EQV than your typical shuttle, and when it comes to useable area it places any luxurious SUV to disgrace. Nevertheless the absence of a proximity-sensing key fob and button begin system feels incongruous.
Each entrance leather-based seats are powered, have lumbar and thigh changes, reminiscence presets, and are heated – a great way to cut back energy use. Additionally they have pull-down armrests in lieu of a centre console.
The leather-wrapped steering wheel tilts and telescopes, whereas behind it are analogue gauges (a speedometer and energy/enhance meter) flanking a digital show with pace, journey and effectivity knowledge readouts.
Mercedes-Benz makes some distinctive ergonomic selections in its cabins, corresponding to becoming a gear shifter on the steering column and seat adjustment buttons on every door, however you adapt shortly.
The anthracite and ebony pretend wooden sprint inlay and the silver plastic switches and trim items add some welcome heat and design nous, as do the brand-signature turbine-like air vents.
The ten.25-inch touchscreen is top-end, with high-resolution graphics and a voice assistant activated by saying “Hey Mercedes”. It’s able to controlling most features, from the local weather to the deal with of a vacation spot, or requesting a point-of-interest corresponding to a quick charger.
There’s additionally a 360-degree digital camera with numerous angles, animated consumption meters, ambient inside lighting controls, and a vibe-enhancing Burmester sound system with audio system for every row of seats.
One draw back is there’s no AM receiver, and people channels on DAB don’t work in all regional areas. I suppose you possibly can at all times stream the footy or cricket commentary, or ABC neighborhood broadcasts…
Beneath the display screen are rocker switches for local weather controls, and different shortcut buttons to take you straight to varied menus corresponding to cellphone, audio, navigation, radio and automotive settings.
Underneath it is a plastic touchpad a bit like a laptop computer mouse when you don’t like touchscreens, flanked by buttons for the electrical sliding rear doorways and the driving mode selector.
Given its van origins there’s loads of storage corresponding to the large cubby beneath the sprint containing cupholders and USB-C ports, with a sliding cowl. There are additionally numerous massive open sections in every door and a big glovebox.
Entry to the second row is by way of giant sliding doorways with motors. There are two captain’s chairs with armrests, which have tilting backrests, and slide on rails. There are overhead vents and studying lights, separate temperature controls within the roof, and ISOFIX anchors with prime tethers.
There’s acres of room and enormous facet home windows, however the lack of USB ports and even 12V ports for the center occupants is price noting, given passengers might wish to cost their cellphone or tablets.
Entry to the much less luxurious third seating row – with three seats, bringing the entire to seven – is a cinch, with every middle-row chair capable of effortlessly tumble ahead on a frontal hinge whenever you pull a small deal with. You are able to do it with two fingers.
All three again seats’ backrests can tilt independently of the others, and with the center row chair slid barely ahead there’s ample room for 3 grown adults. Certainly, I ferried round seven occupants with out grievance from any.
Two of the rearmost seats have ISOFIX anchors (4 in whole) and all have prime tethers, whereas the facet head-protecting airbags deploy your entire size of the cabin.
You may also go for an EQV with particular person captain’s chairs in each rear seating rows if you’d like a deluxe six-seater.
I do surprise if it’s a bit cheeky for Mercedes-Benz to cost the most effective a part of $4000 for a two-pane panoramic sunroof. A luxurious shuttle must have this as normal, absolutely, with the flexibility to opt-out.
The huge tailgate is energy operated and excessive sufficient for me (at 194cm or 6ft 4) to stroll beneath with out stooping. The boot additionally has a intelligent carpeted tabletop for tender baggage that may be folded away, with an open centre with folding plastic storage helpers hidden away.
This desk can simply be eliminated as a result of it’s mounted to the sliding rails, whereas the rearmost seats might be folded down and slid forwards and backwards by way of levers.
The boot is sufficiently big for suitcases, not like most three-row SUVs, providing as much as 1030L of area and a 1326mm most loading area peak.
Nevertheless, whereas there are three 12V shops within the rear seating row and boot space, I ponder why there’s no energy plug utilizing vehicle-to-load energy. It will look like a house run, and good technique to additional leverage the battery pack given rent automotive drivers spend loads of time sitting round.
The spare tyre mounted behind the rear axle is a 225/55 R17 Continental which, whereas not the identical measurement as these fitted (245/50 R18), is not less than higher than a thin space-saver or tyre restore package.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
The front-wheel-drive electrical motor outputs 150kW and 365Nm, giving a stately 0-100km/h functionality of 12.1 seconds (much less with a load of passengers in fact) and 140km/h prime pace.
Power is saved in a 90kWh lithium-ion battery pack, situated low within the flooring in order to not compromise inside area over the diesel.
The driving vary on the NEDC lab take a look at is 418km primarily based on effectivity of 26.3kWh per 100km, whereas the extra sensible WLTP take a look at claims 340km. In the event you’re ferrying seven occupants and equipment at freeway speeds will probably be worse, however that’s no totally different to a combustion car.
In our expertise you must plan for effectivity of between 28kWh per 100km and 30kWh per 100km, and a spread of 300-320km in regular driving together with highways and motorways.
The EQV’s pack might be recharged on an AC wall field from empty to 100 per cent in about 10 hours, or from 10 to 80 per cent on a DC rapid-charger in as little as 45 minutes relying on the charger’s output capabilities.
There are driving modes that tweak the steadiness of efficiency and vary (Eco, Eco+, Consolation and Sport) and 4 ranges of brake vitality recuperation which regulate the diploma of resistance whenever you’re off each pedals and coasting. These are managed by paddle shifters.
How does the Mercedes-Benz EQV drive?
The excessive seating place and large home windows give a commanding view of the highway forward, and the seat has ample changes and some reminiscence presets.
Surprisingly for an electrical automotive, it’s essential use a bodily twist key – a plastic fob that goes right into a slot to the left of the wheel. However upon turning it you’re greeted by… nothing. Silence. Serene refinement beats diesel rattle in a car like this.
Electrical motor drive makes a lot sense for a car centered on occupant consolation, not simply because it reduces noise and vibrations, however on account of its easy and (single-speed) linear energy supply.
It’s not speedy, thoughts. With 150kW and 365Nm on faucet it’s not gutless, however it’s heavy. Very heavy. It weighs 2902kg, which explains the leisurely 0-100km/h time of 12.1 seconds with out passengers.
It by no means had points getting off the mark or maintaining with site visitors although, and proved fairly a serene and relaxed freeway cruiser at 110km/h.
By way of vitality effectivity, I averaged between 28kWh per 100km and 30kWh per 100km, which means a probable vary of 300-320km.
On the town you’re swiftly conscious how massive the EQV really is, not a lot when it comes to size (5140mm) however extra when it comes to width (2249mm) and peak (1960mm, which is okay for many multi-story automotive parks).
But the sunshine steering and good visibility make it simple to drive even in tighter spots.
I discovered the utmost ‘D- -‘ regenerative braking mode useful round city in cease and begin site visitors too. It’s not full one-pedal driving, however slows you down easily and harvests extra vitality.
These new to EVs may discover it jarring whenever you’re switching from resistance-like deceleration (regenerative braking if it’s engaged), to the firmer mechanical brakes, however you adapt and shortly it turns into a profit.
By way of driving dynamics, it’s very a lot a comfort-focused car. Even with the additional battery weight low down, it feels massive and barge-like in corners, and tends to drift and secondary bounce after sharp inputs like a pace bump.
It’s super-refined nonetheless, sturdy and light-weight on wind noise and highway roar for occupants. The usual air suspension with two heights additionally smooths out the journey additional.
By way of payload, it’s rated to hold 598kg (primarily based on its GVM of 3500kg and its 2902kg kerb weight, inclusive of a 75kg driver).
The driving force-assist aids comprise stalk-controlled adaptive cruise management with a speed-limiter operate, blind-spot help, and a lane-departure assist – however just one that vibrates the steering wheel, slightly than including steering enter.
What do you get?
Exterior
- 18-inch wheels
- Tyres 245/50 R18
- Spare wheel with jack
- LED headlights (Clever Mild System)
- Auto high-beam (Help Plus)
- LED tail lights, brake lights and indicators
- EQV-specific front-end design
- Ambient lighting and branded puddle lamps
- Physique-coloured bumpers, chrome physique inserts
- Powered tailgate and sliding facet doorways
- Heated, power-folding facet mirrors
- Warmth-insulating glass all spherical
- Rain sensor for wipers
- Roof rails, anodised end
- Individually opening rear window
Inside
- ‘Lugano’ leather-based seats
- Powered and heated entrance seats with reminiscence
- 2 x second-row and three x third-row seats (normal)
- 2 x second-row and a couple of x third-row seats (possibility)
- Local weather management with rear temperature zone
- Pre-entry local weather management
- Ambient inside lighting color decisions
- Dashboard in leather-look with stitching
- Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
- Burmester surround-sound system
- Communication module (LTE) for digital companies
- Digital radio (DAB) receiver
- 10.25-inch touchscreen
- MBUX voice assistant
- Sat-nav with map updates for 3 years
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 360-degree parking digital camera
- 3 x 12V sockets
Choices
- Premium paint: $2550
- Panoramic sunroof: $4868
- Provider bars for the roof rails: $315.70
- EQV Design Package deal Inside: $1406
Is the Mercedes-Benz EQV secure?
The five-star ANCAP ranking for the Vito and V-Class expired as of 1 January, 2023, and due to this fact your entire vary stays unrated.
Commonplace security options embrace:
- 6 airbags
- Entrance and front-side airbags
- Aspect curtain airbags for all rows (A-D pillars)
- 4 x ISOFIX child-seat anchors
- Energetic Parking Help
- Adaptive cruise management
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Blind-spot monitoring
- ESP with Crosswind Help
- Lane departure warning
- Rear parking sensors
- Encompass-view digital camera
How a lot does the Mercedes-Benz EQV price to run?
The EQV is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee for personal use (5 years or 250,000km for industrial use), and eight years or 160,000km for the battery pack.
Servicing is “really helpful” every year or each 40,000 kilometres, with service plans accessible starting from $1252 (three companies) to $2149 (5 companies).
Additionally included is a one-year Chargefox subscription with limitless charging in any respect of its quick charging stations round Australia. Mercedes-Benz Australia additionally sells its personal branded wallbox dwelling or enterprise AC charger able to 7.2kW (single-phase) or 22kW (three-phase).
I’m not a fan of the situation of the cost port within the entrance bumper. Appears susceptible to break from a primary frontal bingle?
To get a greater understanding of what kind of value-for-money the EQV may signify towards the $40,000 cheaper V250d diesel, you possibly can crunch the numbers utilizing a state of affairs – however in fact everybody’s wants can be totally different.
For a hypothetical let’s counsel a luxurious airport switch firm that requires a folks mover to do 1000km per week, over a five-year lease anticipated to cowl 260,000km.
Utilizing authorities gasoline effectivity knowledge – in actuality, these numbers are nearly at all times too low however let’s use them for argument’s sake – the V250d makes use of 7.4 litres of diesel per 100km, which means 74L per week at a value of round $150 primarily based on present costs.
That’s round $8000 per yr or $40,000 over 5 years or 260,000km, assuming all variables stay equal.
If the hypothetical shuttle firm has invested in rooftop photo voltaic and a wallbox for in a single day charging, it could be possible to run the EQV totally free and thereby make again the cash in full.
But when they’re utilizing the grid at a charge of 20 cents per kWh, as is the tough common in Victoria, then it will price about $50 per week to cowl the 1000km (on the marketed consumption of 26.3kWh per 100km), $2600 per yr, and $13,000 over 5 years.
If the operator makes use of DC public charging, which may price as much as 60c per kWh, then this equation clearly adjustments additional – even with the free one-year complimentary Chargefox subscription equipped with the car.
I added 60 per cent cost (54.38kWh) to the battery on a Chargefox ultra-rapid charger at peaks of 108kW in 33 minutes. That’s equal to about 200km vary in a tick over half-an-hour. The price with out the free membership of this could be $32.62.
The purpose of all this? The worth equation is dependent upon many elements, however you possibly can count on cheaper operating prices total to not less than partially offset the sticker value premium.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Mercedes-Benz EQV
It’s not low cost, however for enterprise customers centered on operating prices and occupant consolation, the Mercedes-Benz EQV luxurious shuttle is prone to discover patrons.
It’s a giant and heavy car with some vary limitations, but it surely’s the chief in a small discipline proper now.
On a broader be aware, automobiles like this that are inclined to do predictable weekly mileage, usually have a base to return to, and which rack up excessive mileage over a lease, lend themselves significantly nicely to being electrified in a sustainable manner.
Click on the pictures for the total gallery
MORE: All the pieces Mercedes-Benz EQV