Mercedes-Benz EQV review
Luxury electric people mover joins the Mercedes-Benz battery-electric line-up.
German prestige car maker Mercedes-Benz may have been slow out of the blocks with its electric offerings compared with rival Tesla, but it’s making up for it now with a wave of new battery-electric models including this new EQV people mover.
Mercedes-EQ, the EV-focused division of Mercedes-Benz, recently announced the launch of the new luxury people mover, designed for both family buyers and professional drivers seeking a more environmentally friendly way to transport up to seven people.
The EQV is the latest model to join the German car maker’s expanding battery-electric powered fleet, along with the EQA, EQB, EQC, and EQS 53.
Featuring a high roofline, generous proportions and dual electrically operated sliding doors, the EQV is also one of the more expensive models, at a manufacturer recommended retail price of $155,338.
Mercedes says the EQV is unique in its line-up thanks to its combination of practicality and luxury features, including generous space for driver and up to six passengers, with the standard configuration featuring two armchairs in the second row and a three-berth bench seat in the third.
The EQV can also be specified with four individual leather armchairs in the rear as a no-cost option, making it suitable for airport transfers or as an executive shuttle.
The electric van’s practical credentials also extend to impressive storage and flexibility, with a configurable space of up to 1030 litres for cargo.
The tailgate opens and closes electrically at the touch of a button and includes a separately opening rear window.
Other standard features include power-adjustable front seats equipped with memory settings, lumbar support and seat heating, along with Benz’s MBUX infotainment system which operates audio, telephony, navigation and vehicle settings, including voice-activated commands.
A 10.25-inch central touchscreen provides access to the standard satellite navigation along with a range of other vehicle functions, including pre-entry climate control that can be used to pre-set the desired cabin temperature ahead of a journey.
Utilising a single e-motor boasting outputs of 150kW/365Nm the front-wheel drive EQV features a 90kWh battery that delivers an indicative range of up to 418km and uses 26.32kWh per 100km (NEDC).
The battery accepts DC charging of up to 110 kW, meaning a top-up from 10–80% can be achieved in about 45 minutes, while using an 11kW AC wallbox charger takes about 10 hours to recharge from 0–100%.
Standard air suspension should ensure luxurious ride quality, while the positioning of the lithium-ion battery pack beneath the floor contributes to a lower centre of gravity for improved handling.
There are four selectable drive modes including two eco-modes, plus comfort and sport modes, and five levels of regenerative braking energy recuperation.
A DAuto mode can also be activated and uses a radar sensor to automatically adjust the recuperation level to the traffic situation.
The EQV’s comprehensive suite of safety programs includes DISTRONIC Active Distance Assist cruise control, a 360-desgree camera with dynamic guides, driver and front passenger 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 -high beam assist plus, reversing camera and sensors, and rain-sensing wipers.
Other standard features include a high-quality Burmester surround sound audio system, automatic climate control with semi-automatic rear air-conditioning, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a leather multifunction steering wheel.
The EQV is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for private use (five years/250,000km for commercial use), and eight years or 160,000km for the battery pack. Servicing is recommended once a year or every 40,000km.
Included is a one-year complimentary Chargefox subscription, providing complimentary, unlimited charging at all Chargefox ultra-rapid stations and participating fast charging stations around Australia.
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The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.