With the Mercedes-EQ family already charging (pun intended) ahead, it seemed fitting that the premium-luxury brand should add their MPV to their ever-increasing all-electric brood. And with my family needing a lift to the airport, Mercedes-Benz NZ let me do some people moving for myself.
To all intents and purposes, the Mercedes-EQV sits in between the brand’s passenger and commercial divisions (and now into their EQ area) but to you or me, it’s a luxurious 7-seater that you’d be proud to have your driveway and even prouder to to be picked up in at the airport, (the latter being something I was party to in Europe late last year).
At first glance the EQV looked to me like its V-class ICE powered sibling, (I mean it’s an MPV after all), but delve a little deeper and the differences become quite apparent.
The nose is compact with minimal overhang and the grille is now a black panel with chrome fins, leaning more towards the EQ family but still with V-Class similarities. The headlights are Merc’s LED Intelligent Light System, there’s a black AMG spoiler lip, there are chrome accents around the lower valance and a discrete flap that hides the EQV’s charging point.
The EQV’s profile still sports two sliding doors for rear entry access from either side, but now features EQ design, lightweight 18-inch black, high-sheen alloy wheels, side skirts and an EQ badge. While the rear features a huge pane of black shaded glass (that apparently opens for quick access to the top shelf) and an outward motion tailgate that opens to dual level shopping/luggage space.
From a passenger point of view, the rear seating configuration is a 3 seater bench and two captain’s chairs, all leather, comfortable and plenty of legroom – so ideal after a long day, flight, trip. While in addition, the driver/shotgun get a heated rear end, electrically adjustable positioning and access to the very clever MBUX infotainment system on a 10-inch touchscreen.
Getting comfortable in the EQV is simple and visibility through the large windscreen, combined with a tall seating position means that despite its size, you feel road ready from the get go. Navigating slowly around the tighter spaces is aided by Merc’s suite of cameras and beeps whole for pedestrians, the lack of engine noise is substituted by an Acoustic presence indicator.
About that lack of engine sound. As said before, the EQV is an all-electric MPV that comes with a usable 90kWh battery (AC and DC charging) and a Single E-motor (150kW/365Nm) that powers the front wheels. Obviously its emissions are 0g/km and Mercedes-EQ say that its efficiency is 29.06kWh (I managed 25.3) and a fully charged range of 405km (I picked it up with the dial showing 354km). I assume that the range would differ should there I be carting around a family of seven.
Having so much battery weight down low (and therefore a lower centre of gravity) meant that the EQV felt well planted on the road, and even with the terrible Auckland summer weather, riding over the harbour bridge was a breeze, not thrown about at all. Steering is well weighted and the way it handles, it’s easy to forget that you’re actually in a van that’s around 5m long. It’s not exactly slow off the mark either, Merc claims a 0-100km/h time of 12 seconds but Sport mode had me up and merging onto SH1 with onramp ease – I then quickly changed back to Eco mode to ensure range.
The cabin fit and finish is Mercedes good and thanks to its EVness, uncluttered too. Having the smart key to start to the left of the steering wheel gave me a moment of uncertainty, but the ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice interaction had my fave radio station and navigation sorted in a jiffy.
Aside from having a great Burmester stereo, the infotainment screen also came with some EQ exclusive EV menus, so I could happily geek out a bit and check the likes of my energy flow and what/where the MPV was using my hard earned electricity.
Along with an airport run and grocery shopping, the EQV came with me to the city and a few friend’s places, and at no point did I feel uneasy with it tagging along. At around $170k the EQV is by no means a ‘cheap’ people shuttler, but it’s a classy MPV that’s cheap to run and gives more than just a glimpse of how versatile the Mercedes-EQ product range is.
