Benz’s $155k EQV electric people mover arrives
Mercedes-Benz has launched its new EQV, Australia’s first fully electric luxury people mover with sumptuous seating for seven.
But it’s not one for struggling super-breeders. Priced from $155,338 before on-roads, it’s the reserve of well-to-do large families and “professional transfer businesses” with solid budgets.
Available in only one grade, the 5140mm-long EQV 300 uses a single 150kW/365Nm e-motor over its front wheels, while its 90kWh battery gives a claimed range of 363km (WLTP). Energy consumption’s quoted at 26.3kWh/100km (NEDC), while 100km/h is reached in a leisurely 12.1 seconds.
Benz says the people mover’s 110kW DC charging capacity allows top-ups from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 45 minutes when using a rapid charger. A residential 11kW AC wall box has the battery from empty to full in around 10 hours.
Value versus its rivals?
The EQV’s not cheap, but lately every new car price announcement – prestige brand; EV or combustion – has us thinking the same thing. Maybe we should reset our idea on what ‘expensive’ is these days.
Even so, the electric EQV’s sticker price looks particularly chunky. Mercedes’ diesel V-Class V250 is $91,688 plus Luxury Car Tax (LCT) and on-roads, highlighting the premium you’ll face by going for a battery-powered luxury Benz bus.
Like the combustion V250, the EQV has seating only for seven, not the eight or more we see in other people movers/giant SUVs. Combustion engine Kia Carnival, Hyundai Palisade or Toyota Granvia have chairs for eight people, while the new LDV MIFA 9 electric people mover promises a version will come in a 2-3-3 configuration in 2023. The launch model has seating only for seven.
The electric LDV is priced from $106,000-$131,000 depending on grade, helping make the EQV’s entry fee look more palatable.
An eight-seat electric Mercedes-Benz people mover is available in the shape of the eVito Tourer – a more fleet-focused offering costing from $116,115 plus LCT and on-roads. The Vito Tourer replaces the old Valente, and this eVito model uses the same battery/motor setup as the more luxe EQV.
Luxury appointments inside
The leather cabin doesn’t look too shabby at all, and is available in black or beige. Standard configuration is two armchairs in the second row and a three-berth bench seat for the third row.
As a no-cost option, the EQV can be specified with four individual leather armchairs in the rear area, “making it the ideal choice for airport transfers or as an executive shuttle.” Or for your private school kids who’d expect nothing less.
Up front are power-adjustable heated memory seats, Benz’s smart MBUX infotainment system with ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice activation, plus a 10.25-inch central touchscreen. There’s Burmester surround-sound audio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, automatic climate control and a pre-entry climate control function.
There’s no digital driver display, and you have to pay extra for a sliding panoramic sunroof or folding table package.
What else do you get?
Style-wise there’s 18-inch black high-sheen alloy wheels, a AMG spoiler lip and anodised roof rails. It rolls on Benz’s AIRMATIC air suspension, so we can assume ride quality’s very plush.
There are four driving programs to prioritise comfort or sportiness (because who doesn’t love flinging their bus along a back road?), five levels of energy recuperation and a solid suite of safety including radar cruise control, 360-degree camera, AEB, lane keep assist and blind spot assist. There are also side airbags from the A to D pillars.
Sliding doors each side and the tailgate are electric, while cargo space is up to 1030L with all pews in place. Fold the seats and you have 4630L and a ready-made zero-emissions removals business.
As with other electric Benzes, they chuck in a one-year complimentary Chargefox subscription for unlimited free charging at its charge stations.
The EQV’s warranty is five-years/unlimited kilometres (250,000km for commercial use), while the battery pack comes with an eight-year/160,000km warranty.
Servicing is ‘recommended’ once a year, or every 40,000km.
Mercedes-Benz’s online configurator isn’t currently showing a drive-away price for the new EQV, with the website instructing those interested to make enquiries.
