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When it comes to a luxurious, all-electric vehicle that’s capable of shuttling up to eight occupants and their luggage around, the Mercedes-Benz EQV is almost peerless. The cheaper LDV MIFA 9 comes close, but can’t match the EQV on space, configurability and sheer luxury, while the new Lexus LM is hybrid only. Volvo has designs on entering the segment with its new EM90, but for now the EQV is a class benchmark – and it’s just been updated with a classier look inside and out, and enhanced tech, but no changes to power output or driving range.
How much does the Mercedes-Benz EQV cost?
Full pricing and specification for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQV will be revealed closer to the facelifted people-mover’s local launch, which is set to take place in the third quarter of this year.
While the most affordable combustion-engined versions (badged the V-Class) are expected to cost around $110,000 plus on-road costs, we expect the battery-electric EQV to be priced from at least $160,000 plus ORCs. The current version opens at $157,450.
For our market, Mercedes-Benz Australia will once again only import the battery-powered EQV 300 with the larger 90kWh battery, overlooking the smaller 60kWh power pack offered in Europe.
It will be available in long-wheelbase guise, with the extra-long wheelbase variant sold overseas not expected to make it Down Under.
For those in the market for a luxurious people-mover with low running costs, the closest rival is the new hybrid-powered Lexus LM (from $160,888), while the other main contender is the more affordable LDV MIFA – which in top-shelf form retails for $129,000 plus ORCs.
If you can make do with seven seats, the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV (from $194,900 plus ORCs) might also be of interest.
What equipment comes with the Mercedes-Benz EQV?
To help justify its towering price, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQV comes with high levels of standard equipment.
That’s because in Europe the EQV is only available with high-grade Avantgarde trim, which means it comes with powerful Multibeam LED headlights, a widescreen cockpit with two 12.3-inch displays, leather upholstery, 64-colour ambient interior lighting, keyless start, satellite navigation with live traffic updates and a 360-degree camera.
The Australian-bound EQV will also ride on 18-inch alloy wheels and come fitted with air suspension as standard.
How safe is the Mercedes-Benz EQV?
Based on the V-Class commercial vehicle, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQV has yet to be assessed by either Euro NCAP or ANCAP, but has strong safety credentials on its side.
Some of these stem from assessments dating back to 2014, while equipment upgrades over its lifecycle (including this latest one) have kept the EV up to date.
Even the most basic V-Class comes with 11 airbags that include a centre-front airbag between the driver and front passenger.
New driver assist systems include blind spot assist, lane keep assist, fatigue assist and cross traffic alert (and braking), plus a 360-degree camera for safer low-speed manoeuvring.
What technology does the Mercedes-Benz EQV feature?
The latest 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQV comes with the car-maker’s Widescreen cockpit, as found on the E-Class, for example, but misses out on the enormous Hyperscreen offered with the battery-electric EQS.
The introduction of the twin 12.3-inch displays for the digital instrument panel and the infotainment system is a direct response to customer requests.
Sitting behind a single glass cover, the high-definition displays run Benz’s latest MBUX operating system and are claimed to be considerably quicker than before, thanks to uprated hardware.
There’s a supporting cast of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation with live traffic information, Car-to-X communication and a “Hey Mercedes” voice assistant, but no head-up display (HUD).
Other new tech includes connectivity services spanning maintenance, accident and breakdown management and useful features like locking and unlocking the doors, and opening and closing of the windows, all controlled using the ‘Mercedes me’ app.
What powers the Mercedes-Benz EQV?
Like before, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQV 300 comes with a single e-motor that drives the front wheels.
According to engineers, it wasn’t feasible packaging a second electric motor on the rear axle to produce more power and allow for all-wheel drive.
Current owners haven’t been asking for more power, especially those operating big fleets.
So instead of turning up the wick of the 150kW/365Nm electric motor with this latest upgrade, engineers focused on improving efficiency by ramping up the powertrain’s thermal efficiency.
Against the clock it’s thought the revised Mercedes-Benz EQV still takes a leisurely 12.1 seconds to launch from 0-100km/h. Top speed is limited to 140km/h, but can be raised to 160km/h on request in Europe.
How far can the Mercedes-Benz EQV go on a charge?
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQV draws from a 90kWh lithium-ion battery that’s claimed to offer a WLTP range of up to 365km, while consuming energy at the considerable rate of 27.12kWh/100km.
By comparison, the LDV MIFA 9 has a range of up to 440km from its 90kWh battery pack, with better economy of 21.8kWh/100km into the bargain as well.
The maximum DC fast-charge rate for the EQV is 110kW, which is nothing to write home about, although engineers say they’ve managed to tweak the software governing the charge cycle so a 10-80 per cent top=up now takes 40 minutes – five minutes quicker than before.
Mercedes-Benz claims to have improved the thermal efficiency of the EQV with a revised heat pump. This should mean that drivers notice an improvement in efficiency, although only in temperatures below 22 degrees Celsius.
What is the Mercedes-Benz EQV like to drive?
Behind the wheel and lounging in the luxurious S-Class-style recliners in the rear, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQV is the pick of the V-Class range when it come to the way it drives and rides.
Aside from the way it softly launches itself off the line, it’s hard not to love the calm and serene way the all-electric EQV goes about its business.
The standard air suspension does a fine job of soaking up poorly surfaced roads, although the vehicle can wallow over speed bumps, where the 2860kg wagon gives the unpleasant feeling it’s underdamped.
The steering also feels pleasingly sharp, and grip levels are reasonably high when pushing.
What betrays the EQV’s commercial vehicle origins is the level of body lean and the fact you sit perched high, although many will love the elevated driving position as it helps provide an unmatched view of the road ahead.
Our main gripe was with the mushy brake pedal feel, which made it difficult to blend regen with real braking.
Speaking of regen, steering-mounted paddles can be used to ramp up the amount of energy clawed back to almost one-pedal driving, although it feels smoother and quicker to have no regen at all.
An important caveat to mention is that we only drove the EQV unladen, leaving us to wonder just how athletic it will feel eight-up with luggage.
How much can the Mercedes-Benz EQV carry?
As standard, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQV comes with six seats, but tick the right box and you’ll be able to carry up to eight occupants.
Better still, its van platform accommodates the large battery pack without robbing the cabin of space.
We drove versions with up to six seats, with the second and third rows capable of sliding forward and backwards – and being removed altogether.
Impressively, with six seats in place the long-wheelbase V-Class offers 1030 litres of cargo room – a figure that can be expanded to 4630L with seats folded.
The EQV has a payload of up to 689kg, which should be fine in most applications, but in eight-seater configuration you may need to be careful about just how much luggage you can carry.
Mercedes-Benz has not released towing capacities for the revised EQV, suggesting it will not be offered with a tow pack. The current EQV is not rated for hauling loads.
What is the Mercedes-Benz EQV like inside?
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQV has pushed further upmarket to better appeal to well-heeled private buyers and chauffeur services.
The latest dash layout is more reminiscent of an S-Class limousine and we are left impressed by the classy new dark aluminium trim and faux open-pore-style grey olive wood.
Other reasons to help you forget you’re driving a van include the stylish turbine vents and 64-colour ambient interior lighting, plus the feel of the Nappa leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Of course, the best place to sit remains in the second row, especially in the individual reclining captain’s chairs that are cooled, heated and have a massage feature.
Up front there’s two USB-C ports and a redesigned centre console that also includes an inductive charging pad and removable cup holder.
In the second row there’s a further USB-C charging port and ISOFIX child seat mounting points on the individual seats.
Should I buy a Mercedes-Benz EQV?
If you want the quietest, most flexible, comfortable and spacious all-electric vehicle to drive while carrying up to eight occupants, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQV is really the only people-mover worth considering, even though it’s far from perfect.
If you’re a private individual, we think the combination of a limited range and relatively slow DC charging will dampen your enthusiasm for life with an EQV.
For luxurious EV family motoring, there’s always the EQS SUV, for example.
An all-new VAN.EA architecture is also in the works that will underpin the next generation of Mercedes-Benz vans and people-movers, improving on the current tech.
But if you can’t wait too long, and need the space and luxury that only a wagon of this size and pedigree offers, the latest EQV still has plenty of appeal.
2024 Mercedes-Benz EQV 300 at a glance:
Price: From $160,000 est (plus on-road costs)
Available: Third quarter 2024
Powertrain: Single permanent magnet synchronous motor
Output: 150kW/365Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 90.0kWh lithium-ion
Range: 365km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 27.1kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested
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