Summary
The Mercedes-Benz EQV is a seven-seat people carrier which is essentially the electric version of the diesel-powered V-Class, which is in turn closely related to the Mercedes-Benz Vito commercial van.
The EQV has kept much of the exterior styling traits of the V-Class, but uses a 90kWh battery and electric motor instead of a traditional engine. Mercedes-Benz says that it can travel a maximum of 213 miles on a full battery.
Many motoring outlets commend the EQV for its competitive battery range, though Car Keys notes that the electric powertrain makes the EQV over 450kg heavier than its combustion-powered counterpart, and this added weight is noticeable in the corners.
Despite this added weight and some reports of loud wind noise, reviewers generally conclude that the EQV is a very competent cruiser that is a very comfortable way to travel – with a refined and spacious cabin, and one of the best infotainment systems in its class.
Where reviewers often take issue is the car’s price – the entry-level Mercedes-Benz EQV trim costs north of £70,000, which is steep for private buyers. By comparison, the similarly-sized Citroën ë-SpaceTourer is half this price, but opting for the ë-SpaceTourer means losing out on the EQV’s cabin luxuries and battery range.
Despite its price tag, What Car? concludes that the EQV “seems destined to become the go-to choice for zero emissions VIP transportation”, though it advises private buyers that “the Tesla Model X is a far superior choice as a seven-seat EV, while there are plenty of excellent five-seat SUVs that cost significantly less.”
As of January 2024, the Mercedes-Benz EQV holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 69%. Its score is helped by excellent new car running costs and zero tailpipe emissions, although average media reviews drag the score down a bit.
- Mercedes-Benz V-Class (2014 onwards) – Expert Rating
- More Mercedes-Benz ratings, reviews, news and features
EQV highlights
- Electric sliding doors
- Competitive battery range
- Spacious high-quality cabin
- Easy driving experience
- Intuitive infotainment
EQV lowlights
- Noticeably heavier than the V-Class
- Expensive to buy
- Cheaper SUVs have more driver’s appeal
- Van-like lean in fast corners
- Wind noise at high speeds
Key specifications
Body style: Seven-seat people carrier
Engines: electric, battery-powered
Price: From £87,135 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2021
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Trader
Model reviewed:
Score: 7.8 / 10
“A great alternative to the plethora of SUVs that litter our streets, with a lot going for it. If you’re after something very spacious, this van might be a great alternative for you.”
Read review
Autocar
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“You could argue that the new Mercedes Benz EQV gets very close to being the perfect battery-powered car.”
Read review
Car Keys
Score: 8 / 10
“While expensive to buy, the Mercedes-Benz EQV is a very appealing prospect for those looking for a large premium people carrier, not least due to its well-integrated powertrain and credible electric range.”
Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“The Mercedes EQV is an all-electric MPV with lots of space and is more than comfortable for journeys, but it feels dated and its range isn’t great.”
Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed:
“Range and practicality are big plus points, but the Mercedes-Benz EQV looks expensive next to the large people-carriers on the way from volume brands, even though they have significantly shorter ranges.”
Read review
Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz EQV builds on the basis of the smart V-Class people carrier to offer VIP transport with silent and refined electric power.”
Author: Richard Ingram
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Electrifying.com
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.5 / 10
“The pricing looks lofty for a posh van, but the £70,000 starting point isn’t too different to the many, upmarket SUVs that so many convince themselves are the right solution for hauling their families around in. Well, they’re not – this is, if you are really being honest with yourself.”
Read review
Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: EQV 300 Sport Premium Plus
Score: 9 / 10
“The seven-seat electric Mercedes-Benz EQV may look like a van, but it feels like a luxury Mercedes car to drive – a car that’s very, very practical.” (Paul Clarke)
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Model reviewed: EQV 300 Sport
“There is no getting away from the fact that the EQV is expensive. If you are thinking of taking the plunge its best not to look at the V-Class pricelist first. At least the EQV offers Ultra Rapid charging capability, a good range, and 7 full sizes seats, which is impressive for an electric MPV.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed:
“Capable of covering 252-miles on a single charge, the Mercedes-Benz EQV can be specified with eight, seven or six seats, with the latter getting seats that can be individually configured.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6.8 / 10
“We’d argue that the Citroen e-Spacetourer and its Peugeot and Vauxhall siblings offer almost as much space and versatility, but they don’t have the cachet and can’t travel anywhere near as far on a charge. There’s no doubting the Mercedes feels far more luxurious inside and it’s comfier when fitted with air suspension.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed:
Score: 4 / 10
“Unless the combination of seven full-size seats and a 200-mile-plus range are must-haves for you – or indeed, you want an EV in which you can work in comfort while it charges – there are better alternatives out there.”
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The Van Expert
Model reviewed:
“Given that the EQV sits at the forefront of Merc’s EV plans, you can’t fault how well-rounded it is as an overall proposition. This is bound to prove attractive to all manner of people who are already considering a new multi-purpose people carrier.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The EQV is probably the best of the seven-seat electric options currently available – it’s well specced, comfortable enough for everyone onboard and doesn’t compromise on practicality. There are some compromises that have endured in the van-to-MPV-to-electric conversion, and the EQV’s age can’t be disguised that easily.”
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Model reviewed: EQV 300 Sport Premium Plus
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s a lot for a van, even a hugely appealing electric one, which the Mercedes-Benz EQV undoubtedly is. Indeed, we’d go so far as saying it’s the way EVs should be, but you all love SUVs so much you’ll go and buy the plug-in versions of those instead. But you’d be wrong to.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed:
Score: 4 / 10
“For VIP transportation at large events, a lot of companies will rightly think the Mercedes-Benz EQV makes a lot of sense. For private buyers, however, the Tesla Model X is a far superior choice as a seven-seat EV, while there are plenty of excellent five-seat SUVs that cost significantly less.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: October 2014
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 93%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 67%
Safety assist: 85%
No safety rating
The Mercedes-Benz EQV shares its safety rating with the regular V-Class, which was tested by Euro NCAP way back in 2014.
It’s not always the case than an electric version gets the same safety score as the regular petrol/diesel model, but in this case Mercedes-Benz was able to show that the EQV would perform comparably to the other V-Class models in equivalent circumstances.
Unusually, the EQV/V-Class safety rating has not expired after seven years, which is generally the case for Euro NCAP safety ratings.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of January 2024, the Mercedes-Benz EQV has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the EQV is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of January 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Mercedes-Benz EQV to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the EQV, we’ll publish the score here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 2.6 m/KWh | E | 2.6 – 2.6 m/KWh | E – E |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 12 | A | 12 – 12 | A – A |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £272 | C |
| Year 2 | £633 | B |
| Year 3 | £996 | B |
| Year 4 | £1,177 | B |
| Year 5 | £1,524 | B |
| Overall | £4,602 | B |
The Mercedes-Benz EQV is a relatively affordable vehicle to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Insurance costs should be low, while servicing and maintenance are much cheaper than equivalent combustion-engined Mercedes models.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Mercedes-Benz EQV, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën ë-SpaceTourer | Peugeot e-Expert | Tesla Model X | Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life | Volkswagen ID. Buzz
Buy a Mercedes-Benz EQV
If you’re looking to buy a new or used EQV, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car
Find your next used car with Motors. Find out more
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Discover great deals available on both new and used cars. Find out more
Lease a Mercedes-Benz EQV
If you’re looking to lease a new EQV, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal
Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Leasing.com. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Ready2Lease. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from LeaseLoco. Find out more
Subscribe to a Mercedes-Benz EQV
Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
