Mercedes EQV 300 Sport Premium Plus (2020 - )

We have been hearing lots about Mercedes EQ models in recent times with the number of electrified vehicles growing across the range of cars from compact EQA to the mighty EQS flagship.

But there is also the EQV, which is the first electric premium multi-purpose vehicle to emerge from the German carmaker. Based on the V-Class, but with an electric powertrain as opposed to an engine, this is a luxury people mover with seating for up to seven occupants. 

With pure electric driving, the Mercedes EQV is perfect for transportation in and around cities where emission charges apply and it will be great for airport runs too with room for all the family plus luggage.

Customers can choose from three trim levels called Sport, Sport Premium and Sport Premium Plus. We opted for the range-topping EQV in Sport Premium Plus grade and it featured all the bells and whistles associated with the Mercedes badge.  

At first glance, the Mercedes EQV may look like any old van, but on closer inspection it is so much more. It is a luxurious five-door, seven-seater multi-purpose vehicle that is very big on style and boasts a wealth of high-end tech usually reserved for Mercedes premium cars. 

The entry-level EQV 300 Sport features 17-inch alloys, LED Intelligent Light System, headlamps with Highbeam Assist Plus and LED tail lamps. It has Comfort suspension, Mirror Package, Easy-Pack tailgate with a separately opening rear window, electrically-operating sliding doors and anodized roof rails. 

The interior comes with seven seats, a parking package with reversing camera, Driving Assistance package, heated front seats, multi-function leather steering wheel, automatic climate control with semi-automatic climate control in the rear.

A 10.25-inch touchscreen is the main focal point and there is the MBUX multimedia system with DAB radio and touchpad controller, plus Mercedes-Benz surround sound.

Step up a grade to Sport Premium trim and you get a more dynamic design thanks to an Exterior Design Package that includes a black radiator grille with chrome fins and frame. There is a black AMG spoiler lip and a rear bumper sill cover strip in chrome. Inside, you get a Memory package, Table package and smartphone integration is superior with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It also adds 17-inch five-spoke alloys, heat-insulating privacy glass, LED Intelligent Light system in black with Highbeam Assist and a Parking package with a 360-degree camera.

Finally, range-topping EQV Sport Premium Plus, as tested, gains AIRMATIC air suspension with a ‘lift’ mode, a Burmester sound system plus 18-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels. 

Powered seats, along with a manually-adjustable steering wheel make it easy to find a comfy driving position and all controls, dials and readouts are simple to use. The trackpad, which is viewed as quite dated these days, works well and you can always summon the car’s personal assistant by saying; “Hey Mercedes” and it can help with all manner of tasks, such as altering the radio station, making a phone call or adjusting the temperature. And if you can’t be bothered with all that, the separate panel for all the climate control functions is always welcome.

The  Mercedes EQV has a 90kWh battery delivering 204hp and 366Nm of torque. With its single-speed transmission, this front-wheel drive vehicle can reach 62mph from a standing start in 12.1 seconds and has a top speed of 98mph. So, not blisteringly quick out the starting gates, but still adequate for a people carrier where comfort certainly outshines pace in customer preferences.

That said; the EQV is no slouch either and quickly reaches motorway speeds where it sits comfortably at 70mph. You will notice a little wind and road surface noise at higher speeds mainly due to the silent running of the car, but the top quality, thumping sound system soon sorts that issue out.

With the battery installed in the underfloor area, it not only saves interior space but also improves the vehicle’s centre of gravity and the car responds instantly to the slightest throttle pressure.

There are drive modes called Eco, Comfort, Sport, plus a Maximum Range setting to eek out every mile from the battery range, which on our test car was a WLTP-tested 211 miles. In addition, steering wheel paddles alter the levels pf regeneration when braking.

Another feature is the ‘Lift’ setting which raises the EQV’s height. It works with the full air suspension system and can raise the vehicle 27mm when driving at speeds up to 16mph.

Getting in and out of the EQV is simple enough with the aid of grab handles and the driver has great visibility forwards and sideways. That said; with so many headrests behind you, the rear view is not the best. 

Safety features such as the blind spot assist, attention assist and active brake assist are vital features on a vehicle that will likely spend many of its days transporting the public from A to B through busy traffic.

The Mercedes EQV is a five-door, seven-seat people carrier that is aimed at the VIP sector so needs to have lots of luxurious fixtures and fittings as well as covering the practicality bases well. And generally, the car excels.

It has a strong road presence stretching 5,370mm in length, 2,249mm across and 1,908mm tall. There is ample room up front for the driver and passenger, but this is all about carrying passengers in style.

Electric sliding side doors offer easy access to the seats in row two. These seats are on runners so can slide back and forth. They can even be lifted and turned around to face passengers in the back row. And the Table Package is a great add-on. This can be raised or lowered and has two tables that fold out – one each side and there are secure cup holders too.

The third row of seats are easy to access thanks to the tilt, slide and folding features of seats in row two. And, unlike some seven-seater vehicles, anyone in seats six and seven will feel just as valued as they also benefit from ample leg, head and shoulder space.

Even with all seven seats occupied, there is enough storage space for luggage. In addition, there is a locking glovebox, deep door bins, cup holders, seat back nets, and numerous trays scattered throughout the cabin.

Charging the 90kWh battery from 10 to 80 per cent via a 110kW fast charger takes just 45 minutes, or a 10 to 100 per cent charge can be completed via a 11kW wallbox in 10 hours.

The Mercedes EQV 300 is available in three trim levels called Sport costing £83,530, Sport Premium at £86,170 and Sport Premium Plus, as tested, which was priced at £91,190.

With zero emissions, there is no road tax to pay on the EQV and it is also exempt from any Congestion Charge or low emission zone fees. Well, that’s the case at the moment anyway, but the Government will be removing these incentives in 2025. At that time, owners will also be subject to a £40k premium car levy for five years which will bump running costs up further.

The car is an attractive choice for business buyers though, who will likely make up the majority of sales. They will profit from the Benefit in Kind tax rating of just two per cent.

The Mercedes EQV 300 Sport Premium Plus comes with a standard three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, although the battery is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles. The test vehicle sits in insurance group 50.

We are seeing a steady growth in luxury seven-seater, van-shaped vehicles that provide high standards of transportation. The Mercedes EQV also benefits from an electric powertrain so, for now, will be free to move around London and the likes without being subject to expensive Congestion Charges. 

That makes it an ideal airport transfer model and, unlike some rival cars, even the passengers in row three are treated to ample space to stretch out.

The official 211-213 miles range between charges should easily complete most journeys and the vehicle can take a fast charge to add further miles quickly.

On the downside, the EQV has an eye-wateringly high price-tag in excess of £80k and that’s for the entry model.