When minivans fall on deaf ears there is one that dominates them all. The Mercedes V Class is a model of success. The least commercial format of all is no match for the capabilities of this great minivan. Where many have failed Mercedes has achieved success. Today it is the best-selling MPV in the world.
We have tested this car:
Test Mercedes V-Class 250 Bluetec, engine, driving and consumption (with video)Although many may call it a converted van, but it is much more than that. The Mercedes V-Class went on the market for the first time in the year in 2014, and not to be confused with its industrial variant, the Mercedes Vito. Although its appearance is very similar, the V-Class is focused on family use, within the tourism category.
In 2023 Mercedes proceeds to slightly renew its large minivan. Although its silhouette and format has barely changed, the V-Class has managed to improve. It has introduced innovations in various aspects, from the mechanics to the quality of some materials, but where it has improved the most is in the equipment. Nothing has to envy a saloon or SUV from the house.
Technical characteristics of the Mercedes V-Class
Under that aspect of a family van, the V-Class rests on the same platform as its industrial brother. The Mercedes Vito gives up its structure, part of its style and a large part of the mechanical fleet. That scalable architecture allows you to offer three possible bodies: Compact, Long and Extra Long.
starting for the smallest unit, it conforms to a few discrete measures: 4,89 meters long, 1,92 meters wide, 1,88 meters long and 3,2 meters wheelbase. The next step is long drive, which mainly extends the rear overhang: 5,14 meters long, 1,92 meters wide, 1,88 meters high and 3,2 meters of wheelbase. Finally the extra long version, which without modifying the rear overhang extends the wheelbase: 5,47 meters long, 1,92 meters wide, 1,88 meters high with a wheelbase of 3,43 meters.
The different versions are designed to offer more or less interior space and more or less cargo volume. The compact V-Class offers a minimum of 610 liters of luggage space. That figure increases to 1.030 liters if we jump to the long body. Finally, the extra-long version is postulated as the most capable, thanks to a minimum volume of 1.410 liters. In terms of passenger capacity, configurations can vary between four and eight passengers.
Mechanical range and gearboxes of the Mercedes V-Class
Lowered the hood of the Mercedes V-Class hides a wide mechanical offer. In this case there is no room for gasoline mechanics. To move such an amount of mass and charge the most viable option is to opt for diesel mechanics, and that is how it is done. Another peculiarity is that all Class V are managed by a nine-speed automatic gearbox of the torque converter type as standard.
When we talk about diesel mechanics we talk about a single engine that is capable of offering different levels of power. The range starts with the version 220 d with 163 hp and 380 Nm of torque. The next step is 250 d of 190 horses and 440 Nm of torque. And finally we come to the most performance level, the 300 d. In this case the engine stretches its power to the 239 horsepower with 530 Nm of torque.
Depending on the bodywork we can accompany this mechanics to a 4MATIC all-wheel drive system typical Mercedes. This 4×4 scheme is only available for the compact and long bodies. Soon this entire fleet will be joined by a 100% electric variant called mercedes equv. Its appearance will be the same as a Class V, but it will be powered by a 204 horsepower electric unit with a 100 kWh capacity battery and a 100% electric range of 405 kilometers.
Equipment of the Mercedes V-Class
For those who still think that the Mercedes V-Class is nothing more than a "decorated van" just take a look at the equipment that it is capable of having. But before going into it, it must be said that the Class V is a tourism, special attention has been paid to different aspects that do not matter in an industrial, such as the internal insulation, the noise of the motors, the quality of the materials and attention to detail.
Mercedes puts up for sale different equipment levels for the V-Class: V-Class (Base), Style, Avantgarde and Exclusive. In each of them we not only modify the equipment load, as we will now see, we also modify certain aesthetic aspects. We can go from a basic look of the entry levels, to a sportier look thanks to the AMG package, and finally to a more elegant style thanks to the Avantgarde and Exclusive levels.
If we talk about pure and simple equipment we see that the Mercedes V-Class has nothing to envy to high-level cars of the house. Among the many things you can count on, it is worth mentioning: LED headlights, keyless entry and start, MBUX system with voice control, leather upholstery, four-zone climate control, front seats with massage, 360-degree cameras, connectivity for mobile devices, doors automatic, and a vast team of safety elements and driving assistants.
The Mercedes V-Class in video
The Mercedes V-Class according to Euro NCAP
The V-Class has gained worldwide fame. Recognition comes everywhere, and it is that more than a converted van we are talking about a large format tourism. Its safety can make many modern cars look ridiculous. Euro NCAP has tested the safety of the Class V and has determined the highest award for it, five stars. Excellent were the results in the protection sections for adult and child passengers as well as assistant drivers. These valuations remain valid after the mid-2023 update.
The Mercedes V Class of Km 0 and second hand
In just five years, the Mercedes V-Class has conquered the market. Although its price is not particularly affordable, it has not been a big problem for its sale. Thanks to this, the second-hand or second-hand channel is well supplied with units for sale. The depreciation value of the Class V is low, maintaining good resale prices. In the best of cases, a used unit starts at prices close to 20.000 euros.
As for the Km 0 market, the offer is less varied, but it is also well nourished. All units for sale correspond to the restyling applied in 2019. Dealers accumulate units in stock due to the forecast of rapid sales. Attractive prices for some access units that can see their price reduced between 6.000 and 8.000 euros. The most widespread format is the long body, the most intelligent version due to its price-space ratio.
Rivals of the Mercedes V-Class
When the V-Class hit the market, it didn't have many rivals to contend with. There were large minivans, but not in the Mercedes format. The German showed the way for his rivals. Rivals that have abandoned the classic formats to show similar lines. Among the competition it is worth highlighting some names such as the Volkswagen Multivan, Toyota proace, Peugeot Traveler, Ford Tourneo Custom y Citroen SpaceTourer. They are all rivals by size, although the Mercedes is above in qualities and behavior.
Highlight
- habitability
- Comfort
- Finishes and equipment
To improve
- High price
- access equipment
- heavy rear seats
Prices of the Mercedes V-Class
Seeing the format of the V-Class, it can already be anticipated that its sale price will not be low. It is the king of minivans and that means that you have to pay to get their services. In the cheapest of cases the Mercedes Class V has a starting price of 74.150 euros for the shortest format of its bodies with the most modest finish of all. On the other side of the scale is the Class V 300 d Largo with Exclusive finish. Its minimum rate is 112.084 euros, without offers or promotions.
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