V FOR VICTORY? (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_mercedesv-class_2019

By Jonathan Crouch

One thing Mercedes' V-Class MPV certainly isn't short of is space. Jonathan Crouch reports on the updated version.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 119

The Mercedes-Benz V-Class is one of the very biggest and plushest MPVs you can buy. As a people mover in the truest sense, it's only real competition comes from other large, van-based MPVs - or public transport. If you want to take up to eight people and their luggage in a vehicle that makes a very high quality statement, then it's a difficult option to ignore. Yes, it has commercial roots, but in this improved form, they're very well disguised, with both interior and exterior styling and finish having progressed considerably. If you want to carry seven or eight people and all their luggage - and do so with a bit of class, then this vehicle's worth a look.

Backgroundword count: 130

There aren't many alternatives open to you if a really sizeable People Carrier is needed for up to eight people. And if that MPV must make a really sizeable statement of quality, the options reduce to just one: this Mercedes V-Class. Like its most direct competitor, Volkswagen's Multivan, the only way that this V-Class can offer up to eight seats and appropriate luggage space for that many people is to be van-based. In this case, on a Mercedes Vito. That might not be the biggest van that Stuttgart makes but it's quite large enough to create in the V-Class a very large MPV indeed. And a more sophisticated one these days that boasts sharper looks and more opulent trim options. So how does it all stack up? Let's find out.

Driving Experienceword count: 283

The powertrains haven't changed as part of this update, so as before, combustion models use the brand's OM654-series 2.0-litre diesel driving the rear wheels and mated to a nine-speed automatic. As before, this 2.0-litre, four-cylinder powerplant is offered in a couple of states of tune. The V220d has 163hp and 380Nm of torque - which is enough for a 0-62mph time of 11.0 seconds and a top speed of 121mph. The more potent V300d has 239hp and 500Nm of torque, although it can deliver 30Nm of 'over-torque' beyond this figure for short periods; it can manage the 0-62mph dash in 7.9 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 137mph. There's also an all-electric EQV variant. Here, a 100kWh lithium-ion battery develops a 204hp total output with 362Nm of torque and can now offer a claimed driving range of up to 222 miles between charges. As with most EVs, the top speed is rather limited - in this case to 98mph. Across the range, in our market, we can't have the four-wheel-drive variants on offer in mainland Europe. But Mercedes has tried hard to optimise the ride and handling package that its biggest People Carrier can offer. Hence the standard 'Agility Select' system that allows you to tweak throttle response, gearchange timings and feedback from the 'Direct Steer' speed-sensitive steering to suit the way you want your V-Class to respond. Plus there's 'Agility Control' adaptive suspension, a set-up able to tweak the damping to suit road conditions. Ultimately, all these efforts aren't really enough to make the dynamic experience on offer here in any way rewarding, but the overall compromise is decently impressive by the moderate standards of the super-sized MPV class.

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