THE ULTIMATE CAMPER? (some text hidden) --NONE--
By Jonathan Crouch
The V-Class Marco Polo offers Mercedes quality to the camper segment. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.
Ten Second Reviewword count: 32
If you've decided on a motorhome but you're used to five-star accommodation, then you'll want to consider the classiest choice in the segment. That's this model, now improved: Mercedes V-Class Marco Polo.
Backgroundword count: 154
Whenever talk turns to overnight accommodation, there'll always be people wanting that bit of extra luxury. When it comes to motorhomes, these people are being targeted by this model, the Mercedes V-Class Marco Polo. This long-running model line was eventually made available to UK customers in 2017, after three previous generations that were never sold here. The V-Class MPV underpinnings are those of Vito van that's a decade old, but this design still seems fresh thanks to a useful update in early 2024 that brought us the model we're going to look at here. It faces a growing mid-sized motorhome segment that now has three other car maker-marketed models vying for your attention; the recently re-designed Volkswagen California and Ford Transit Custom Nugget. And the Citroen Holidays. The Marco Polo aims to be a step up in luxury from those rivals - and for the price Mercedes is asking, it will need to be.
Driving Experienceword count: 230
These days, you can only have the Marco Polo with one engine choice, but it's the one most customers would have chosen anyway. In the single offered V 300 d form, this 2,631kg mobile bedsit feeds 239hp and 500Nm of torque through a 9-speed auto gearbox and the rear wheels to make 62mph in a very respectable 8.8s if you select 'Sport' mode. So safe short-notice overtaking is eminently possible. Soggy camp sites may not be because in our market, Mercedes isn't offering the 4MATIC 4WD system you can have on this model on the continent - putting the Marco Polo at a disadvantage to its Ford and Volkswagen rivals in the UK. What those rivals can't offer though, is the clever self-levelling air suspension system this Mercedes introduces to the camper market. This clever set-up (offered as an option) adjusts suspension height at each corner at the hold of a button, eliminating the pitch and tilt you'd otherwise get on bumpy camping grounds. And means that when you park up, the vehicle automatically levels itself for a good night sleep. As usual with a V-Class, there's a commanding driving position, so great forward visibility, though the steering wheel is set at a rather bus-like angle and your rearward view is limited by all the paraphernalia behind you. Without the air suspension fitted, potholes and speed humps are keenly felt.
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Statistics (subset of data only)
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Price: |
£88,440.00 (At 31 Jan 2025) |
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CO2 (g/km): |
207 |
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Max Speed (mph): |
133 |
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0-62 mph (s): |
8.8 |
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Combined Mpg: |
36.7 |
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Length (mm): |
5140 |
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Width (mm): |
1928 |
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Height (mm): |
1990 |
Scoring (subset of scores)
Category: MPV People Carriers
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Styling, Build, Value, Equipment, Depreciation, Handling, Insurance and Total scores are available with our full data feed. |

