With a starting price of R2.3 million, the EWV demands attention. Here are the five most compelling features that define the experience and validate the EQV 300’s postiion as South Africa’s first true luxury people mover.

1. The 90kWh Battery and 110kW DC Fast Charging

For any long-distance electric vehicle in South Africa, the battery and charging capability are non-negotiable. The EQV 300 is equipped with a substantial 90kWh usable battery pack, which provides a claimed WLTP range of up to 363km.

Our test confirmed a real-world highway range of approximately 320km at typical South African speeds, which is manageable on key routes like the N1 and N2 planned stops.

Cruicially, the van supports 100kW DC fast charging, allowing you to top up the battery from 10% to 80% in about 40 minutes. This is the feature that transforms the encforced break into a productive or relaxing interlude, rather than a frustrating delay.

2. Silent Luxury: The Near-Silent Electric EQV Drivetrain

First up on our 5 Top Features That Define the Mercedes-Benz EQV 300 has to be its whisper-quiet operation. Replacing the diesel’s rumble with a near-silent electric whir elevates the entire passenger experience.

Elsewhere, the 150kW electric motor and 365Nm of instant torque provide a sprightly driving feel, making the 2 748kg people mover feel effortless in city traffic and surprisingly responsive on the open road.

3. EQV 300 Widescreen Cockpit with MBUX Augmented Reality Navigation

The EQV steps far beyond its commercial van origins with a technology suite borrowed directly from Mercedes-Benz’s latest passenger cars. The updated cockpit is dominated by twin high-resolution screens.

The dual 12.3-inch displays runs the sophisticated MBUX multimedia system while the built-in Augmented Reality Navigation overlays directional arrows and street names directly onto a live camera feed of the road ahead, proving immensely helpful when navigating unfamiliar towns and complex interchanges.

4. AIRMATIC Air Suspension for Ultimate Comfort

To truly deliver on its “luxury people mover” promise, Mercedes-Benz includes the sophisticated AIRMATIC air suspension as standard in the South African EQV 300. This is a game-changer for ride quality

The system automatically adjusts the damping for each individual wheel based on the road surface and driving situation, ensuring a superbly comfortable and composed ride.

AIRMATIC also maintains a constant vehicle height regardless of the load, crucial when carrying seven passengers and luggage. providing consistent handling and comfort across long distances.

5. Premium, Flexible Seating and Cabin Utility Define the Mercedes-Benz EQV 300

Despite its van roots, the EQV’s interior is thoroughly appointed as a luxuty vehicle, focusing on flexible space and high-end materials.

The cabin features high-quality materials like Lugano leather, wooden trims and 64-colour ambient lighting. The ability to slide and turn the captain’s chairs allows for a face-to-face conference seating arrangement.

Features like the electrically-operated sliding doors, and the three-zone climate control ensure that every one fot he seven occupants is treated to a premium, convenient experience.

Learn more on the Mercedes-Benz EQV 300 on the official Mercedes-Benz website.

The Journey Begins

Our adventure kicked off in Durban on Tuesday morning, where we were whisked to the Umhlanga dealership for what Mercedes calls a “product immersion.” After a light breakfast that featured perhaps too many pastries (no complaints here), the Mercedes-Benz Vans team walked us through the lineup’s positioning and the route we’d be taking over the next two days.

What became immediately clear was Mercedes’ intention to highlight the Vito’s dual personality – comfortable enough for passenger transport but robust enough for genuine work applications. This duality would be demonstrated by our drive route, which deliberately included everything from smooth highways to punishing gravel roads.

According to Beate Mey, Marketing Manager for Mercedes-Benz Vans SA, “The launch of the Select marks a significant milestone. Previously, only our illustrious V-Class was designed specifically with private customers in mind.” While the V-Class remains positioned as the ultimate luxury van, the Select focuses on versatility and play, providing what Mercedes describes as “a dynamic, engaging, yet still premium experience at a differentiated price point.”

First Impressions: The Vito Mixto

I started day one behind the wheel of the Vito Mixto, the Swiss Army knife of the range. With a configurable second row and cargo area, it’s designed for those who need both people and cargo capacity in varying combinations.

Pulling out of the dealership, the first thing that struck me was how car-like the driving now position feels. If you’ve spent time in Mercedes’ passenger vehicles, there’s a familiar feel to the controls, though with more utilitarian materials. The steering is surprisingly precise for a vehicle of this size – lighter than expected but with enough feedback to inspire confidence.

Under the bonnet, the Select range packs a punch with its MU6 engine delivering 140 kW of output power and an impressive 440 Nm of torque available from just 1,400 rpm. This power is managed through Mercedes’ excellent 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission, which delivers smooth shifts and contributes to reasonable fuel efficiency through its overdrive characteristics.

Having previously spent time with both the more premium V250d and V300d, I was curious how the Vito would compare. The family resemblance is obvious in the driving dynamics, but without the luxury flourishes. The Mixto handles with much of the same composure as its upscale sibling, though with a firmer ride that reminds you of its commercial underpinnings.

Adventure Break

Our mid-morning drive took us to our first activity stop, where Mercedes had arranged options that couldn’t be more different – pottery painting for those such as myself seeking a creative and calmer outlet, or ziplining for the adrenaline junkies. This mix of refined and rugged perfectly mirrored the Vito’s character.

After working up an appetite (the pottery was more stressful than expected – who knew I’d be so concerned about staying within the lines?), we were treated to lunch at Fable restaurant. The menu was as thoughtfully prepared as our drive route, with dishes that showcased local flavours while maintaining the refinement expected from a Mercedes event.

Putting It Through Its Paces

The afternoon drive is where things got interesting. The Mercedes team had deliberately chosen back routes leading to Brahman Hills Hotel, our overnight stop. These weren’t just scenic detours – they were challenging gravel and uneven roads that would expose any weaknesses in build quality or suspension tuning.

The Mixto handled these conditions with impressive composure. The suspension, which had seemed a bit firm on smooth tarmac, now made perfect sense as it absorbed ruts and corrugations without unsettling the vehicle. Body control remained consistent, and at no point did I feel like I needed to slow to a crawl to maintain comfort.

Fuel consumption averaged 9l per 100km throughout the day – not record-breaking efficiency, but perfectly acceptable considering the vehicle’s size and the challenging conditions. For fleet managers looking at running costs, this figure should provide a realistic expectation for mixed-use scenarios.

Perhaps most telling was what didn’t happen – after hours of being shaken on gravel roads, the Vito’s interior remained silent. No dashboard rattles, no loose trim pieces, no squeaking panels. Having heard complaints about build quality in earlier iterations, it’s clear Mercedes has addressed these issues. The cabin remained as solid at the end of the day as it had been in the morning.

Day Two: The People Carrier

For the second day, I switched to the Vito Tourer, the eight-seater passenger variant. With full rows of seating and more interior amenities, this is the Vito in its people-moving element.

The additional weight of the full interior is noticeable – the Tourer doesn’t feel quite as nimble as the Mixto – but it counters with superior ride comfort. Rear passengers were noticeably more comfortable over rough patches, with better sound insulation making conversation easier at highway speeds.
What impressed me most about the Tourer wasn’t any single feature, but rather how it managed to deliver genuine passenger comfort without feeling like a compromised commercial vehicle. Mercedes has clearly put thought into making this a vehicle people would choose to travel in, not merely tolerate.

Tech and Features

The interior of the Select range has received a significant upgrade, especially in the technology department. The redesigned instrument panel now features the MBUX multimedia system with a 10.25-inch touch display and a 5.5-inch TFT display. Smartphone integration comes standard with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and there’s a wireless charging pad conveniently located in the center console.

The cockpit feels properly modern with its heated multi-function steering wheel and electric seat controls that include a memory function – features you’d typically expect in Mercedes’ passenger car lineup. All seats are upholstered in black faux leather, which strikes a good balance between comfort, appearance, and practicality for active lifestyles.

One standout feature that makes daily living with the Vito more convenient is the combination of electric sliding doors and an electric tailgate – no more awkward juggling of bags and keys when loading up for a trip.

The driver assistance systems impressed as well. During our drive, I had plenty of opportunity to test the Active Lane Keeping Assist, which provided gentle guidance rather than jarring interventions. The Blind Spot Assist proved particularly valuable when navigating Durban’s busy morning traffic, and the Parking Package with reversing camera made squeezing into tight spots stress-free.

Visually, the Select range has also been refined with a colour-coded bumper and chromed radiator grille that give it a more upscale appearance than its commercial siblings. The Multibeam LED headlights provide excellent illumination and add a premium touch to the front end.

After two days and hundreds of kilometers across varying conditions, the Vito Select range proved itself as a genuinely versatile platform. The Mixto offers a compelling compromise for those who need flexibility, while the Tourer provides legitimate passenger comfort without the premium price of the V-Class.

What sets these vehicles apart isn’t revolutionary technology or flashy features – it’s the solid fundamentals. The balanced chassis, refined powertrains, and improved build quality create vehicles that feel engineered rather than merely assembled. For businesses looking to make an impression while maintaining practicality, or families needing space without full-size van compromises, the Vito Select range makes a strong case for itself. It’s a Mercedes that’s not afraid to get its hands dirty, but still cleans up nicely for client meetings.

And the pricing? The Mixto Select comes in at R1,264,200 including VAT, while the Tourer Select is priced at R1,360,000 including VAT. Yes, that represents a premium over some competitors, but considering the level of standard equipment – much of which would be costly options on rival vehicles – the value proposition is stronger than the numbers might initially suggest.

Would I choose it over competitors in this segment? Based on my time behind the wheel – particularly on those punishing gravel roads – the answer is a qualified yes. The price premium over more budget-oriented options seems justified by the driving experience, build quality, and comprehensive feature set. Whether that calculation works for your specific needs will depend on how you value the three-pointed star and the engineering behind it.

To introduce the vehicle, Mercedes-Benz invited us to a luxe road trip hosted in Cape Town. Seeing that this is one of our favourite cities, it was only fitting to experience it in the new V-Class.

What has changed on the 2020 V-Class? You may ask. The redesigned face incorporates a new grille above a deep and wide lower air intake, while ticking the AMG Line option box brings a ‘diamond’ radiator grille and a more aggressive bumper with a small lower intake flanked by wide, finned ducts on either side.

Minor tweaks at the rear include a switch to high-intensity LED tail-lights and a re-profiled bumper in the AMG Line package incorporating a central ‘diffuser’ section. Four new exterior colour choices are joined by four new alloy wheel designs.

Changes to the interior include new ‘double stripe’ trim elements, ‘turbine look’ air vents and an additional ‘tartufo’ (rich tan) leather option.

The range-topping model is designed to carry six people in the utmost luxury. Its cabin has been decked out with brushed aluminum-look trim on the center console, a leather-upholstered dashboard with contrast stitching, chromed accents around the air vents, and brushed aluminum pedals. All six captain’s chairs are upholstered with nappa leather, and the passengers benefit from a premium 16-speaker sound system manufactured by Burmester.

The center console from the outgoing model remains alongside its large integrated cooler and LED-illuminated cupholders that are both heated and cooled. The list of standard features includes a 230-volt outlet to keep mobile devices juiced up, numerous USB slots, navigation, a 360-degree camera that facilitates the task of maneuvering the van in tight spaces, and Mercedes’ crosswind assist technology.

S-Class limousine-style luxury rear seats with full recline function, back massage (with three intensity settings) and three ‘climatisation’ stages are optionally available at a price. Currently offered with a 140kW/440Nm 2.1-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, driving the rear wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Safety improvements include the addition of ‘Active Brake Assist’ (Merc-speak for AEB), and ‘Highbeam Assist Plus’ the three-pointed star’s active high beam system.

Functioning as a luxury people mover for private use or high-end business transport for professional drivers, with worldwide sales now exceeding 200,000 since the model’s global launch in 2014.

The new V-Class ranges from R 913 951.00 (including taxes) for the V 200d, to R 1 292 474.00 for the V 250d Avantgarde.