Review and test Mercedes Clase V 300d, a people carrier with capital letters

Some of you will surely be thinking that the Mercedes Clase V looks more like a van than a people carrier, but I really think it is unfair to call it a van, and if you keep reading this test you will surely not consider it a van anymore (the Mercedes Vito perhaps, but not the Mercedes Clase V).

We got behind the wheel of the updated Mercedes Clase V, in its 300d diesel version which delivers 239 CV. For those who want a people carrier with seven real seats and more boot space, this test will undoubtedly interest you.

Design: sporty outside, big inside

The exterior design of the Clase V is imposing—yes, it is a van—but with a sporty design thanks to the AMG details. Besides its large front end, with the new grille and its full-LED headlights, what stands out most are the 19-inch alloy wheels in black. From the side, the AMG finish is again noticeable in the skirt running along the entire flank, highlighting its huge electric sliding side doors and the glazed surface with tinted windows.

At the rear, the large tailgate (with electric operation) has several chrome details (which distinguish it from the Vito), a tailgate we must keep in mind if we park very close to another vehicle when opening it. Finally, in the exterior section, we should highlight the double panoramic roof that lets in plenty of light to the interior and can even be opened.

Inside is where it truly earns the name people carrier and makes us forget the word van. The design and finishes have nothing to envy from a Clase C, with lines familiar from the brand, highlighting the upright-positioned screen or the multimedia control knob on the centre console, all neatly arranged and without a transmission tunnel.

The materials and finishes stand out for their quality, soft-touch plastics, premium materials and fit and finish typical of a saloon from the brand. In this respect it has no rival on the market, since other vans with premium versions are unable to reach this level of finish.

Besides quality, another feeling inside is the space. With no transmission tunnel there is a lot of room in the front seats, and the rest of the cabin accommodates the seven seats with ample space for both feet and head. The driving position is high and comfortable, with good visibility and everything within easy reach.

The seating layout of our test unit was 2+2+3, all individual seats, although this can be changed. In the second row, there are two seats and the option to fit a table (highly recommended if you plan to work from it) or even replace the three rear seats with two enormous, maximum-comfort armchairs inherited directly from the Mercedes Clase S. It all depends on the configuration we want and on our budget limit. The seats in our unit, besides being comfortable, allowed individual adjustment of both backrest recline and the option to slide the seat longitudinally to gain space in one row or another.

In addition, it has a large glovebox in the lower part of the centre console that lets us store all kinds of bulky items and even bottles thanks to the cup holder. It also has interior lighting throughout the cabin, independent climate control for the second and third rows of seats, several storage recesses on the sides of the rows and 12V sockets for charging our devices.

The boot has a modular size, depending on how we have moved the seats, but it can reach up to 1,000 litres of capacity with all seven seats and three rows, undoubtedly an unbeatable figure.

Engine and performance: sportiness and muscle

The sporty look is evident from the outside, but what pleasantly surprised us was the response of this 300d diesel version with 239 CV. Despite the name, the unit under the bonnet is a 2.0 four-cylinder, a highly capable engine which, thanks to its 530 Nm of torque, will make this vehicle over five metres long and two tonnes in weight gain speed quickly. The engine’s thrust has nothing to envy from six-cylinder diesel engines: as soon as we press the accelerator and it climbs past 3,000 rpm, the Clase V presses us back into the seat and the speedometer rises rapidly.

It is not a particularly quiet engine, but it is smooth and linear as the revs climb, with notable responsiveness from low revs (it comes alive at just over 1,600 rpm) up to nearly 4,500 rpm, a good usable range for a four-cylinder diesel. Paired with the engine is the 9G-TRONIC gearbox, with nine speeds that stand out for their smoothness, and it features a sport mode and sequential shifting with paddles.

Handling: comfortable and reasonably dynamic

The main characteristic behind the wheel of the Clase V is comfort, the level of interior soundproofing is very high and there is not even a sensation of speed. The suspension strikes a well-judged balance between dynamism and comfort. In fact, dynamically it stands out, because despite its predictable body roll, it goes further than a smaller van, with cornering more akin to an SUV than to a vehicle over five metres long and almost 1.90 metres tall.

In fact, on winding roads, other models in the segment show more body roll or can be more uncomfortable than the Mercedes Clase V. That said, the good feel through corners and the stability at high speeds, together with interior soundproofing that removes any sense of speed, mean that when we reach a bend we are not entirely aware of the dimensions of the vehicle we are driving, at least during the first kilometres behind the wheel. To help out, the braking system is powerful (although, within the fatigue it suffers when stopping a vehicle of this size and weight).

Consumption

The diesel engine shows in the consumption figures, since on the open road it makes do with only 7.5 litres per 100 km, a fairly modest figure for this type of vehicle. In mixed driving with urban stretches, consumption rises to 9 litres per 100 km, and on motorways on our usual route we achieved figures of 7.3 litres per 100 km.

Equipment

Our unit was not exactly the least equipped in the range, a range that starts with the “Rise” trim, which falls short in equipment—especially exterior—since it includes: steel wheels with wheel trims, fully halogen headlights, touch-screen multimedia system, four speakers, multiple airbags, cruise control, fatigue assistant, automatic headlight activation, hill start assist, among others.

Our unit featured the AMG line, which gives it an exterior look with specific bumpers and black wheels also special to this trim. In addition, among the safety assistants it included: blind-spot warning, lane departure warning with steering intervention, automatic high beam or automatic emergency braking in the event of a frontal collision.

The multimedia system received the MBUX functionality at the end of last year, which greatly improves its interaction; the sound system also stands out (which on our unit was standard) and sounded really good. The full-LED front lights also stand out for their outstanding illumination, with automatic high-beam control.

Opinion and price of the Mercedes Clase V

The starting price of this Mercedes Clase V is 48,765 euros, with the 220d diesel engine producing 163 CV, 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox and Rise trim. The price of our unit with the 300d diesel engine and AMG trim with the extras mentioned exceeds 70,000 euros.

For anyone looking for a people carrier with capital letters, for large families or to transport more than five people in great comfort, this Mercedes Clase V meets expectations. Comfort in any of the seating rows is guaranteed, and comfort on board or on the road is at the same level as any saloon from the brand. In addition, there is room for occupants and luggage, and a à-la-carte equipment list with which to complete the Clase V to our taste, provided we have no problem with the final bill, because we are dealing with a premium people carrier in every respect.

Photos | Test team