Mercedes-Benz V class a luxury yacht for the road
Here in South Africa the motoring buying public seems to prefer the SUV over just about everything else on offer.
Some adventurous buyers who, like SUV buyers want space tend to look towards people movers like the Hyundai H1, Volkswagen Kombi and the recently launched Toyota Quantum VX, however, if you want space, road presence and a heightened sense of importance than it can only be the Mercedes-Benz V class, which arrived at our office recently. Is it worth the premium over its competitors? Let’s find out.
The styling
The car that arrived at our office happened to be the latest version which received a slight refresh in the form of a redesigned front bumper and grille. Tick the AMG Line body kit option and the bumper gets two chrome slats while the grille gets a diamond-pattern chrome pin design that gives the front end a little more panache. My test unit had the non-AMG line garnish which rendered it a sight bit more subtle yet more sophisticated in my opinion. My test car also featured newly designed 19-inch alloy wheels finished in gloss black and chrome. The vehicle looks really good, elegant and premium. A chrome detailing strip below the rear window adds texture to the rear.
Interior
Getting into the V class you are greeted by a neatly designed facia with familiar trim elements such as the steering wheel, instrument cluster and infotainment screen. My biggest issue however is the fact that the new V class doesn’t make use of the brands latest MBUX software and still uses the previous generation software and rotary operating dial. Nevertheless, the interior is premium and there is adjustable ambient lighting throughout the cabin. The seats are comfortable and on my test unit offered massage functionality. Rear passengers will also feel as if they have been upgraded to business class thanks to the second row of two individual seats which can rotate to face back towards the third row. A table can be placed in the middle on specially designed mountings, or if you want it can be removed entirely. Rear passengers also benefit from their own ventilation system with controls mounted to the roof.
What about safety?
The new V class offers a host of new active and passive safety features such as Crosswind Assist, Attention Assist, brake assist as well as High-beam Assist Plus. The inclusion of 360-degree cameras also help in navigating parking lots and the blind spot assist is also a very welcomed feature.
The power
The V class which arrived at our office was the V250d. It features the brands tried and tested 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel which in 250d guise develops 140 kW/ 440 N.m. Matted to the engine is a 7-speed automatic gearbox. The reason why we don’t have the new 2.0-litre diesel is because of compliance issues according to Mercedes-Benz however that engine can be found in the new C class and E class. Despite this, the trusted mill remains effortless and frugal. Out on the road, I immediately took a liking to the upright driving position and due to the cars flat edges it is easy to gauge yourself in traffic. The V class also returned a relatively comfortable driving experience. I would have loved to point that star on the front end towards the horizon and only get out when the road meets the beach.
Verdict
Unfortunately, the V class, as good as what it is comes at quite a premium, R1 292 474 to be exact. Sure, you could opt for the Vito derivative but then forget about the VIP treatment and all the fancy toys. The Toyota Quantum 2.8 VX 9 seater will set you back R947 400 and it too features some impressive comfort and gadgets. That said, if you want a vehicle like this from a company perspective to transport VIP’s and CEO’s around in then the Mercedes-Benz is a tough one to beat.
