What's the difference?
As far as vehicle niches go, this is pretty niche. The Mercedes-Benz EQV is Australia’s first premium electric seven-seat commercial vehicle-based people mover.
The EQV falls under Benz’s electric ‘EQ’ banner and is based on the Vito van platform, but adapted to house an all-electric powertrain.
However, unlike the popular EQA small SUV or recently launched EQB, don’t expect to see too many EQVs on the roads.
It is likely to appeal to airport transfer operators, hotels and other corporate customers that need to ferry multiple people around in comfort.
But given the kilometres those airport limo drivers can clock up in a day, is an EV capable of doing the job? And will these buyers be happy to fork out more than $150,000 for the privilege?
Sharing the same Volkswagen Group PPE platform as its main rival, the Porsche Macan 4S, the newly launched Audi SQ6 e-tron has promised both efficiency and performance.
Is it a combination that can be achieved in real life? My family of three have been testing it out this week to find out for you.
The EQV is indeed a curious offering. The driving range is decent, but not outstanding, and depending on what you’re using it for, it could be a savvy investment. Especially if you charge using solar power. You’ll also save on servicing costs. But if you’re a limo operator, it really will depend how many kilometres you’re going to do each day. A V-Class might suffice.
Either way it’s great that Benz is giving buyers electric options in a variety of body styles and segments - an SUV simply won’t suit everyone.
If you can live with that ride quality and have the deep pockets for an EQV, there’s more than enough to like. But I suspect there won’t be many of you.
When it comes to a performance electric SUV, the Audi SQ6 e-tron is a fine example and showcases a masterclass in design. It drives and handles beautifully, even if it’s not as fun as I expected.
The technology looks amazing and I'm sure the little bumps we experienced will be ironed out with a software update.
The SQ6 will suit a smaller family best but the decent driving range and fast charging capabilities means regional families might like it too.