The Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer is a practical MPV with a good range.
Good points
- Great for business users
- Versatile interior
- Up to nine seats
Bad points
- Interior is less premium than EQV
- Basic infotainment system
- Several more affordable alternatives
Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer Introduction
Mercedes-Benz already offers battery powered versions of most of its commercial vehicle range. Having expended this offering into the passenger carrying segment with the upmarket EQV, now there is a slightly less premium version, called the eVito Tourer. It uses similar underpinnings but swaps the luxurious interior for a more conventional setup that gives it broader appeal and makes it more affordable.
Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer Design and Specs
The Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer is more function than form, and it does have a different exterior look to its posher sibling, the EQV. The latter is more of a premium product, yet the eVito is no less practical, and its more sensible price point is sure to make buyers question whether the EQV’s added luxury is worth it.
With a sliding door on each side and a single lift-up tailgate, the eVito Tourer provides easy access for passengers and luggage. It runs on 17-inch alloy wheels from the factory, with 18-inch versions available as an option. Buyers can choose to add electrically operated sliding doors and opt for twin rear doors that open to 180 degrees. The latter option can be more convenient for those frequently using car parks, where rear space may be limited.
Safety equipment includes Active Brake assist, headlight assistant, cruise control and rain-sensing wipers. There’s Android Auto and Apple CarPlay available for smartphone connectivity. Tempmatic air conditioning and a six-way adjustable driver’s seat are also standard on the base model.
Mercedes adds front and rear painted bumpers to the higher grade version, plus a chrome grille and interior package, an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat. However, a reversing camera is an optional extra. It’s worth having on such a vehicle, though it might be worth shopping around for aftermarket specialists to install.
Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer Battery and Range
Only one battery size is available in the Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer, a generous 90kWh (usable) pack that provides enough energy for a WLTP driving range of up to 356 kilometres. That’s a good deal larger than the 35kWh battery that Mercedes currently fits to the eVito panel van. That can only manage a claimed driving range of up to 150 kilometres.
The higher range figure should suit the majority of daily use cases. If you stick more to city and town driving, or the low (extra urban) cycle as Mercedes calls it, where the speeds are lower, that driving range can increase up to 600 kilometres. It is worth noting that if you fill all of the eVito Tourer’s seats, that additional weight could significantly impact the total driving range.
Mercedes equips the eVito Tourer with an 11kW onboard AC charger, the same as Polestar 2, that can fill the battery in ten hours, ideal for overnight charging. When out and about, the peak rapid charging rate of 110kW means that getting back up to 80 percent can be done in around 40 minutes, provided you can find a suitable charging station.
Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer Interior Space
There are two body lengths with the eVito Tourer, known as L2 and L3, which measure 5,140mm and 5,370mm, respectively. This difference in size applies aft of the rear wheels, meaning that the L3 can swallow up to 4.1m³ versus the L2’s 3.6m³. Thanks to a quick-release function for both rows of passenger seats in the back, it takes only a few minutes to switch over to a van configuration for lugging bulky cargo items around. The seats are heavy, though, so it’s a task that is made much easier with two people. Nevertheless, this added versatility gives users effectively two vehicles, one for ferrying passengers around and one for lugging cargo.
Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer Drive
It’s easy to look at the eVito Tourer and think it is purely a vehicle for business users and companies, but it is equally practical for larger families where seat numbers and luggage space are critical. This type of vehicle offers much more than even the largest SUVs currently on the market, even if it might not be seen to be as fashionable. Another aspect that brings this closer to an SUV is the elevated driving position. The eVito Tourer provides a great view of the road ahead and a comfortable driver’s seat.
While only one electric motor is available with the eVito Tourer, its 201hp output provides good performance though it never feels all that quick. That power goes to the front wheels via a single-speed automatic transmission, and the delivery is smooth. It does get up to speed quite quickly, such as when joining a motorway. Once cruising, the electric motor’s power output reduces to 94hp to prolong the driving range. The official energy consumption figure is 28.4kWh/100km in WLTP conditions, which isn’t bad for a vehicle of this size, but that number will vary a lot depending on loading and driving the eVito Tourer.
Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer Summary
While there may be more of a case for business users to look at the eVito Tourer, it is a vehicle that also shouldn’t be ruled out by private buyers seeking an electric vehicle with the added space and practicality that just isn’t available in the current crop of SUVs.
