On December 2, 2022, Mercedes-Benz Vans unveiled a new EV designed for individual customers – the Mercedes EQT. It is a posh, eco-friendly vehicle for customers who need space for sports and other recreational activity gear. Here’s everything we know about the European electric MPV:
Design & Interior
The Mercedes EQT is a derivative of the Mercedes T-Class, and it has the same design as its donor model for the most part. The pure-electric variant of the T-Class blends into the Mercedes-EQ family with a ‘Black Panel’ radiator grille. The bumpers of the EQT are the same as those of the T-Class, and it seems Mercedes-Benz Vans didn’t bother designing new alloy wheels either.
Mercedes-Benz Vans is making a smaller EQV with the EQT, promising a new level of vehicle quality for the segment. The interior looks flexible and spacious, and customers can look forward to the company’s connectivity, comfort, and safety standards. However, the design is also no different from the T-Class.
7-inch touchscreen
The premium electric van packs a 7-inch touchscreen MBUX infotainment system with Hey Mercedes voice assistant, what3word (w3w), Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EQT is the only Mercedes-EQ model without a customizable digital instrument cluster. It has the same 5.5-inch display as the all-new T-Class instead.
Mercedes-Benz Vans has used ARTICO man-made leather for the upholstery of the center armrest and NEOTEX, another artificial material, on the door armrests and in the center panels of the front and rear doors. The seats carry black Norwich fabric upholstery with a gray honeycomb structure.
Ambient lighting and folding tables
Other key features of the Mercedes EQT include keyless-go (passive keyless entry), THERMOTRONIC dual-zone automatic climate control, height-adjustable front seats, Touch Control buttons on the steering wheel, electric parking brake, LED ambient lighting, and a wireless mobile phone charger.
Safety
The EQT has seven airbags, including a center airbag located between the driver and front passenger, as part of the standard passive safety features. Attention Assist, Hill Start Assist, Crosswind Assist, Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Speed Limit Assist, Active Distance Assist Distronic, and Active Steering Assist are also standard. Active Steering Assist with Parktronic and a backup camera and Trailer Stabilisation Assist (in combination with optional trailer coupling) are available optionally.
The Mercedes electric MPV looks confident in acquiring a 5-star Euro NCAP rating, as its donor vehicle, the T-Class, has received the highest star rating in Europe’s stringent vehicle safety tests. The gasoline- and diesel-powered model is excellent in passenger safety, having achieved 91% in adult occupant protection and 93% in child occupant protection. Its active safety systems also performed very well in the tests, giving it an impressive score of 90% in safety assist. The only area in which the T-Class didn’t manage that well is road user safety.
Range & Specifications
The Mercedes EQT is a close relative of the Renault Kangoo E-Tech, sharing the platform and the assembly line with the French donor. It is 4,498 mm long, 1,859 mm wide, and 1,819 mm tall and features sliding doors for easy access. It has a 2,716 mm wheelbase and a seating capacity of five people.
A long-wheelbase version is arriving by the end of 2023, and it will have a seven-seat option. Mercedes-Benz Vans had confirmed before the premiere that it will offer the EQT as a seven-seater van. The third-row could be foldable and removable.
The EQT employs a 45 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that provides a WLTP range of 282 km or 175 miles. It consumes 18.99 kWh per 100 km (62 miles) as per WLTP. It has one motor, which drives the front wheels, generating 90 kW (121 hp) and 245 Nm (181 lb.-ft.) of torque. The driver can select from two drive modes — Comfort and Eco — and choose between three recuperation levels — D-, D, and D+.
The EQT allows charging at up to 22 kW on alternating current and at up to just 80 kW on direct current. Its charging port is conveniently located in the front under the three-pointed star. Charging from 0 to 100% level on alternating current takes two and a half hours and charging from 10 to 80% level on direct current takes 38 minutes.
| Aspect | Mercedes EQT Specification |
| Length | 4,498 mm |
| Width | 1,859 mm |
| Height | 1,819 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,716 mm |
| Turning Circle | 11.20 m |
| Max. Load Compartment Length | 1,804 m |
| Curb Weight | 1,874-2,015 kg |
| Payload Capacity | 375-516 kg |
| Permissible GVW | 2,390 kg |
| Towing Capacity (braked/unbraked) | 1,500 kg/up to 750 kg |
| Drivetrain Layout | FWD |
| System Power | 90 kW (121 hp) |
| System Torque | 245 Nm (181 lb.-ft.) |
| Top Speed | 134 km/h (83 mph) |
| Battery Pack | 45 kWh lithium-ion |
| Maximum Charging Power (AC/DC) | 22 kW/80 kW |
| Charging Time (0-100% on AC/10-80% on DC) | 2.5 hours/38 minutes |
| WLTP Range | 282 km (175 miles) |
| WLTP Energy Consumption | 18.99 kWh/100 km (18.99 kWh/62 miles) |
Release Date
Production of the Mercedes EQT will take place in Maubeuge, France, alongside the Nissan and Renault vans. Priced around EUR 49,000 (USD 52,350) onwards in Germany, the electric small van is quite expensive.
Announcing its 2022 sales on January 10, 2023, Mercedes-Benz Vans said that it will offer its entire line-up with an electric powertrain from Q1 2023 (January-March 2023). The company specifically confirmed that the Mercedes EQT will also become available during the period. We think the German market launch could be just a few days away. Complete pricing, grade structure, equipment details, and final specifications should become available soon.
Mercedes EQT camper van
A Mercedes EQT Marco Polo based on the upcoming long-wheelbase version is under development. Mercedes-Benz Vans has shown it in a concept form and expects to unveil the final product in the second half of 2023. Before the full-fledged Mercedes EQT camper van goes on sale, a camping solution will become available in the EQT in the form of a Marco Polo module in the near future. It will consist of a bed and kitchen unit that customers can install and remove quickly.
TopElectricSUV says
The EQT combines the versatility and safety of a premium small van with the extra comfort, lower running costs, and eco-friendliness of an EV. It doesn’t come cheap, but it is among the few models in the segment to offer the quality and features of a luxury vehicle.
Mercedes EQT FAQs
What is the Mercedes EQT release date?
The Mercedes EQT will become available to order in the near future. It will be available as a five-seater initially.
Is the Mercedes EQT coming to the U.S. market?
It is unlikely that the EQT would be sold in the United States due to the incompatible specifications and range.
What is the Mercedes EQT price?
In Germany, the prices of the EQT start at around EUR 49,000 (USD 52,350).
Featured Image Source: Mercedes-Benz Group
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 16 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading CEOs and vehicle developers from around the world.
