Mercedes-Benz eCitan Panel Van (2023 - ) Electric review

The Mercedes-Benz eCitan comes in two body lengths - L1 and L2 - offering load volumes starting at 2.9 cubic metres and increasing in the longer model. Payloads start at 544kg in the compact model - far lower than the diesel equivalent - while the longer model can carry up to 722kg. Interestingly, this increase in weight carrying is provided by the longer model being fitted with a reinforced rear axle. The gap between the wheel arches on all models is 1,240mm (the perfect width for a Euro pallet). The eCitan, like the Kangoo E-Tech, can also tow a braked trailer weighing up to 1,450kg - impressive. As you can see, being based on the excellent Renault Kangoo platform has its benefits - being a small premium van only works if practicality needs are satisfied. This electric version loses points purely because all electric vans have to compromise on payload due to heavier battery packs.

The interior of the Mercedes-Benz eCitan feels premium even at the ‘Progressive’ trim level, but far nicer at the ‘Premium’ trim level, which is what I was given. These trim level names are going to get confusing if I keep using the word ‘premium’ to describe the features. Firstly, the eCitan’s cabin is very spacious with ample legroom and elbow room available for driver and passenger alike. Height might restrict taller drivers, but the seats are comfy with a lot of give. Mercedes vents and glossy black plastic is everywhere, but doesn’t feel overused… although it picks up fingerprints very easily! The multi-function steering wheel is leather-wrapped with tasteful button placement, and the dashboard is clear with a useful digital screen in between the speedo and battery usage dial. The 7-inch touchscreen runs Mercedes own infotainment system and feels clunky next to the Kangoo’s, but it is what it is and I didn’t have any issues plugging my phone in and using Android Auto (which says a lot). At the ‘Progressive’ trim you get climate control, heated seats, parking assist, sat nav, the infotainment system, and more, while the upgrade to ‘Premium’ adds the finishing touches of gloss black and chrome interior. For me, the new eCitan is easy to rate highly against the previous model. I always felt that the previous generation was far too pokey - this latest model has upgraded the internal storage and personal space, for me that would have been enough to boost its reputation.

Here’s where the Mercedes-Benz eCitan gives with one hand and takes away with the other. Running an electric van is comparably cheaper than a conventional fuel van, although your range per charge is lower than a tank of fuel. Also, the up-front cost starts at over £33,000 new, not including VAT or the plug-in van grant, although you do get a lot of equipment as standard that other entry-level small electric vans don’t provide. I mean, it’s what you’d expect with a premium van - you pay for what you get.

As electric vans go, the Mercedes-Benz warranty speaks volumes as to its reliability. The standard vehicle warranty length is three years on unlimited mileage, which is fine, but the battery pack comes with an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty. This is rapidly becoming the industry standard warranty combo on electric vans - it’s a solid level of confidence, but Nissan’s 5-year warranties still blow most of the competition out of the water.

Powered by a 122hp electric motor, the eCitan feels powerful to drive with almost 250Nm of torque delivered to the front wheels as soon as you plant your foot on the accelerator. Like its Renault and Nissan equivalents, it is quick off the mark and very fun to drive. The novelty of driving a van that can outpace a sports car never gets old! You get a few driving modes to play with - D-, D and D+ - offering a regenerative braking setting, standard driving and coasting mode, respectively. I found the regen braking mode was very pinchy and made me feel a little rumbly in the tummy, but it increased my range slightly so it was an even trade.

Taking into account the previous section of this review, the electric motor offers a smooth ride I’ve enjoyed every time I’ve hit the road. This van feels rock solid and even faster corners don’t make it feel unstable to drive. It’s not the most exciting drive you’ll ever have, but I cannot fault a van that responds as accurately as the eCitan.

This latest version of the Mercedes-Benz eCitan is the safest yet, with a hefty array of equipment available as standard - far better than the equipment offered by Renault on the Kangoo E-Tech too! As standard, you’ll get crosswind assist, attention assist, speed limit assist, traffic sign recognition, active brake assist, blind spot assist, active lane keeping assist, six airbags and an Isofix point on the passenger seat that automatically disables the passenger airbag! Genuinely impressive, and I’ve given it top marks because this is the area Mercedes has really made the van platform its own.

No one can accuse the Mercedes-Benz eCitan of not offering a good equipment level. At ‘Progressive’ trim level you get climate control, heated seats, auto lights and wipers, heated windscreen, rear parking assist, multifunction steering wheel, heated/powered door mirrors, parking sensors at the rear, reversing camera, sat nav, infotainment system, electric parking brake and keyless entry. ‘Premium’ trim adds the body-coloured bumpers, metallic paint (the model I drove looked fantastic in its Helvite Silver metallic paint suit), 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and foglights, and gloss black and chrome interior detailing. ‘Progressive’ is a great entry level, but for the finer luxury touches ‘Premium’ is well worth a look if you don’t mind a slightly higher up-front cost.

This is the ultimate question for a premium electric small van that offers a good level of poshness in a category dominated by cheaper vans - why choose the eCitan over any others. There’s not really a good answer, especially when you place it next to the Renault Kangoo E-Tech - these are two nearly identical electric vans available at wildly different prices. If you want premium, go for the eCitan, you’ll be hard pushed to find a small electric van that feels quite so nice to drive in terms of how its internal experience will make you feel. And it can’t be denied that the three spokes of the Mercedes badge do say a lot without talking - this is a good-looking van that will (and does) turn heads. You’ll have to compromise slightly on practicality, but that’s always the way with ‘premium’ vans.