The Iveco eSuperJolly is now the sixth electric large van in-market to use the aging Stellantis large van platform. It and the other vans it’s a rebadged version of – Citroen e-Relay, Peugeot E-Boxer, Vauxhall Movano Electric, Fiat e-Ducato, Toyota Proace Max EV – all suffer from the same problem. The electric powertrain is solid and refined, and it’s a practical shape and size, it's just coupled to a platform that sways and swells and rolls and bounces and feels old. And it doesn’t look much different either, apart from the enormous Iveco logo on the front. Okay, it's not that the eSuperJolly feels COMPLETELY outdated, it’s just very obvious it’s built on a twenty-year-old platform. And at just under £50K (ex VAT, before plug-in van grant reductions) it’s pricey, competing for attention with five other identical vans, and competing with a whole load more modern and better large electric vans like the Renault Master E-Tech and Ford E-Transit. Read my reviews of any of the eSuperJolly’s relatives and you know how this one is going to go, but the other vans don’t have the backing of a company like Iveco. Now, Iveco has earned (and deserves) its reputation in the commercial vehicle world as a company that understands the value of keeping vehicles on the road. And choosing to drive an Iveco van means you get access to all the service and aftersales support an established commercial-vehicle-only company can provide. It’s perhaps the only major differentiating factor this platform-sharing electric van can offer… but it could be a juicy slice of reassurance pie for many businesses out there.
The eSuperJolly is available in gross vehicle weights ranging from 3.5 to 4.25 tonnes, can carry payloads of up to 1,400 kg on the heaviest versions, and cargo volumes peaking at 17 cubic metres. Inside the cavernous cargo space, depending on which model you choose you’ll be able to fit up to five Euro pallets without issue. There are also plenty of tie-down points at sensible intervals throughout the load space. It has a relatively low loading height at the back end with a wide side door (large enough to slide a Euro pallet in from the side) and 270-degree-opening roof-height rear doors providing good accessibility. Practicality and carrying ability have never been trouble spots for these large Stellantis-alike vans, and Iveco’s version is no different.
Expert rating: 4/5
Interior
Next to the driver's seat is a two-seat bench with ample room for both passengers and the middle seat has a fold-down section for you to work on. There is a lot of storage, including a glovebox, big door pockets, under-seat storage on the passenger bench, and overhead storage cubbies. Depending on the trim you choose you’ll get a seven or 10-inch touch-screen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and electronic parking brake, the Keyless Entry & Go system for unlocking doors and starting the vehicle without removing the keys from your pocket, multiple charging ports and a wireless phone charging dock. Fabrics are tough and the plastic surfaces are easy to wipe clean… and if you’ve read any of my reviews of the other Stellantis-alikes then you know the cabin is perfectly fine! Iveco has not really done a lot to change the interior besides rebadging and some silver inserts – but it’s not really needed, it’s all fine.
Expert rating: 3/5
Running costs
The powertrain’s 110 kWh battery pack can provide a maximum range of up to over 260 miles, although that will depend on the size of the van you choose. However, it is rapid-charge-capable from 10 to 80 per cent in around 55 minutes if you can find a public charger. Charging at home will, of course, be cheaper but slower. The purchase price of just under £50K (ex VAT, before plug-in van grant reductions) is spicy – although not as spicy as the Toyota Proace Max – but can be broken down with a good finance or lease deal and offset by the excellent after-sale support you get from Iveco.
Expert rating: 4/5
Reliability
Being backed by Iveco’s 50-plus years of commercial vehicle experience and robust support network gives the eSuperJolly a relatively good reliability claim from the outset, but it also has a five-year mechanical warranty and an eight-year package applied to the battery. Iveco has confidence in its vehicles and support levels so the warranties reflect that. If you want more information on the reliability of the Stellantis platform in general, check out my reviews of the other vans.
Expert rating: 4/5
Performance
The powertrain’s 200 kW electric motor provides good acceleration and performance, but there are no surprises here. The powertrain is great, but the drive quality is let down by the aging platform with suspension that swells and roams like the sea, vague steering and a lack of control when unladen. You’ll be fine (just fine) on most road surfaces, but drive a Ford E-Transit and all bets are off. The regenerative braking system does deserve a mention, however, because it’s convenient and paddle adjustable, and pretty good at returning charge across all three levels.
Expert rating: 3/5
Ride and handling
As large vans go, I’ve always found the Stellantis-alikes pretty easy to drive in almost any environment. You can thank the powertrain for that. It’s smooth and powerful, with a good turning circle for something that can be up to 6.36 metres in length. The front-wheel-drive chassis is made for navigating tight city streets and industrial parks. It’s just a shame the old platform isn’t up to the standards of more modern large electric vans. You’ll get up to speed fine, but then have to wrestle with vague steering and swampy suspension. It’s not a big knock to the van overall, you have to balance the driving manners against the monthly lease price, after-sale support and cavernous load space.
Expert rating: 3/5
Safety
Like all the other Stellantis-alikes, the eSuperJolly has a gold Euro NCAP safety rating (four out of five stars). You get a full suite of safety features including Level 2+ advanced driver assistance systems including a driver airbag, electronic stability control, emergency brake assistance, lane control, traffic sign assist, adaptive cruise control, the excellent RearView camera and 360° parking sensors. The driving position is also high and comfortable with good visibility of the road ahead.
Expert rating: 4/5
Equipment
Like its smaller relative, the eJolly we recently reviewed, the eSuperJolly has more going for it in terms of equipment levels when compared to the other Stellantis-alikes. For one, you get a dedicated phone app providing vehicle status information, range updates, and charging scheduling to name a few things. Notable equipment highlights (some of which we’ve already mentioned) include the seven or 10-inch touch-screen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, integrated TomTom 3D mapping on the 10-inch display, hands-free control via an integrated voice-activated assistant, and the rear-view camera/sensor package.
Expert rating: 3/5
Why buy?
Is it good to wear a badge like ‘one of the best Stellantis-alikes’? Well, yeah, it is. Because it puts the eSuperJolly next to the Toyota Proace Max EV. They both offer strong after-sales support packages. Toyota with its 10-year warranty and Iveco with all the know-how and commitment to keeping commercial vehicles running that only a commercial-vehicle-only company can provide! The deal is that if you’ve driven or currently drive any of the large electric vans this one shares DNA with then you know what to expect, and we face the reality of better large electric vans already available. But if you’re new to this and want the backing of a company committed to keeping commercial vehicles on the road, have a look at the eSuperJolly… if the price is right there’s a lot behind it that could make all the difference.
