Mercedes eCitan review

They say two's company and three's a crowd but the Mercedes eCitan sits in both camps: as well as being suited to company use, it's also part of crowd.

You see, the eCitan is a small electric van that shares lots of parts with two other models – the Renault Kangoo E-Tech and the Nissan Townstar EV.

They all have the same motor and batteries, and are available in regular and long-wheelbase versions, but Mercedes has added its own imprint to make its model stand out from those related vans, plus other competitors.

Rivals include the Citroën ë-Berlingo Van, the Fiat E-Doblo, the Peugeot e-Partner, the Toyota Proace City Electric and the Vauxhall Combo Electric.

So, is the Mercedes eCitan among the best electric vans you can buy, or will you be better off picking one of the other models available? Read on to find out...

Mercedes vans have traditionally been good to drive and we’d expect the same of the eCitan. Fortunately, it lives up to that expectation, offering neat handling, a comfortable ride and decent performance from its electric motor.

Speaking of the motor, it’s a 121bhp unit which produces 181lb ft of torque – figures that make it almost as potent as the most powerful diesel engine in the regular Mercedes Citan.

Some rivals offer more power, but based on our experience, you won’t miss the extra turn of speed. Indeed, the instant torque from the motor spirits you away from a standing start with ease, even if your van is loaded up. In fact, we’d say it feels every bit as quick as any diesel Citan.

Refinement is good too, with very little road noise and only a small amount of wind noise from around the large door mirrors.

While the eCitan is good to drive, it doesn’t offer the same levels of flexibility as some Mercedes electric vans. For example, because it's based on the Renault Kangoo E-Tech, you’ll only find three settings for the regenerative braking rather than the five you might be used to.

We suspect many drivers won’t care or notice the difference, but if you’re used to the Mercedes way of doing things, it’s a small negative. 

For those not looking to customise their braking and coasting, it’s best to leave the van in its automatic (D) mode. That gives you a normal driving feel rather than the strong braking you get in D-, or the free-wheeling feeling you’ll find with D+.

Every eCitan has a 45kWh battery and the official range is up to 174 miles on a full charge, which is competitive among small electric vans. Bear in mind, though, that you’re unlikely to match that figure in the real world, where factors including the temperature and your driving style will have an impact on how far you can travel.

Driving overview

Strengths Brisk performance; decent electric range

Weaknesses Fewer regen options than in other Mercedes models

If you've spent time in older Mercedes Citans, you'll probably notice that the eCitan's interior feels more spacious. That's because the newest Citan is built on much wider underpinnings than the previous model.

You’ll appreciate the difference most in the elbow room and space around your knees, and with a wider cab the eCitan feels just as roomy as its bigger stablemates – including the Mercedes Vito – despite being much smaller overall.

Visibility is good all round, and for such a small van, the eCitan offers a comfortable place to be in for extended periods of time.

From the piano-black surrounds on the air vents to the familiar, easy-to-use software of the 7.0in infotainment touchscreen, the eCitan looks a cut above most small vans, including the equally spacious Renault Kangoo E-Tech. It certainly feels more welcoming than a Citroën ë-Berlingo Van or Peugeot e-Partner.

The Mercedes MBUX touchscreen infotainment system looks flashy, and there's substance to back up the style: it's quick to respond to your inputs and the voice-control featured works well.

Buyers get a subscription to connected services offered by Mercedes me app, which let you set the temperature of the interior, and lock and unlock your van using your smartphone.

Interior overview

Strengths Plenty of space; looks and feels classier than rivals

Weaknesses Nothing major

It’s rare to find a small electric van with a high payload, but the Mercedes eCitan gives it a good go.

It’s available with two gross vehicle weights (GVWs), with standard models with a total mass of 2240kg able to haul 544kg. Opting for the long-wheelbase eCitan increases the GVW to 2490kg. That means not only do you get a 400mm longer van, but also 722kg more payload capacity.

Load volumes, meanwhile, remain unchanged compared with the regular (non-electric) Citan, with a 2.9m³ capacity for the regular van, and up to 3.6m³ for long-wheelbase models.

There’s also lots of space in the front. Small vans are often plagued with limited useful storage spaces around the driver, but the eCitan has you well covered.

The door pockets are ideal for large bottles, and there are sensible slots for your mobile phone in the centre console, with USB charging ports. There’s even a covered storage area directly above the steering wheel for your odds and ends.

Practicality overview

Strengths Competitive GVWs; long-wheelbase option

Weaknesses Very little

Van drivers rarely agree on most matters, but one thing they’re likely to agree on is that Mercedes vans tend to offer a comprehensive suite of assistance and safety equipment, usually as standard. That’s definitely true for the eCitan, which manages to pack a lot in, even if it doesn’t lead the field with any one innovation.

Standard safety systems include Crosswind Assistance and Speed Limit Assistance (which recognises road signs and helps keep your speed within the limit).

There are also optional safety systems available with the Pro trim level, including lane-keeping assistance, active brake assistance and active steering assistance. Those should help to take the sting out of long motorway journeys, meaning you’ll reach your destination ready to work.

When it comes to buying an eCitan, you won’t be surprised to know that the starting price is slightly more than an equivalent model from all its French rivals, be it the Citroën ë-Berlingo, the Renault Kangoo E-Tech or the Peugeot e-Partner.

Still, the entry-level eCitan trim – called Progressive – comes with higher levels of standard equipment than rivals, including parking sensors and a reversing camera.

It’s testament to how well equipped the inside of the eCitan is as standard that the next step up – to Premium trim – adds nothing to the interior. It upgrades the wheels to 16in alloys, and gets you LED headlights and metallic paint.

One slight disappointment is that the maximum charging speed is a relatively modest 80kW, which is not that fast these days. Mercedes says it will take 38 minutes to bring the battery level from 10% to 80%.

The eCitan comes with a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, plus the drive battery is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles. Buyers also get MobiloVan roadside assistance bundled in with the warranty.

Costs overview

Strengths Lots of standard equipment; plenty of safety kit

Weaknesses Higher price than rivals; charging speed isn't that quick

For all the latest van reviews, news, advice, and videos visit our dedicated van section here