Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo Review 2024
Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo At A Glance
The Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo is the premium alternative to the Volkswagen California and - like its German rival - provides a smart combination of upmarket family transport and five star accommodation.
Mercedes-Benz doesn't the enjoy the same camper van history as Volkswagen, but the Marco Polo more than makes up for lost time, with its interior and high levels of standard equipment providing a notable edge against the similarly priced Volkswagen California Ocean.
Converted by Westfalia - a German specialist that made its name by converting Volkswagen vans in the 1970s and 1980s - the Marco Polo provides a home from home experience, with kitchenette that features twin gas hob, running water and a fridge. The rear bench adjusts electrically into a flat and comfortable double bed, and two more can sleep in the raised roof, which is also electrically operated.
Like the California, the Marco Polo gets external connections for power and fresh water, with the latter providing a supply for the compact sink and taps located next to the gas hob. The leather interior also gets swivelling driver and passenger seats, a foldable table and three-zone climate control. A removable camping table plus two chairs, with storage bag, are located in the boot.
Everything is easy to use and find, with LED ambient lighting and soft closing cupboards and drawers giving the Marco Polo's living space a smart and modern feel. Both the side sliding door and tailgate are electric, while the options list includes an auxiliary heater that will provide warm air when you're parked up for the night. The split tailgate is also a useful feature, allowing you to access the boot in a car park when space is limited.
Under the bonnet of the Marco Polo is a 2.1-litre turbodiesel engine. The four-cylinder diesel is the same unit found in the V-Class and is available in two outputs – 163PS and 190PS - and both will officially return 44.8mpg. A seven-speed automatic transmission is standard across the range.
Given its premium feel, beautifully crafted interior and high levels of standard equipment, the Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo edges ahead of the Volkswagen California on almost every level. On the downside, there is no four-wheel drive option and some of the optional extras are a little disappointing in quality - the awning is particularly poor - but small niggles aside the Marco Polo is the best compact camper van money can buy.
Driven: Mercedes-Benz V-Class Marco PoloUpmarket and packed with luxurious kit - which includes yacht-style wooden flooring - the Marco Polo feels every inch a Mercedes-Benz. The fit and finish of the interior is exquisite, and the car-like refinement makes a real difference. |
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