Mercedes-Benz eCitan Review 2024

Bringing an element of class to the small electric van market, the Mercedes eCitan shares its foundations with the Renault Kangoo E-Tech and Nissan Townstar Electric. Is it more than a rebadged Renault though? Find out in our full Mercedes eCitan review .

Available in two different sizes (L1 and L2), as well as two different trim levels (Progressive and Premium), the Mercedes eCitan has a start price in the region of £34,000 (excluding VAT). That means it's pitched, unsurprisingly, slightly above mainstream competitors like the Citroen e-Berlingo and Toyota Proace City Electric.

Standard equipment across both models is pretty comprehensive. The Mercedes eCitan Progressive comes with heated seats, cruise control and MBUX navigation - all features you'd expect as standard in an entry-level Mercedes passenger car, but not necessarily a van. The top-spec Mercedes eCitan Premium adds some exterior styling upgrades (including a painted bumper and 16-inch alloy wheels), as well as LED headlights with highbeam assist.

All Mercedes eCitan models are powered by a 45kWh battery which provides an official range of up to 176 miles. We saw an efficiency figure of around 3.0 miles per kWh during our test drive - meaning a real-world range of around 135 miles. In fairness, most of our testing was carried out at motorway speeds in the depths of winter - the Mercedes eCitan is a van which is much more suited to around town deliveries or hustling with traffic in city centres.

We'd recommend charging the Mercedes eCitan overnight using a 7kW home wallbox. This'll take around 6.5 hours but, for those occasions when you need a quick boost, a 75kW rapid charger will top it up from 10-80% in less than 40 minutes.

It's an easy van to drive, helped by the plethora of driver-assistance technology fitted as standard. We think most users will appreciate the extra refinement from the electric powertrain, too, certainly compared to the old Mercedes Citan.

The interior doesn't shy from its Renault roots, although there are some posh features - such as the Mercedes steering wheel (with integrated controls for the cruise control and audio system), and Mercedes-Benz's own MBUX infotainment system.

It's comfortable and relatively spacious, although the fixed bulkhead does limit how far you can slide the seats backwards and forwards. Space is the back is impressive for a small van - the L1 model that we've tested has a load volume of 3.3 cubic metres, while access is easy and unimpeded by the underfloor batteries.

The Mercedes eCitan is initially being launched as an L1 panel van, with a longer-wheelbase L2 version and crew cab models to follow in 2024.

We've sampled the basic L1 model, which has an impressive 3.3 cubic metre load volume that isn't impinged by the underfloor batteries. The loading area is more than 1.5 metres wide and 1.8 metres in length, which stacks up well against other small electric vans (and considerably better than the old Citan).

With a payload of around 500kg (including driver), the Mercedes eCitan isn't exactly a heavy hauler in the van world - but it's a great little workhorse, nonetheless.

Its strengths lie in how pleasant it is for the driver. It might be a reworked Renault Kangoo, but some Mercedes switchgear and an abundance of technology mean the cabin is up there with the best small vans. There are quite a few hard finishes, yes, but they'll no doubt stand the test of time - while the high-gloss black dashboard trim with chrome highlights does a commendable job of lifting the cabin's appearance.

There's quiet a lot of useful stowage space in the front, too, including a useful cubby box on top of the dash, bulky door bins and space for storing your phone on the centre console.

The Mercedes eCitan uses a single electric motor that produces 122PS and 245Nm of torque. Like most electric vehicles, it feels very sprightly away from the line - it'll outpace most other vans up to about 30mph. Performance tails off above this, which can be a bit disconcerting when overtaking, but it's not exactly sluggish. Top speed is a more-than-adequate 81mph.

There are two main driving modes to flick between: comfort and eco. We'd stick with the former - performance is pretty noticeably restricted in eco mode, although it could come in handy when you're trying to stretch the range between charging stops.

You can ramp up the recuperation, too - 'D-' mode is intended to allow close to one-pedal driving (as it slows down quite considerably when you lift off the accelerator), while D+ is better for coasting and more suited to driving out of town.

If this all sounds a bit complicated, fear not. The Mercedes eCitan is a really easy van to get used to - it drives just like a car, aided by its relatively compact dimensions. The electric powertrain, meanwhile, means it's more refined than a diesel van and easier to drive than one with a manual gearbox.

There's an extensive list of driver-assist tech to make your life easier, too. The Active Brake Assist (with pedestrian and cyclist recognition) can apply the brakes if necessary to prevent a collision, while the reversing camera and rear parking sensors helps when tackling a tight parking space.

The eCitan is powered by a relatively small 45kWh battery. This provides an official WLTP range of up to 176 miles, which is marginally more than a Citroen e-Berlingo or Toyota Proace City (the difference will be negligible in the real world, though).

If you're looking to use your van around town, it's likely to be a very efficient choice. But it's also capable of travelling further afield - aided by 75kW charging capability, which can top up the eCitan's battery from 10% to 80% in less than 40 minutes.