Mercedes-Benz's EQ portfolio has been slowly increasing in number but, until now, they've all been rather large or SUV-based. The EQT changes that, with a van-based lifestyle people carrier. 

Based on the eCitan, Mercedes' smallest van, the EQT is looking to take a slice of the family car segment with its practical but compact footprint. The popularity of van-based passenger cars has declined as the market for SUVs has increased, but there's still a good range of rivals out there with the likes of the Ford Tourneo Connect, Volkswagen Caddy Life and Mercedes T-Class representing the combustion engine sector of the market and the Citroen e-Berlingo and Peugeot e-Partner able to fill a need for those wanting an EV. Yet, none of them offer a truly premium product - they're all very much vans with seats. Mercedes wants the EQT to combine luxury with no emissions and uses a 90kW electric motor linked to a 45kWh battery pack to do so. 

The interior has undergone a significant uplift from the van, but for those familiar with the T-Class it's much the same. There's synthetic leather on the steering wheel and seats, and a faux-suede trim on the doors and dash. Integrated into the dash is a 7in touchscreen that runs the MBUX infotainment system allowing you to use the 'Hey Mercedes' voice command to control various functions like heating or navigation. The van platform means there's plenty of space, with up to 1979 litres if you fold all the seats flat. Even with the seats up, the conventional boot still has 551 litres, and if you're not one for travelling light and like to tow a luggage trailer or maybe even a boat, the EQT also has a towing capacity of up to 1500kg. 

Its credentials as proper family transport are proven with three Isofix child seat mounts in the front seat and outer two rear seat, while its heating efficiency is improved thanks to a standard-fit heat pump for the air conditioning. Rear seat space, though, is also quite limited. The seats are higher than those in the front to create legroom, but adults in the back will feel close to the ceiling as a result.

Overall, it's an attractive interior that gets many of the same materials and features you'd find in a more typical Mercedes car. However, there are two noticeable negatives about the EQT. Firstly, it still feels like a van, as the boxy interior is noisier than you'd expect with a good deal of noise from the road entering the cabin. Secondly, it's not just based on a Mercedes eCitan, the EQT is also a relation of the Renault Kangoo E-Tech. The Renault connection becomes more apparent when you look lower down in the cabin, where buttons and some of the materials aren't of the same quality as the Mercedes parts. It's a disappointing combination that undermines the premium ambitions of the EQT. 

Driving the EQT is less of a disappointment as although it is based on a van, it doesn't handle like one. It has precise steering and a slightly soft ride at the front and stiffer at the rear. There are two driving modes, Comfort and Eco, with the EQT defaulting to Comfort at start-up. A button on the dash allows you to select Eco, which dulls the throttle response and limits power by 30% to ensure that you maximise the range. Power isn't particularly abundant, with 90kW the equivalent of just 122hp, it unsurprisingly makes the car feel sluggish. It is best avoided unless you're getting particularly nervous about range, instead you can maximise your potential milage with the regenerative braking. There are three differing levels, D-, D and D+, that go from the strongest to the least amount of regeneration. D- provides a high level of regen without feeling too harsh, while D+ is a coasting mode. However, as with the driving modes, that standard D level of regen is perfectly acceptable. It's not a particularly engaging setup for those that like to tweak and alter settings, but it does allow a degree of flexibility.

UK pricing won't be confirmed until closer to its on-sale date when the trim packages will also be finalised. If European pricing is any indication, we can expect the entry-level Advanced Plus trim to start north of £45,000, with touchscreen as standard as well as reversing camera and rear parking sensors, chrome details, leather trim and ambient lighting. Mid-range Premium trim vehicles get more driver assistance and safety systems including Active Parking Assist and LED headlamps with High Beam Assist while the top-spec Premium Plus models have built-in sat-nav, keyless go and 17in twin-spoke alloys rather than the standard 16-inch wheels. 

On paper, the EQT is a sensible family car with a good range and adequate space for a small family, but a big price and some less than premium parts don't quite fit in with the premium Mercedes EQ badge.

Mercedes Benz EQT