Welcome back to RBR, and today we’re driving the all-new Mercedes Benz VLE — the car Mercedes is calling its new “Grand Limousine”. Today we test the VLE from both sides — as the driver and as the passenger — to see whether the refinement, quietness, ride comfort and rear-seat luxury can justify that “Grand Limousine” name!
The VLE is not simply the next V-Class, and it is not just a new EQV. The VLE is built from the ground up on #Mercedes’ new VAN.EA electric architecture, as a passenger-car and Mercedes Benz first, not a can. So luxury technology and proper Mercedes-Benz refinement comes into a segment that has traditionally had these as an afterthought.
And the numbers show just how big the leap is. Over 700km of WLTP range, 800-volt charging, up to 355km of range added in 15 minutes, a 115kWh NMC battery, optional AIRMATIC air suspension, rear-wheel steering, and a huge step forward in refinement compared with the outgoing EQV.
In this review, we drive the VLE 300 electric, experience the VLE 400 4MATIC, and spend proper time as a rear passenger in the top Exclusive version. The VLE 300 produces 271HP, while the VLE 400 4MATIC raises output to 415HP and brings all-wheel drive, with the ability to tow up to 2.5 tonnes.
Inside, the VLE offers 5, 6, 7 and 8-seat configurations, with Comfort Seats, Premium Comfort Seats and the top Grand Comfort Seats featuring pillows, wireless charging, lumbar support, massage and more. There are also multiple centre console options, which I’ll show you, as well as the interior with seats removed to store bikes etc!
We also take a detailed look at the full VLE line-up, including AMG Line, AMG Line Plus, the Exclusive model, and the upcoming VLE Long coming next year — which is 17.5cm longer, with all of that extra space going to the passengers.
Then there is the interior with the optional MBUX Superscreen, which paired with the dash, I think is done better than the S Class. We’ll also look at the rear cabin but when I’m on the road as a passenger! This will be in the exclusive car with the MBUX Cinema Rear Space Experience — a retractable 31.3-inch 8K panoramic screen, Burmester 3D surround sound, Dolby Atmos, split-screen functionality, video conferencing and full cinema-style rear entertainment!
The real question is this: does this behave like an electric S Class for 8 on the road? Both as a driver and as a passenger. And does it drive like a car or still feel like a van?
Later we will have combustion-powered versions also planned on a related VAN.CA architecture, plus a future VLS Maybach version — but I feel this might be better than both, as the VLE feels like the electric S-Class we actually wanted — unlike the EQS. As well as making the old V-Class and EQV feel like yesterday’s technology — Let’s find out if it can achieve this!
