Rod Chapman•31 Jul 2017

REVIEW

Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo

German brand delves into RV world with swish new Marco Polo campervan

At the smaller end of the recreational vehicle (RV) scale, camper vans are usually the preserve of specialist conversion companies, but now Mercedes-Benz is weighing in with a full factory-produced offering.

The new Marco Polo Activity is based on 'Benz's medium van, the Vito. It's the lowest of the three available trim grades, but at this stage is the only model for Australia. In Europe, the mid-spec Marco Polo and high-spec Marco Polo Horizon are based on the V250, a higher-grade people-mover variant of the Vito.

But don’t think Australia is copping the black sheep of the range because even the Activity model is feature packed. In fact, the biggest difference between the Activity and higher grades is the Activity has a three-person rear bench seat instead of the twin-seat unit, which, in the higher grades, affords the inclusion of a kitchenette.

As such, the Activity is aimed more at those happy to eat out at restaurants and cafes or who come equipped with a portable cooker and gas bottle.

So, with that caveat covered, what does a not-insignificant $69,990 (plus on-roads) buy – about the same money you'll spend on an entry-level Jayco campervan?

Well, the aforementioned rear three-seat unit folds flat to make – with the supplied extension – a very large bed. It's big enough to sleep two adults with ease, or even three (presuming everyone's on a first-name basis).

Then, once you've erected the Westfalia pop-up roof, there's room for two more adults to sleep upstairs, on the high-density mattress provided.

Which means the Activity can easily accommodate a couple or even a family for the night in complete comfort. In the case of the former, the rear seat unit and extension can be removed entirely, giving masses of storage space.

CRUISY CAMPER

Powering the Marco Polo is Mercedes’ 116 BlueTEC four-cylinder turbo-diesel producing peak outputs of 120kW and 380Nm. It's a Euro 6 unit fitted with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to meet emissions compliance. So, in addition to its diesel tank, there’s an AdBlue tank which requires refilling roughly every 9000kms or so.

The engine is mated to 'Benz's 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission, with its auto function complemented by a sequential manual mode accessed via the twin steering-wheel-mounted paddles.

The Marco Polo may be based on a commercial van but has much more in common with the passenger-car world when it comes to features and amenity.

There's cruise control and a speed limiter as standard, plus of course antilock brakes and a comprehensive suite of safety features. Four airbags are complemented by a stability control programme with switchable traction control and crosswind assist, while the vehicle also scores hill hold assist, a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, auto lights and wipers, auto dipping high beams, daytime running lights and adaptive brake lights.

SAFETY PLUS

Attention assist – which can alert a driver if signs of drowsiness are detected - is also standard, while our test vehicle was fitted with the optional ‘Driving Assistance Package’ ($1345) which includes collision prevention assist, lane keeping assist and blind spot monitoring.

All this has helped the Marco Polo achieve the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating.

The van also comes equipped with the ‘Audio 15’ multimedia system, a colour but non-touchscreen display which works well enough, but is starting to show its age. Satellite navigation is standard, as is AM/FM (not digital) radio which is piped through a four-speaker stereo system.

There’s no CD player, but Bluetooth telephony is included and it can stream MP3s and podcasts.

Cabin comfort and rapid cold morning window demisting come courtesy of a very effective heating/venting system.

COMFORT IS KEY

The driver's seat base is roughly at hip height, so sliding in behind the wheel is easy. Tilt and reach adjustment is provided for the steering wheel and there’s the usual adjustment for the drivers’ seat, plus lumbar support and an adjustable armrest.

However the seating position is a tad high. At 188cm, this writer is on the tall side, and even with the seat at its lowest setting, I was peering through the upper third of the windscreen. On the plus side, vision is excellent and there's a clear view over most cars.

There's no seat heating, but both front seats do have an ace up their sleeve: when overnighting they can manually swivel to face the second-row seating (or bed, as the case may be).

This is handy at ‘happy hour’ or meal times, as the sliding console in the centre of the van is actually a portable table which can fold out on either (or both) sides and offers two different height settings.

This sturdy unit slides forward or back on a recessed centre rail, in the same manner as the rear seat unit and bed extension slide on the two outer rails.

It's a clever system which works well, although the tracks inevitably collect sand and grit – nothing a quick vacuum wouldn't fix.

PLEASURE ZONE

Driving the Marco Polo is a pleasure, as we discovered on a three-day, two-night sojourn along Victoria's Great Ocean Road to Port Campbell.

The diesel engine is refined and noise suppression is good. There's useable torque from just off idle, the momentary lag soon dispensed with as the van heads into its solid midrange.

Equally impressive, the seven-speed auto shifts quickly and precisely and the manual mode also works well, although we were happy to let the transmission do the thinking for most of our time.

The suspension, with MacPherson struts up front and coils and shocks at the rear, delivers a comfortable, plush ride. A bit of body roll is par for the course, but the Marco Polo is more about the journey than the time it takes to reach your destination.

The brakes pull up the 3100kg van (gross vehicle mass) with power and feel. Incidentally, the maximum payload is listed as 720kg.

Factory options and accessories fitted to our test vehicle include the ‘Black Lugarno’ leather upholstery ($1409), the LED Intelligent Light System ($2545), 18-inch alloy wheels ($991), twin electric sliding doors ($2264), Thule side-mount awning ($682) and ‘Flint Grey’ metallic paint ($1355). Which brings the van as tested to a cool $81,640 plus on-roads.

OVERNIGHTING

After a late departure, we reached the Port Campbell Holiday Park at 10:00pm and our focus switched to getting some sleep. Folding the rear seating flat and throwing on some bedding and pillows is a five-minute affair and it doesn't take much longer to draw the blockout curtains and fix the front privacy curtain in place.

The rear seat cushioning is too firm to serve as a mattress in itself, but you can add the one stored in the pop-up roof if need be. The rear benefits from electric windows and four bottle holders – two via removable brackets and two moulded into the plastic trim behind each sliding door, next to 12-volt auxiliary outlets.

There are a further two 12-volt outlets – one up front and one at the rear, the latter perfect for a portable fridge/freezer – but the Marco Polo isn't wired for 240-volt mains power. Instead, there's a second auxiliary battery to complement the main battery, giving a good reserve of power for overnighting. It's recharged by driving the van.

Despite the expanse of glass, my wife and I found the van to be quite warm. However, for very cold conditions, there's an auxiliary diesel heater – a neat feature.

GOING UPSTAIRS

The second night, and after a day perusing the spectacular coastline in these parts, we switched to the roof-top sleeping quarters.

Popping the roof is easy – just undo two latches and push the roof up until an external strut locks into place – and then it's a matter of hoisting yourself through the thankfully sizeable hatch into the room above.

The erected roof unit provides a ceiling height of 2.4 metres when you're standing on the 'ground floor', so to speak, and with the front two seats swivelled around, the Marco Polo feels surprisingly spacious.

It's cosy up top – the mattress is compliant and there's ample leg room, although it's a little narrower than your standard double bed. Large zippered compartments in the concertina fabric provide additional ventilation, but the zips themselves are flimsy, and in fact one had already failed.

Outside, the Thule side awning is an easy-to-use unit which cranks out in a minute or two and provides a substantial amount of cover.

Downsides? Well, this is a pricey camper given the lack of kitchen facilities, but it does come with five-star safety and plenty of driver features. The ignition is on the left of the steering column and it's a little tricky to get to due to its proximity to the cruise control stalk, and there's no screening to ward off mosquitos and midges.

In hot weather, occupants will be forced to open windows – a welcome invite for bugs.

VERDICT

It will be very interesting to see how the Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo – Australia’s only factory-produced camper van – performs in the market. If the price tag doesn't deter, this is without doubt a well-made, extremely versatile and flexible RV, and one with passenger car comfort and features which belie its commercial van underpinnings.

WHAT WE LIKED:

>> Impressive versatility

>> Comfortable, easy drive

>> Quality interior finish

NOT SO MUCH:

>> No kitchen

>> No mozzy defence

>> Hefty purchase price

2017 MERCEDES-BENZ MARCO POLO ACTIVITY:

Base vehicle: Mercedes-Benz Vito
Seating: Five

Berths: Four

Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel

Output: 120kW/380Nm

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Battery: Auxiliary battery fitted

Heating: Diesel

Fuel: 7.6L/100km (as tested)

Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Price: $69,990 (plus on-road costs)

More info: Mercedes-Benz Australia

Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo

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