Mercedes-Benz V-Class vs Toyota Quantum vs VW Caravelle: which one has the lowest running costs?

The Mercedes-Benz V-Class has established itself as a well-sorted and highly appealing proposition if you are in the market for a premium people mover. Our Road Test of the V-Class in 2020 gave us a newfound respect for this product, even though the third-generation model has existed since 2014.

We chose the top-spec Toyota Quantum VX Premium and Volkswagen’s Caravelle in Highline 4Motion guise for today's comparison. The chosen variants feature automatic gearboxes and diesel engines, making the comparison fair.

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The figures

	Mercedes-Benz V220d AMG Line	Toyota Quantum 2.8 LWB bus 9-seater VX Premium	Volkswagen Caravelle 2.0 BiTDI 146kW Highline 4Motion
Engine size	4-cyl, 2.0-litre turbodiesel	4-cyl, 2.8-litre turbodiesel	4-cyl, 2.0-litre turbodiesel
Power/Torque	120 kW/380 Nm	115 kW/420 Nm	146 kW/450 Nm
Gearbox	9-speed automatic	6-speed automatic	7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Kerb weight	2 075 kg	2 720 kg	2 195 kg
Airbags	6	7	6 (opt 8)
Braked towing capacity	2 000kg	1 500kg	2 500kg
Seats	6(opt7/8)	9	7
Fuel capacity	70-litres	65-litres	80-litres
Claimed consumption	7.1 L/100 km	8.7 L/100 km	8.2 L/100 km
Service plan	7-year/140 000km maintenance	9 service/90 000 km	5-year/60 000km maintenance
Price	R1 404 268	R1 187 000	R1 464 800

Comparing the trio

Purchase price

The models we have chosen for this comparison are direct competitors from a segment perspective, with turbodiesel engines and automatic gearboxes. Monthly instalments are calculated throughout 72 months with a 10% deposit and no balloon or residual. The interest rate is set at 12%.

Mercedes-Benz V220d AMG Line

With the instalment parameters, the V220d will work out at R24 708 monthly over 72 months.

Toyota Quantum 2.8 LWB bus 9-seater VX Premium

The Quantum will work out at R20 885 monthly with the instalment parameters over 72 months.

Volkswagen Caravelle 2.0 BiTDI 146kW Highline 4Motion

The Caravelle will work out at R25 773 monthly over 72 months with the instalment parameters.

Fuel consumption

Fuel consumption is an essential consideration for vehicles in this segment, as are the fuel tank capacities, as these products are often used for long-distance trips. Looking at the figures, the Toyota is the heaviest and least powerful, making it the heaviest on fuel and having the smallest fuel tank. This leaves the Volkswagen in second place despite its large 80-litre fuel tank, behind the V-Class, which offers the lowest claimed and real-world consumption figures, from our experience, combined with a reasonably large 70-litre fuel tank.

Warranties & service plans

The Toyota finds itself at a slight disadvantage in this comparison as it is the only entrant with a service plan and not a maintenance plan; still, with 9 services offered over 90 000 km, it is certainly respectable. While the Volkswagen has a maintenance plan as standard, it spans just 60 000km, despite being valid for 5 years. The V-Class provides the best offering, with a maintenance plan covering 7 years/140 000km.

Verdict

Having looked at the data, we have a relatively tight battle here for second and third place. Despite finishing second in the fuel consumption category, Volkswagen’s lower mileage maintenance plan and high cost price exclude it from the winner’s circle in this particular instance, and with its higher list price, the V-Class excludes itself too.  The Toyota’s trump card is its list price, which makes it over R217 000 cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz and a whopping R277 000 less than the Volkswagen, granting the Quantum an easy running cost victory here.