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NIO ET5 vs Mercedes Citan comparison

Compare performance (490 HP vs 131 HP), boot space and price (40,700 £ vs 22,400 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – NIO ET5 or Mercedes Citan?

NIO ET5 vs Mercedes Citan: Key differences

NIO ET5

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  • considerably more power
  • very slightly more efficient
  • considerably more electric range
  • clearly quicker 0–100 km/h
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Mercedes Citan

  • significantly cheaper
  • considerably lighter
  • noticeably more trunk space
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By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

ET5

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

Mercedes Citan is significantly cheaper – starting at 22,400 £ , while the NIO ET5 costs 40,700 £ . That’s a price difference of around 18,271 £.

In terms of energy consumption, the NIO ET5 is very slightly more efficient: consuming 18.6 kWh/100km compared to 19.3 kWh/100km for the Mercedes Citan. That’s a difference of about 0.7 kWh/100km.

As for electric range, the NIO ET5 offers considerably more range – reaching up to 590 km, about 310 km more than the Mercedes Citan.

Citan

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the NIO ET5 offers considerably more power – delivering 490 HP compared to 131 HP. That’s roughly 359 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the NIO ET5 is clearly quicker – completing the sprint in 4 s, while the Mercedes Citan takes 13 s. That’s about 9 s quicker.

Looking at top speed, the NIO ET5 is marginally faster – reaching 200 km/h, while the Mercedes Citan tops out at 183 km/h. The difference is around 17 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: the NIO ET5 delivers significantly more torque with 700 Nm compared to 270 Nm. That’s about 430 Nm more.

ET5

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Mercedes Citan is considerably lighter – 1,556 kg compared to 2,215 kg. The difference is around 659 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Mercedes Citan offers noticeably more boot space – 551 L compared to 386 L. That’s a difference of about 165 L.

For maximum load capacity, the Mercedes Citan offers clearly more capacity – up to 3,660 L, about 2,525 L more than the NIO ET5.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes Citan carries noticeably more – 644 kg compared to 475 kg. That’s a difference of about 169 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The NIO ET5 is far ahead overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £40,700
ET5

NIO ET5

  • Engine Type Electric
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 490 HP
  • Consumption kWh/100km 18.6 - 18.9 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range 456 - 590 km
NIO ET5
Mercedes Citan

Costs and Consumption

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Engine and Performance

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Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

NIO ET5

NIO ET5 arrives with sleek, minimalist lines and a cabin that feels more like a calm lounge than a dashboard, delivering a composed drive that keeps motorway monotony at bay. Tech is smart rather than showy, and the brand’s novel ownership options make it an appealing choice for buyers who want electric convenience without the usual headaches — plus it brings enough personality to make charging stops less boring.

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Mercedes Citan

The Mercedes Citan is a clever urban van that dresses sensible practicality in a surprisingly premium suit, making light work of deliveries and family duties without feeling like a workhorse. With a calm, car-like driving feel, clever interior packaging and the Mercedes badge up front, it’s a smart pick for buyers who want function with a touch of luxury and a wink of personality.

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NIO ET5
Mercedes Citan

Costs and Consumption

Price
40,700 - 58,700 £
Price
22,400 - 30,100 £
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption L/100km
5.2 - 7.4 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
18.6 - 18.9 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
19.3 - 20.7 kWh/100km
Electric Range
456 - 590 km
Electric Range
265 - 280 km
Battery Capacity
73.5 - 90 kWh
Battery Capacity
45 kWh
co2
0 g/km
co2
0 - 167 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
54 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
High Roof Estate
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
5
Curb weight
2,215 - 2,235 kg
Curb weight
1,556 - 2,010 kg
Trunk capacity
386 L
Trunk capacity
0 - 551 L
Length
4,790 mm
Length
4,498 - 4,922 mm
Width
1,960 mm
Width
1,859 mm
Height
1,499 mm
Height
1,811 - 1,830 mm
Max trunk capacity
1,135 L
Max trunk capacity
1,979 - 3,660 L
Payload
455 - 475 kg
Payload
485 - 644 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Electric
Engine Type
Petrol, Diesel, Electric
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic, Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
490 HP
Power HP
95 - 131 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
13 - 15.5 s
Max Speed
200 km/h
Max Speed
132 - 183 km/h
Torque
700 Nm
Torque
200 - 270 Nm
Number of Cylinders
-
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
360 kW
Power kW
70 - 96 kW
Engine capacity
-
Engine capacity
1,332 - 1,461 cm3

General

Model Year
2023
Model Year
2,021 - 2,024
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
CO2 Efficiency Class
F, E, A
Brand
NIO
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.