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Road Test: Mercedes-Benz Vito

When Mercedes-Benz first decided to compete in the mid-weight van market with Vito, it followed the trend at the time and opted for front wheel drive. However by the second generation of Vito, it had returned to its roots and opted for rear-drive, allowing at the same time the installation of V6 engines and auto transmissions for the North American market.

With the latest Vito, customers can make the choice themselves. Mercedes is offering the 109CDI and 111CDI models with a 1.6-litre Renault engine and front drive, or its own 2.2 litre diesel with rear drive in the 114 BlueTEC, 116 BlueTEC and 119 BlueTEC models. On the Continent there is also the possibility of an all-wheel drive van, but that is not available in the UK.

The 114 BlueTEC that we have here is expected to be among the most popular in the UK, as the lowest powered of the rear-driven models. However low is a somewhat relative term, as even this bottom rung of the rear drive ladder gets you a healthy 136hp and 330Nm of torque. It also boasts a surprisingly efficient 44.1mpg and 170g/km of CO2.

That output will be more than enough for most and it certainly has no trouble moving the van along at pace. All Vitos bar the most powerful model come as standard with six-speed manual gearboxes. The rear drive vans can also be supplied with Merc’s seven-speed 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission, which is standard in the range-topping 119 BlueTEC.

Working the gears yourself is no hardship though, the stubby lever protruding from the bottom of the dash has a nice short throw. Indeed the revised Vito’s cab is a good place to spend the day on many counts.

A high level of standard kit includes the full rota of electronic driver aids, such as Adaptive ESP, EBD and BAS. You also get Crosswind Assist, driver and passenger airbags, tyre pressure monitoring, Hill Start Assist, adaptive brake lights and cruise control with a speed limiter.

While that is a commendable list of standard safety equipment, it makes it even stranger that despite Bluetooth connectivity and a multifunction steering wheel, the driver still has to wind down the windows and reach out of the van to adjust the wing mirrors. While you might not adjust the mirrors on every trip, it is impossible to move the nearside mirror from the driver’s seat without assistance. And yes, that means they are not heated either. Given

the choice, I would far sooner see heated, electrically adjustable mirrors on a van with no rear window, than Attention Assist or Crosswind Assist.

That aside, the latest Vito has much to recommend it, including a choice of three body lengths, though only one roof height this time around. The three bodies offer load volumes of 5.8, 6.3 and 6.8m3 as panel vans, or 3.1, 3.6 and 4.1m3 respectively in crew van layout, with a second row of seats.

Impressive fuel economy from all five engine options certainly puts the mid-weight Merc on a par with the sector's best performers, and should also put Vito on the potential shopping lists for an increasing number of fleets.

 

what we think

Mercedes aims to please a wider audience with front and rear drive for the latest Vito. Impressive economy and a range of capacities should make it a popular fleet choice.

 

specification

MODEL                       Mercedes-Benz Vito 114 BlueTEC Long     

BASIC PRICE              £20,860

ENGINE                        4-cyl/2,143cc

FUEL INJECTION       Common-rail

POWER                      136hp @ 3,800rpm

TORQUE                     330Nm @ 1,500-2,500rpm           

Weights (kg)

GVW                           3,050

KERB WEIGHT          1,930

PAYLOAD                   1,150

MAX TRAILER WEIGHT       2,000

Dimensions (mm)

LOAD SPACE LENGTH          2,831

LOAD SPACE WIDTH            1,685

LOAD SPACE HEIGHT           1,261

LOAD VOLUME                      6.3m3 

Cost considerations

COMBINED CO2/MPG           170g/km/44.1 mpg

Oil Change                              2 yr/24,000 miles    

Warranty                               3 yr/unlimited miles         

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