Review: 2015 Mercedes-Benz Vito

Bland white vans mightn't turn many heads – after all they're built to do a job and not impress the neighbours. But when it's your bread and butter, a little style goes a long way; especially if it's backed by a level of functionality tailored to the man (or woman) behind the wheel.

It was this thought that sat foremost of mind as I stepped behind the wheel of Mercedes-Benz's revised Vito. The light commercial van rivals 'boxier' competitors like the Hyundai iLoad, Renault Trafic and Volkswagen Transporter, but does so with a greater sense of style and liveability.

The cabin is well-equipped and well thought-out, with elements including the leather-wrapped steering wheel and the majority of the switchgear feeling very much as if it's lifted straight from the latest E-Class.

Beyond that it's the clever, well-placed oddment storage bins that readily (and sensibly) house the knick-knacks we tend to lug around. There's a tray for your documents, an open tray with 12-volt outlet for your phone or tablet and a couple of cup-holders high on the dash – well separated from the documents you have tucked away elsewhere, lest lids come loose.

They're little things, sure. But they show an understanding for the time spent at the wheel. The 'mobile office' is just that for tradies and couriers, so any appreciation shown for the hours spent within is greatly appreciated.

The seats are likewise considerate and prove comfortable and supportive, especially on longer trips. They meet well with the primary controls and offer the usual level of adjustment, the steering wheel and seatbelt height also adaptable to the driver's best fit.

It's quite easy to obtain a good view of the road ahead, though we did find it hard to place the nose – and found the wing mirrors a little small. Were it mine, I think I'd be optioning front parking sensors ($290) and a reversing camera ($900).

It's these points that prove irritating in tight confines. The Vito's steering is wonderfully light at parking speeds and the turning circle feels much tighter than it has any right to be. With a little extra assistance – and a better view behind – we reckon you'd comfortably squeeze into a parking space fit for a mid-size hatchback.

Away from parking duties the Vito's fortunes improve. It's a secure vehicle at freeway speeds with a sense of stability in corners that speaks volumes of its origins on Germany's high-speed autobahns.

Fast directional changes are met with confidence, and even unladen there's a uniformity in front-to-rear ride not often associated with workhorse models. The rear-end doesn't jar over bumps in the way many LCVs do, and we even think the Vito is quieter than most, even without the installation of a bulkhead behind the driver's cabin (a $590 option).

Mercedes' proven 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel (as tested here in 114 CDI BlueTEC guise) sits above the entry-grade's 1.6-litre variable-geometry turbo-diesel unit (with 84kW/270Nm) providing 100kW/300Nm.

Higher output iterations are also offered in the 120kW/330Nm 116 CDI BlueTEC and 140kW/440Nm 119 CDI BlueTEC. The OM651-series engine is the first Euro 6 emissions-compliant engine in its segment and is said to better the outgoing models' fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 30 per cent.

The improvement comes from a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system that sees AdBlue injected into the exhaust gas flow to convert harmful gases into harmless nitrogen. It's a system we're beginning to see more commonly utilised in LCV vans and utilities, Mercedes saying its 11.5-litre AdBlue tank should provide more than 9000km between fills.

Mated to the optional 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed automatic the Vito proved quite economical, averaging at 7.6L/100km during our three-day test. It's not the 6.1L/100km figure claimed by the manufacturer, but considering the bulk of our driving was inner-urban, we don't feel it's too bad.

Power delivery for the engine is rather impressive with strong mid-range punch after some initial lag. The expected turbo delay is present at initial step-off, and again after reapplication (say at a roundabout or slip lane), but it's not a deal-breaker and can be circumvented by judicious use of the steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifters.

We didn't load the Vito with anywhere near its maximum payload – a couple of sports bikes the only test of the vehicle's carrying ability. For the model tested a payload figure of 1180kg is quoted, the area behind the B-pillar measuring 1391mm (high) x 1685mm (wide) x 2586mm (long).

There are six sturdy tie-down anchors on the floor and sliding doors at each side (whose aperture measures 961mm wide). The Vito also offers 1270mm of space between the wheel-arches, meaning a standard pallet should be easily accommodated.

Mercedes-Benz quotes a 2000kg braked towing capacity for the Vito 114 CDI BlueTEC. The rating can be lifted to 2500kg by fitting the optional heavy-duty tow pack (an additional $200).

Downsides? Well, in addition to the visibility issues noted earlier, we have to add that the foot-operated parking brake is particularly clumsy. It's set high and a long way inboard (ie: too close to the transmission tunnel) making it difficult to actuate. You also need to be mindful to apply a little pressure to the pedal before releasing the catch, oddly placed on the opposite lower side of the dash.

We also noted that the exposed wiring loom in the van's rear were likely to snag odd-shaped items. Normally the loom is set between the frame and the skin to offer it some protection against damage, but in the Vito it's clipped quite visibly to the cargo-bay walls. Couple this to the strangely-mounted spare wheel and the Vito compromises what's otherwise a useful and well-accessed load area.

Of course we can't finish this review without discussing price. With a starting mark of $41,940 (and an as-tested price of $44,815), the Vito range isn't cheap.

But it's worth noting that the model is available with many safety technologies not offered in its rivals – including the latest-generation stability control program with crosswind assist, attention assist (which monitors driver fatigue), collision prevention assistance, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, head airbags ($790), active parking assist ($1230) and a new LED Intelligent Light System ($2800), a first for any light-commercial van.

Weigh the cost of the Vito and its options against its competitors and the deal may seem a little stiff. In spite of Mercedes' proven running costs and the added safety on offer it seems Australian buyers agree.

The Vito has found only 843 buyers so far this year, which pales against the Toyota HiAce (6181) and Hyundai iLoad (3946). Maybe the latest Vito update will lift its popularity.

2015 Mercedes-Benz Vito 114 CDI BlueTEC pricing and specifications:
Price: $44,815 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 100kW/330Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.1L/100km (ADR Combined), 7.6L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 161g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: N/A

Also consider:
>> Hyundai iLoad (from $30,990 plus ORCs)
>> Renault Trafic (from $33,490 plus ORCs)
>> Volkswagen Transporter (from $32,990 plus ORCs)