Mercedes Benz Vito 2021 Crew Van | Tom Roberts Van Review | Vanarama.com | #vanreview #mercedesbenz

Check out Tom's latest #vanreview of the Mercedes-Benz Vito. This van gets style points immediately for the 3-spoke #mercedesbenz badge... the 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome grille, metallic paint, second side loading doors, AMG side skirts, bonnet, sill graphics, LED head & tail lamps, & roof rails at the higher trim levels just add to the class oozing from this vehicle. You do pay a premium for all these options… but they're excellent. The latest facelift hasn't changed a lot on the outside, but the new 2-litre diesel engines have made a real difference to the feel & efficiency of the drive.

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[cmitch]

After the VW shortest i went for a MERC....

Just picked up my Merc Vito crew cab L2 Premium 160 brake auto, i did have a very loved LWB VW kombi DSG highline 2016 before from new so i can compare and share my opinion as follows:

First impression, good looking van in black, bulky rear, the front of the Merc is good looking but the back is heavy, for me the VW is a work of Art, so VW wins IMO

Size: The Merc is Tighter inside, 8 x 4 sheet down side is tight (one rear seat removed), cant get mountain bike in behind rear seats without taking wheel off, VW LWB is longer and without fat lining has more capacity for sure, but rear seats in merc have more leg room, feels roomy upfront in cab as well.
Dead heat, The L2 is floating between a SWB and LWB VW, so you know what you are getting, parking has been slightly easier than the LWB VW

Ride: The Merc is like a people carrier, feels very refined, light steering, over-steer is easy initially until you get use to it, then it becomes a joy to drive and it's quick, my VW 150 brake was remapped to 170 but the MERC flys and the handling is for me more responsive, its actually boarding on fun and you can chuck it around, the VW felt a bit laboured and van like (It is a van after all), which you might prefer ....but you need to know i loved my VW, so to say the MERC feels better is hard and feels disloyal still.

Tech / gadgets: The Merc feels ahead of the VW, but also feels less robust, as if in time it will break, where the VW felt bullet proof.

Gearstick: WTF the MERC auto gear stick is on the right like a indicator lever, it's taking a lot to get use to. So no Gear stick in middle. Handbrake is old fashion foot pedal and release is on the right of the steering wheel, i have had old mercs which were like this so i think i got the hang of this quicker than most, but all the same very odd and taking time to get use to, along with the oddity that you have to put your foot on the brake to change from reverse to drive, this caught me out as i revered away at a crossing for about 20 seconds, but again it's a case of getting use to it, and now it seems normal to apply the brake everytime and i understand why MERC would do this ...

Fuel tank:

45 Litres !!! WTF i'm filling up twice as much, a bit annoying


Overall after leasing this at 370 + VAT and putting down 3k (£40k with VAT total ) i was initally disappointed with my blood still attached to my VW love affair, but now i'm starting to like my MERC, i know it wont hold its money which is the big issue, but i really love the handling and speed. The seats are very comfortable as well, the build quality i think maybe an issue in time, it feels like some bits will break unlike the robust VW, we will see

I have a long run to Scotland coming up, which i have done in my VW, i'm actually looking forward to it in the MERC, it will be easier and more refined drive for sure

Merc is a great van so far....

Thanks for reading

[petrturcovsky]

Thank you for the test. I'm really disapointed that MB didn't change the inside in Vito this year, also all feels cheap plastic, the top version 119 could be better much better for $75, 000 in Australia. Also why the ignition on the left side and why the key in 2021??? If you use your van for delivery you have to use the key on the left 50 times a day instead of a button. I do not call that German engineering. BTW in Germany the key is on the right side. Only one engine? Why?
I have 2014 model, V6 204hp and it looks better inside then 2021 model. MB wont get our money this year.
Regarding the fuel consumption: there is no point to drive an empty van coz we buy vans to put something in them right? So why not put a say 800kg in it and then test it?
PS: Australia does't get the new engine or the 9 speed gearbox. Crap! :(
PS2: the background music is too loud, not needed. ... just saying ;)

[davidhall]

Would love to see the 119 Panel Van reviewed. Be interesting to know if the cabin noise has reduced significantly, or would it be as good as this crew van you just tested. I drove a Vito a few years back (2016) and it was so bad it completely put me off, so I got an Expert instead.

[paolocoletti]

On motorways 60-65mph I get 52mpg. Drive gently and it'll pay dividends in the range. Love it

[davidhayes]

Great but a bit too enthusiastic, maybe. Driving an empty van is a bit misleading too.

[kofib]

Considering the Vito and the Sprinter have been regularly updated, I just wonder why its taking them so long to bring out a new Citan?

[TyronePatOne]

The badge was always in the middle, only difference is the apron under the grille. That fabric has not changed and that is the old infotainment system!!

[petrturcovsky]

Hello, any chance of testing the new 119, 2022 model? 2.0 engine and 9 speed auto. Thanks very much

[letsdebate]

I have the 2020 version it's a beast great for my courier job gets to hard to reach places and very good engine

[gordy]

You are driving the old one with the 2.1 engine! New 2021 model with the 2.0 engine has the newer air vents from the sprinter.

[lMPSSIBLE]

😂 this is not a new 2021 facelift model 👎

[dildeepsingh]

Can I get a pallet in the back without ripping the back apart ?

[MOBM]

The dash is shocking compared to even the ford and it’s miles behind the VW

[theadventuresofMrB]

What s goin on here .This is the old model ?.

[dannyhagan]

Do you really think we are that interested in the cab trimming that you spent so much time telling us about

[gordy]

Are those measurements based on the L2 length?

[peterlewis]

9 Seater Vito 2018/2019 Blue Lowe Milage For Taxi. Use. At least 2 liters

[gordy]

that's the old 2.1 you are driving

[stuart]

Really if I wanted a review like this I could of gone to aldi's shite

[blackgoldestates]

star stop drives you crazy no way to turn off, doors randomly lock
no dab radio, bluetooth never works right, forward air vents dont work right, bench passenger seat is really uncomfoortable, glove box is poor plus no light, interior light blinds you then you cant see button to turn it off, the lower cubbly holes are useless and your phone will fly out, dial dimmer does not dim enough, if you have auto like me then some times when you set off it races forward when you hardly touch the pedal then other times it does not, engine makes a daft wushing noise when you accelerate like a daft dump valve, when fuel gauge gets to quarter its empty????, some times wont go up in gear just sits there reving higher, rear door doees not stay up, when you reverse park it makes clunking noises underneath, i am sure there are more