Mercedes also declines to offer the in-built holders for phones and laptops that are available in the Vito’s rivals. It cites safety issues arising from drivers using such technology at the wheel, but if the alternative is holding the phone or balancing a laptop on the passenger seat, bespoke ‘mobile office’ solutions seem preferable. Using an unlined cubby cut in the dash as a phone holder feels half-baked, and will probably lead most drivers to shell out for an aftermarket phone cradle.
The Vito’s interior strengths are its firm but comfortable seats with decent side support and loads of adjustment, including for height. It also offers a lower and more car-like driving position than a Vivaro or Ford Transit Custom.
One of the major plus points of a van-based passenger model is the fantastic views you have of your surroundings, and the Vito is no different. It’s easy to place on the road, while front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera mean that low-speed manoeuvres are simple, as long as you have enough space to position it.
Mercedes fits a double passenger seat to the Vito, and the cabin is wide enough that it’s comfortable to sit three abreast without banging shoulders. The driver gets an armrest to help prevent middle-seat passengers from encroaching on their space. While the driver’s seat has a full range of adjustment, it’s worth noting that the twin passenger seat is fixed in place, so it doesn’t slide or recline. There’s enough leg room for passengers that this shouldn’t be an issue, though.
For the Vito Crew Van, there is a three-seat bench in the back. This offers plenty of space, but it’s fixed in place like the front passenger seat, and doesn’t offer the versatility of being able to fold it down or flip it forward out of the way for more cargo-carrying room. For that, you’ll need to remove them entirely, which is an awkward process.
Pick the Night Edition, and the seats come trimmed with artificial leather, while the driver and outer front passenger seats are heated. Despite this, it’s still not as plush as a V-Class, but it’s not as expensive as a V-Class, either.
Van dimensions
| Body style | Height | Width | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panel Van L2 | 1,910mm | 1,928mm | 5,140mm |
| Panel Van L3 | 1,910mm | 1,928mm | 5,370mm |
Width including door mirrors: Â 2,249mm Â
Load area dimensions
| Body style | Height | Width | Length | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panel Van L2 | 1,391mm | 1,685mm | 2,290mm | 6.0m3 |
| Panel Van L3 | 1,391mm | 1,685mm | 2,520mm | 6.6m3 |
| Crew Van L2 | 1,391mm | 1,685mm | 1,397mm |
3.6m3 |
| Crew Van L3 | 1,391mm | 1,685mm | 1,631mm | 4.1m3 |
