Mercedes-Benz V-Class

Mercedes-Benz V-Class at a glance

The V-Class is the passenger version of the Vito; panel vans and crew buses keep the Vito name. The rest of the range is on our Mercedes-Benz brand page.

Generations

Power ranges are German versions listed by ADAC. The Viano is listed with the V-Class here because it filled the gap between the two V-Class generations; Mercedes-Benz itself returned to the V-Class name for its successor.

V-Class W638 (1996-2003)

The first V-Class was the luxury passenger version of the first Vito. Unlike its successors it had front-wheel drive. German sales started in September 1996. The petrol engines were a 2.3-litre four-cylinder (V 230, 105 kW (143 PS)) and Volkswagen's 2.8-litre VR6 (V 280, 128 kW (174 PS)). Diesel buyers began with a 2.3 turbodiesel with 72 kW (98 PS); from June 1999 the common-rail V 200 CDI with 75 kW (102 PS) and the V 220 CDI with 90 kW (122 PS) took over. ADAC lists the last versions until September 2003.

Viano W639 (2003-2014)

The Viano switched to rear-wheel drive and arrived in Germany in July 2003. It came in compact, long and extra-long versions on two wheelbases, with a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic. Diesels ranged from the 2.0 CDI with 80 kW (109 PS) to the 3.0 CDI V6 with 150 kW (204 PS) and 440 Nm; petrol V6 engines of 3.0, 3.2 and 3.5 litres gave 140-190 kW (190-258 PS). On the four-cylinder diesels 4MATIC all-wheel drive was available: it splits torque 35:65 front to rear, uses electronic traction control instead of locking differentials, adds about 80 kg and raises the body.

A facelift in September 2010 brought new lights and bumpers, diesel engines from the Sprinter and a revised interior and suspension. Mercedes built the Viano in Vitoria-Gasteiz and, from April 2010, also in Fuzhou for China. ANCAP scored it 32.66 out of 37 and called it the only five-star van in Australasia at the time.

V-Class W447 (2014-)

The current V-Class went on sale in Germany in May 2014. The three lengths are 4,895 mm (compact), 5,140 mm (long) and 5,370 mm (extra-long), and the long wheelbase measures 3,430 mm. At launch the V 200 CDI, V 220 CDI and V 250 BlueTEC had 100, 120 and 140 kW (136, 163 and 190 PS), all from the 2.2-litre OM651 diesel.

The first facelift reached Germany in May 2019 with the 2.0-litre OM654 diesel, the nine-speed 9G-TRONIC automatic and a new top version, the V 300 d with 174 or 176 kW (237 or 239 PS). The second update, sold in Germany from January 2024, gave the V-Class a new front end, MULTIBEAM LED headlights, the latest MBUX infotainment and two 12.3-inch displays. With it came the V 300 petrol with 170 kW (231 PS), offered only in the long and extra-long bodies.

The W447 is also the base of the battery-electric EQV, which uses a 90 kWh usable battery and a 150 kW (204 PS) motor with 362 Nm, and is limited to 160 km/h. The Marco Polo camper, developed with Westfalia, adds a galley with gas stove, sink and 40-litre fridge, a rear bench that converts into a bed and a pop-up roof, with sleeping space for up to four.

Engines and performance

Gearboxes were a six-speed manual or the seven-speed 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic before 2019 and the nine-speed 9G-TRONIC afterwards. The power converter converts any of these outputs.

Dimensions, space and boot

At well over two metres wide with the mirrors out, the V-Class needs a big garage; check yours with the garage fit tool. Luggage volume depends heavily on the length and the seat layout, and our sources do not give official figures, so we leave them out.

Running costs and prices

ADAC lists these German starting prices: EUR 28,392 for the W638 V 230 Turbodiesel (1996), EUR 32,584 for the Viano 2.0 CDI compact (2003), EUR 34,990 for the W447 V 200 d compact Rise (2017-2019), EUR 37,947 for the V 220 d compact Rise after the 2019 facelift and EUR 52,330 for the V 220 d compact from January 2024. Our sources give no official consumption figures for the current engines.

Trims and equipment

The 2024 V-Class comes with the MBUX system and two 12.3-inch screens, MULTIBEAM LED headlights and, in the extra-long body, seating for up to eight. The German price list runs up to the Exclusive trim; earlier W447 cars started with the Rise trim. 4MATIC all-wheel drive is available on the diesel versions, as the top V 300 d 4MATIC shows.

Safety

Euro NCAP tested the V-Class in 2014 (a V-Class 2.2 diesel with eight seats, 2,205 kg) and gave it five stars, with 93% for adult occupants, 87% for child occupants, 67% for pedestrians and 85% for safety assist. The side barrier test earned maximum points, but chest protection in the side pole test was marginal and the stiff windscreen pillars scored poorly for pedestrians. In 2020 Euro NCAP confirmed that the rating also applies to the EQV and the passenger Vito. More results are on our safety page.

Reliability and known issues

Our sources contain no fault statistics or recall lists for any of the three generations, so we do not repeat forum claims. As with any van-based MPV, service history and the condition of the sliding doors and seat rails are worth checking on used cars.

Rivals

Use the comparison tool for exact versions and prices.