Mercedes-Benz Vito and Valente 2015 Review

Historically the LCV market has lagged behind passenger cars in terms of safety, but Mercedes-Benz says it's working hard to address the imbalance with its updated medium van, the Vito.

Launched in Sydney alongside its people-mover sibling – the Valente – the Spanish-built Vito features the latest-generation ESP9i electronic stability program and now comes with crosswind assist (which delivers single-sided braking to counter side gusts) and attention assist (which monitors driver fatigue) as standard.

The van also boasts a host of optional safety and convenience technologies including collision prevention assist (which gives visual and audio warnings of an impending collision with a vehicle ahead), lane-keeping assist, blind-spot assist, active parking assist and a new LED Intelligent Light System.

The latter is a first for the van segment and sees the angle of beam dynamically altered to provide the best possible illumination across a variety of driving situations.

Mercedes-Benz Australia PR boss David McCarthy describes the new Vito as "quite possibly the world's safety office", although Ford's rival Transit Custom comes standard with six airbags and the Vito, in basic trim, makes do with two.

At least Vito customers have a choice – side and thorax/pelvis airbags for both driver and passenger are an option – while a variety of safety systems have been bundled together in a lane tracking package ($1300) and a driver assistance package ($1600).

While ANCAP safety ratings are yet to be made for the new breed, both the Vito and the Valente have previously attracted the full five stars.

A series of track exercises in the controlled environs of Sydney Motorsport Park amply demonstrated the effectiveness of the Vito's anti-lock brakes and stability control, with emergency braking exercises and a skidpan session highlighting just how far such technologies have come.

The action came after a strop from the Sydney CBD to the track in the city's western suburbs, the mixture of city traffic and motorway giving a good, if brief, first taste of the Vito.

While the chassis is essentially carried over from its predecessor, the new Vito comes with refreshed styling, an updated interior, new power and – for the first time – a front-wheel-drive option.

The latter serves as the new entry point to the four basic models, with the 111 CDI kicking-off proceedings from $37,140 (plus on-roads).

Panel van models are available in short and long wheelbases, while Crew Cab models are only available in a medium wheelbase.

The entry-level model is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel with variable geometry turbo. The Euro5 unit is said to produce a modest 84kW and 270N. Still, it also boasts the highest payload of the range, at a claimed 1285kg, and is said to offer fuel economy gains of up to 19 per cent, compared to its predecessor.

Building on that foundation are the 114 CDI BlueTEC, 116 CDI BlueTEC and 119 CDI BlueTEC variants which each feature a 2.2-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo-diesel in rating steps of 100kW/330Nm, 120kW/380Nm and 140kW/440Nm.

The OM651 engine is the first Euro6 unit to hit the segment, and is said to offer impressive economy gains and carbon dioxide reductions of up to 30 per cent.

This engine's selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system sees AdBlue injected into the exhaust gas flow, the subsequent catalytic process converting harmful gases into harmless nitrogen. Found in many heavy commercial vehicles, the arrangement requires an AdBlue tank. Mercedes-Benz says AdBlue top-ups will be provided free of charge from any official dealership, while the one 11.5-litre tank should suffice for over 9000 kilometres.

A six-speed manual transmission is complemented by a 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed automatic, which is optional in the 114 CDI BlueTEC and standard in the two higher grades.

In terms of individual specifications there's a lot to talk about; see our trucksales.com.au story for more information and pricing.

The run through the suburbs showed the range-topping 119 CDI BlueTEC to be the consummate professional. The seating has been improved and offers additional lateral support and six-way adjustment, but the location of the ignition, to the left of the steering wheel, annoyed. Cabin space is generous, especially in terms of headroom.

The previous rocket of the LCV world – the 165kW V6 Vito – may be gone, but life is good in the new flagship. With 140kW and identical torque (440Nm), the 119 CDI BlueTEC dishes out smooth and consistent grunt from just off idle to its 4000rpm redline.

We'll reserve judgement on load-lugging ability, however, as no test weights were present on the day.

The growl of the oiler is nicely subdued, as is wind noise, while road noise levels aren't excessive. The optional full bulkhead with window ($590) would dampen noise levels even further, while providing extra safety.

The seven-speed auto flicks through its ratios smoothly and decisively. It's operated via a stalk on the right-hand side of the steering column and it is possible to accidently select neutral if you confuse it for the indicator – an issue that will fade with familiarity.

The omission of a traditional shifter also cleans up the dash, and it's easy to slide between the two front seats into the load bay.

The load bay features mid-height MDF panel protection, six tie-down anchor points, a rear LED strip light and twin sliding side doors, plus a top-hinge tailgate.

Glazed side doors and barn-style rear doors are available, while payload capacities are pegged at 3.6 (Crew Cab), 5.8 (short wheelbase) and 6.9 cubic metres (long wheelbase). The Vito comes with a braked towing capacity of 2000kg.

The instrumentation and the cab in general have received a lift and have a smart, premium feel. The dark upholstery should prove robust, likewise the vinyl cab flooring, while cab storage options abound.

There's no touchscreen multimedia display but the Audio 15 unit does have Bluetooth streaming and USB/3.5mm input jacks.

The Vito 114 CDI BlueTEC acquitted itself well on the track. It displayed a degree of body-roll through the bends – it's no S-Class, after all – but always remained composed.

It was reassuring knowing myriad safety systems were ready to step in if required, but even when pushed the Vito offers benign, predictable handling.

The steering requires only a very light touch on the wheel while the brakes offer good power and impressive stopping ability, even on a waterlogged skidpan.

The front-drive 111 CDI, meanwhile, is a pretty basic, bare-bones affair. The six-speed manual transmission shifts sweetly, however, and the model has all the standard safety gear of the higher grades and most of the tech, bar the idle-stop feature.

We only spent a very limited amount of time in the Valente but for large families and chauffeur services it's a smart proposition. The people-mover gets the 120kW/380Nm Euro6 engine and there's comfy seating for eight – nine with the optional front bench seat – and the slide-rail seating system is flexible and easy to use.

The Valente scores a full complement of airbags and the ISOFIX child-seat system.

'Total cost of ownership' is the mantra of the commercial vehicle world and 'Benz's fuel economy claims will turn heads. The company quotes Combined ADR figures from 6.0 to 6.4L/100km, and the run from the city to the track delivered an average of just 5.7. The numbers auger well.

The Vito comes with a three-year/200,000km warranty and a variety of service plans are available. It's also a part of Mercedes-Benz's Agility program, which guarantees the vehicle's value come trade-in time, and service intervals are indicated at every year or 25,000 kilometres.

From behind the wheel it's hard not to appreciate the new Vito's comfort, technology and refinement. It faces some stiff competition from Ford's Transit Custom and Renault's new Trafic, particularly on price, but the new Vito represents a solid progression for the breed and delivers a level of safety and sophistication unheard of in the LCV segment not so long ago.

2015 Mercedes-Benz Vito pricing and specifications:
Price: from $37,140 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel / 2.1-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo-diesel
Output: 84kW/270Nm; 100kW/330Nm; 120kW/380Nm; 140kW/440Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual or seven-speed auto
Fuel: from 6.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: from 158g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: N/A

2015 Mercedes-Benz Valente pricing and specifications:
Price: $56,380 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 120kW/380Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 166g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: N/A