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Mercedes-Benz Vito
lives up to the hype!
Every van manufacturer would like to think they have the best line up in the marketplace. And they produce finely worded, full colour brochures to support that notion. But just how much is sales hype, how much is true?
Take the Mercedes-Benz Vito, for example. It’s described as ‘practical, economical and very enjoyable to drive.’ So, Van Ireland’s David Stokes collected a brand new Vito 111 CDI panel van from Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van (NI) at Mallusk to find out if that was, indeed, true....
 We are great believers in first impressions, so although we only had the Vito for part of a sunny afternoon around the roads of County Antrim, it was sufficient time for us to draw some definite conclusions.
For a start, the new Vito is a great looker on the road and immediately creates a good image, essential for any business these days, whether you’re a plumber, joiner, electrician or in the distribution market, thanks to the attractively designed body.
Climb aboard, and you are met with an interior that is both pleasing and practical. The ‘Mateo’ upholstery in our test vehicle is hard wearing, dirt resistant and easy to maintain and keep clean, while it also has a contemporary and fresh design.
We test drive quite a few vans over the course of a year, and there are some that take a little while to master, to feel relaxed in and familiar with, but the Vito immediately made us feel at home.
 Comfortable
The driver’s seat, with its fold down armrest, (as does the passenger seat) is comfortable and well proportioned and the ergonomically arranged controls make life behind the wheel a breeze. Everything is not only close to hand, but practically and logically positioned, making driving a virtually effortless task.
The gearstick, for example, is conveniently located and allows easy cross cab access. The steering wheel is adjustable for both height and reach, the front windows are electrically operated, and the large exterior door mirrors are also electrically adjustable, offering the best possible view.
The working environment is further enhanced by a highly effective air conditioning system; we particularly benefited from that as the afternoon was exceptionally warm and clammy. There are also adequate storage areas for documents, paperwork and personal effects, within the driver and passenger doors, the dashboard and glove compartment.
 Cargo Space
But what about payload? The Vito excels in this area, too. There’s loads of space for loose or bulky items and, of course, plenty of options to customise the cargo area for specialist operations – just ask – such is the versatility of the Vito. With two sliding side doors and a wide opening tailgate, access to your cargo is easy and hassle free. With a low loading height, packing up the Vito is also simple.
So what’s it like on the open road? It drives and handles like a saloon car, to be honest. The smooth 4 cylinder CDI high-torque engine packs plenty of punch and power, perfectly complementing the 6-speed manual transmission. The turning circle is exceptional, a particularly useful characteristic to have when operating along narrow or busy town or city centre streets.
Safety First
The Vito also benefits from a safe and secure operating environment. Standard equipment includes the latest generation ESP, which takes account of the current vehicle load and interacts with the passive safety systems to provide a high level of driver – and passenger – protection.
Indeed, the Vito has been awarded the ‘Safetyplus Vehicle’ certificate by the two independent testing organisations, DEKRA and TUV. This is only given to vehicles which display ‘exemplary’ active and passive safety features. The tests cover a whole range of handling and performance aspects such as load security, braking on bends, changing lanes and skid control.
Business, of course, is always about the bottom line, so how expensive is the Vito to run? Not very, is the answer. It has a unique Service ASSYST management system, it has one of the longest servicing intervals, and it comes with one of the best warranties in the market, a full three year, unlimited mileage package. We are also told the Vito has the highest residual value in its class.
Verdict
So, did it live up to the hype? Absolutely. Handling was effortless, performance was impressive, as was the turning circle, gear changing was smooth, in cab comfort pleasant and all round visibility excellent. There were no groans or creaks, whether on the smooth surface of the M2, or the bumpy backroads of Ballyclare. So, yes, the Vito is practical, economical and very enjoyable to drive. Check it out for yourself!
Specification
OM 646 DE22LA 4-cylinder turbo-charged and intercooled diesel
6-speed manual transmission
Twin sliding side load doors
Power assisted steering with electrical steering lock
Central locking with remote control
Electric front windows
Radio/CD player with five speakers
Adjustable Steering wheel
Drivers airbag with emergency fuel cut-off
Electronic Stability Program, in combination with ABS, ASR, BAS & EBV
Disc brakes all round
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