Mercedes-Benz Vito 2021 review: 116 Panel Van GVM test

Our test vehicle, a two-seater Vito 116 LWB panel van has a manufacturer recommended list price of $56,100 (excluding on-road costs) and that’s with a seven-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. 

But our Vito was loaded with extras, but more about that soon.

The standard features list is not insubstantial and includes, among other things, AEB, a 7.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

The standard features list is not insubstantial and includes, among other things, AEB, a 7.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth 3.0 handsfree and media streaming, digital radio, multifunction leather-covered steering wheel, high gloss black trim, chrome interior package (air vents, aircon dials, inside door handles and surrounds), 16-inch steel wheels (with a steel spare), engine stop-start function, and more.

Our test vehicle’s $8715 worth of accessories fitted are colour-coded front and rear bumpers ($600), Audio 40 with satellite navigation ($700), Active Distance Assist ($1500), cargo solutions pack ($3800: Comfort front passenger bench seat, interior panelling to roof height in load compartment, full-width partition wall with window, wood flooring, sidewall tie-down rails, LED lighting strip in load compartment, tailgate), Comfort seats with lumbar support package ($600), plus Obsidian Black metallic paint ($1515).

So, our test vehicle’s ultimate price as tested ended up at $64,815 (excluding on-road costs).

The Vito rides on 16-inch steel wheels.

If you’re interested other key option include a full bulkhead with fixed window ($600), barn doors, opening to sidewall ($990), digital rear-view mirror ($900), and LED Intelligent Light System with High Beam Assist Plus ($3060).

Non-metallic paint options are Arctic White, Jupiter Red, Steel Blue, Broom Yellow, Pebble Grey and Granite Green.

Metallic paint options are Dark Graphite Grey, Selenite Grey, Brilliant Silver, Rock Crystal White, Cavansite Blue, Obsidian Black, and Hyacinth Red.

The Vito 116 LWB panel van has a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine – producing 120kW at 3800rpm and 380Nm at 1400–2400rpm – and a seven-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.

This van is a rear-wheel drive variant.

The Vito 116 LWB panel van has a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.

As mentioned, this Vito has a payload of 1060kg. Rather than our usual forklifted-load scenario, this time I hand-loaded 864kg into the van – 80 boxes, each weighing 10.8kg. So, with me and a bit of miscellaneous gear onboard (including vehicle-recovery equipment, first-aid kit, some tools etc) the van was about 100kg shy of the 1060kg mark but, for me, that was a close enough approximation of a GVM-testing burden.

I hand-loaded 864kg into the van – 80 boxes, each weighing 10.8kg.

The van's Hankook Vantra LT tyres (205/65R16 103/101H) were set to 52 psi at the front and 57 psi at the rear (cold, and via a portable air compressor) as advised on this Vito's tyre placard.

So, how did the Vito do?

Very well. In the grand tradition of vans – and utes - everywhere, its ride and handling actually improved with much more weight onboard than when it’s unladen.

With the load evenly spread over the cargo floor space, the rear suspension compressed a tape-measured 40mm, and there was no discernible negative impact to ride quality from that point on.

This long-wheelbase Vito’s generous dimensions – including a 5370mm total body length – add to its feeling of stability and control, giving it an overall grounded sensation, even when unladen.

The van was about 100kg shy of the 1060kg mark.

Most other driving characteristics – steering, engine and throttle response and vehicle braking – remained as sound as a pound though, with few issues to contend with, while driving a near-fully-stocked van around town, through several industrial sites and along the highway for a 50km stretch.

There are a couple of minor issues though: the Vito’s long wheelbase makes the van feel quite low, especially when it is loaded – even when we were driving over minor speed bumps in the industrial site in which our storage facility is located, and sharply angled entries and exits to driveways can prove a challenge if you want to avoid scraping the undercarriage, or at least getting the distinct feeling that you’re about to; and engine braking suffers slightly as the smaller capacity engine seemingly has to work hard to effectively rein in proceedings on the way down long steep stretches of blacktop.

Towing capacities are 750kg (unbraked) and 2500kg (braked). Gross combined mass (GCM) is 5550kg.

The Vito has a five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing in 2014. It has six airbags (front, thorax and window, all for driver and co-driver).

Driver assist-tech includes AEB, load adaptive control, crosswind assist, blind spot assist, lane keeping assist, reversing digital camera (with dynamic steering lines and three rear-view modes), active parking assist, and front and rear park sensors.

Driver assist-tech includes a reversing digital camera with dynamic steering lines and three rear-view modes.