Mercedes-Benz Vans tweaks Vito for 2021

MERCEDES-Benz Vans Australia has unveiled its facelifted Vito van range that ushers in enhanced levels of standard equipment, more safety features and a refined interior design as well as few revisions to the line-up.

Now starting from $42,900 plus on-road costs, the entry price for the Vito range has risen by almost $4000, largely setting the trend for the rest of the line-up with the biggest price jump being $5580.

On the style front, the major talking points are the redesigned radiator grille and tweaked interior with the latter boasting new cloth upholstery, new turbine-style air vents and, on all variants besides the entry-level 111 CDI, a new piano-lacquer look frame for the centre of the dashboard.

Leading the charge for the technology upgrades is the new ‘Audio 30’ infotainment system accessed via a 7.0-inch touchscreen and features both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as Bluetooth connectivity.

Also displayed on the screen are the images from the updated reversing camera (better resolution) while an optional digital rearview mirror can also be optioned in place of the traditional one.

In terms of safety, active brake assist has been added as standard to all variants across the range, bringing with it the previously optional blind spot assist and lane keeping assist systems.

Flagship 119 CDI variants – both panel van and crew cab – also score Distronic (adaptive cruise control with stop and go) as standard.

No mechanical changes have been made to the Vito range as part of the update, with the same familiar line-up of engines all returning apart from the 114 version of the OM651 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel mill which has been dropped in the name of complexity.

As such, the range is still opened by the 1.6-litre OM622 engine in the 111 CDI variant (84kW/270Nm) with Mercedes saying the axing of the 114 CDI now hands the volume-selling duties to the 116 CDI variants (2.1L, 120kW/380Nm).

The flagship engine then remains the 119 CDI which develops 140kW/440Nm.

All Vitos besides the two 111 CDI variants send their power to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission while the base model utilises a six-speed manual to drive the front wheels.

According to Mercedes-Benz Vans managing director Diane Tarr, the Vito is a “genuine trade specialist and fleet all-rounder for a wide range of different customers” with its versatility being what sets it apart from its rivals.

“In Australia, examples of its use include an RACV home and roadside assist vehicle, an Australia Post delivery van, an Optus technical service vehicle and as a trusted tool for many smaller business operations like florists or even mobile fitness instructors,” she said.

“The newly designed radiator grille now makes it an even more attractive representation, and with more standard safety, new assistance systems and an upgraded infotainment offering, it will continue to meet the demands of our customers.”

Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia and New Zealand sold 39 examples of the outgoing Vito last month, three less than it managed in January last year and accounting for 2.2 per cent of the mid-sized van segment.

*Excludes on-road costs