2020 Mercedes V-Class facelift – More power, more luxury

This gargantuan is the Mercedes-Benz V-Class – a premium MPV designed to appeal to well-heeled larger families, active sporty types who carry lots of equipment around and companies offering luxury transport services.

Mercedes-Benz is keen not to highlight the V-Class’s commercial vehicle ties and calls upon contemporary exterior styling cues from the likes of the C-Class to add more car-like visual features; the AMG Line trim level, complete with a sporty bodykit, enhances the exterior further.

There’s a distinctive two-section dashboard design, coupled with high-quality seat materials, which again borrows heavily from the look of the C-Class’s cabin. Its swooping lines are a world away from the Vito’s angular cliff of plastic but, compared with the newer slick dual-screen arrangement in the A-Class, E-Class and GLE, the V-Class’s dash looks old hat.

Inevitably there’s another ‘but’ or two. While its perpendicular flanks liberate masses of interior space, they ensure the outside remains very van-like – there’s no hiding its origins. Similarly, the low-mounted fuel filler flap – secured by the front passenger door – is reminiscent not just of its Vito twin but almost every large commercial vehicle.

engines
Choose a V-Class made between 2015 and early 2019 and power will come from Mercedes’ venerable 2.1-litre turbocharged diesel, offered in a choice of two outputs; the V 220 d has 163hp, the V 250 d 190hp. Both transmit their power to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic gearbox.

In spring 2019, along with a mild facelift, those older engines were ousted in favour of a more refined 2.0-litre alternative. Again, the version badged V 220 d produced 163hp – but its more powerful sibling was badged V 300 d and served up 239hp.

An automatic transmission remains standard but now offers nine speeds and still drives the rear wheels; 4Matic all-wheel drive remains unavailable in the UK.

Spacious and practical
The V-Class features plenty of practical touches, including a separately opening rear window attached to the upper tailgate frame. When coupled with the adaptable parcel shelf, this means items can be loaded into the vehicle without having to open the rather large rear door – which is handy in car parks where space is limited.

The size of the electrically operated tailgate itself makes it ideal as a rain shelter, should a sudden downpour catch you out – and providing you’ve got the room to open it.

Interior space in the V-Class is impressive. The Mercedes is available in three lengths – Standard, Long and Extra Long – with a choice of seven- or eight-seater configurations, depending on whether you specify a three-seater bench for the middle row.

The driver and front passenger get four-way lumbar support, as well as seat heating, while fully electrical adjustment of the seats is available as an option.

A pair of luxurious middle row seats, complete with fully electric reclining, heating and cooling functions will also be made available later in 2019. It’s not clear, at this stage, whether these will be optional extras or part of a standalone Exclusive trim level.

Contemporary on-board technology
Technology is a Mercedes hallmark that’s prevalent in the V-Class, and one made apparent by features such as the combined touchpad and rotary dial multimedia controller. This clever bit of kit enables the driver to scroll through the various menus displayed on the screen with their fingertips – similar to how you operate a smartphone. The revamped V-Class, however, hasn’t received the upgraded touchpad seen in the A-Class.

There’s a choice of infotainment systems that offer sat-nav, Bluetooth and even a Wi-Fi hotspot, although it uses your smartphone for tethering rather than having its own 4G connection.

The V-Class is well equipped, too, with even the entry-level Sport versions including a 7.0-inch multimedia screen with sat-nav, a full leather interior, LED headlamps, two electrically operated sliding doors and ambient lighting with three colour settings.

It is also available with a plethora of safety features, including Blind Spot Assist to warn you of approaching traffic from the rear, Lane Keeping Assist that vibrates the steering wheel when you veer over the white lines and Distronic adaptive cruise control.

Mercedes’ excellent High Beam Assist Plus, where a section of the full beam is dipped to prevent other road users from being dazzled, became part of the package from 2019.

An optional 360-degree camera makes manoeuvring this large car much easier and should be chief among the extras you plump for.

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