√2024 Mercedes-Benz Vito, V-Class facelifts unveiled with EQV, eVito electric versions

Mercedes-Benz has given its mid-size van and people mover range a makeover as it approaches a decade on sale, with new styling and interior technology.

Updated versions of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz Vito and eVito vans, V-Class and EQV people movers, and V-Class Marco Polo campervan (also sold as the Marco Polo Horizon in Australia) have been unveiled ahead of Australian arrivals early next year.

The latest ‘facelift’ for Mercedes-Benz’s mid-size van range is the second in the life of the current model – which is now a decade old – and introduces bolder styling and interior features from the German car giant’s passenger cars.

The 2024 facelift precedes the introduction of replacements for the electric eVito and EQV due in 2026, on a dedicated electric-car architecture known as ‘Van.EA’.

The new Van.EA-based electric vehicles are planned to be sold alongside regular diesel versions of today’s Vito and V-Class until at least the end of the decade, when Mercedes-Benz Vans aims for 50 per cent of its sales to be battery powered.

Australian arrivals for the updated mid-size van range are due to commence in early 2024, with prices to be announced closer to launch.

Mercedes-Benz acknowledges the addition of new infotainment and luxury technology is intended to justify higher prices – and profit margins – for the car giant.

All models gain unique restyled front fascias, with larger grilles, available adaptive LED headlights, and an LED grille surround on the EQV and V-Class.

The top-of-the-range V-Class Exclusive luxury people mover adopts an S-Class-inspired look, with horizontal grille bars, a Mercedes-Benz star on the bonnet, and AMG-style ‘monoblock’ wheels.

Other visual changes include new 17-, 18- and 19-inch wheel designs across the range, restyled LED tail-lights on top models (with darkened lenses), and a chrome rear trim strip on the EQV and V-Class with Mercedes-Benz lettering.

Inside, the V-Class (including Marco Polo) and EQV swap today’s 10.25-inch touchscreen and semi-digital instrument cluster for twin 12.3-inch widescreen displays for infotainment and instruments.

The Vito and eVito gain a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen and 5.5-inch instrument display between analogue dials.

Mercedes-Benz’s latest MBUX software features in all models, with augmented-reality satellite navigation, the ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice assistant, and smarter route planning for electric models that can direct vehicles near fast chargers.

The instrument panel and air vents have been restyled in all models, and a new steering wheel from Mercedes-Benz passenger cars is now fitted, with capacitive-touch sensors to detect the driver’s hands on the wheel.

New features include a heated steering wheel, wireless phone charging pad, keyless start, expanded 64-colour ambient LED interior lighting, and on select models (which do not currently offer the features), a power tailgate or electric parking brake.

There is also a new ‘Energizing’ feature that Mercedes-Benz claims “maintain[s] the concentration and performance of the driver” by changing the air conditioning, music and ambient lighting to different cabin ‘moods’.

The advanced safety feature suite has been upgraded with intersection support for the autonomous emergency braking system.

All models in Europe are fitted as standard with autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and driver attention monitoring, with the V-Class and EQV models gaining adaptive cruise cruise control, traffic sign recognition and upgraded parking cameras (many of these features carry over from the old model).

The five-star safety rating awarded to the V-Class and Vito in 2014 expired at the start of this year. Mercedes-Benz Vans says it has not made any structural upgrades to its mid-size vehicles for their facelifts, and has not announced plans to volunteer them to ANCAP or Euro NCAP for re-testing and new crash-test scores under the latest criteria.

In Europe buyers can choose from three V-Class styling packs (plus an AMG Line body kit), nine Vito models (panel van, Mixto and Tourer in Base, Pro and Select variants), and two EQV and eVito body lengths (with more equipment lines to choose from).

Standard equipment levels have been boosted across the European model range. It is unclear how this will apply to Australia.

There are up to eight seats in the V-Class and EQV, while the Marco Polo campervan can sleep up to four people – and includes features such as a pop-top roof, a kitchenette, roof bed, folding table, wardrobe, rotating seats, and an extra 12.3-inch touchscreen for controlling interior functions.

Details of any changes to engines and electric motors are yet to be disclosed.

More details of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz V-Class, Vito, EQV and eVito are due closer to their Australian arrivals next year.

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