- Working hard since 1995 for tradespeople, services, first responders and more: The Vito has a long-standing reputation as a compact, reliable and flexible van suitable for a wide range of everyday tasks
- E-mobility pioneer: Electric versions of the Vito have been setting standards for local CO₂‑emission‑free operation in the midsize segment since 2010
- Strong support in the portfolio: Commercial midsize vans Vito and eVito account for nearly a quarter of Mercedes‑Benz Vans’ sales
- Namesake: The Vitoria plant has been inseparably linked to the Mercedes‑Benz Vito for 30 years
- The latest model generation: new levels of connectivity and comfort
Three decades, three generations, countless uses: the Mercedes‑Benz Vito is turning 30. Since its launch in 1995, the midsize van has stood for uncompromising readiness for everyday tasks, impressive versatility and innovative technology in the commercial midsize van segment. From trades to maintenance and customer service operations to police and ambulance services. Whether operated as an individual vehicle or in a large fleet, in a basic version or as supplied by one of the many upfitters of special transporters for food or emergency medical services: the Vito is a reliable partner that meets the requirements of many different industries.
Thanks to modern safety and assistance systems, digital networking and the many available versions, it supports customers in their daily work. With the eVito, Mercedes‑Benz Vans has also offered an alternative for local CO₂-emission-free driving since 2018. Its predecessor, the Vito E-CELL, was embraced by many customers starting back in 2010. Vito and eVito show their strengths above all in urban environments, where their compact size not only allows them to fit into modern public parking garages, it also helps to keep urban life running in narrow streets. Nearly a quarter of Mercedes‑Benz Vans customers therefore opt for commercial midsize vans.
“Over the last 30 years, the Vito has proven to be a true all-rounder for professionals. Thanks to its compact dimensions and large cargo space, it is an ideal choice for urban settings. For our customers, the Vito offers a high level of functionality and flexibility, combined with comfort and efficiency. Like our Sprinter, it has kept the world mobile for 30 years. In its electric version, the eVito stands for sustainable, locally CO₂-emission-free mobility for nearly eight years.”
Sagree Sardien, Head of Sales & Marketing Mercedes‑Benz Vans
Mercedes-Benz Vito: the history
The Mercedes-Benz Vito has offered a convincing solution geared to the needs of tradespeople, retailers and service providers since 1995. It is the versatile allrounder among the commercially positioned midsize vans. Key milestones:
- 1995: the first generation with transversely mounted four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines
With the first generation of the Vito, Mercedes-Benz introduced an entirely new van in the 2.6 to 2.8 tonne class in 1995. The front-wheel drive van combined an attractive design with compact dimensions and, with a payload of one tonne, it was also suited to carrying heavy goods. The cargo area of 3.6 m2 provided a loading capacity of almost 5 m3, so that the Vito could also easily transport bulky items. And thanks to its manageable dimensions and a height of 1.89 metres, the Vito was suitable for multistory carparks and garages in cities.
The first generation also offered an extensive safety package as standard that was impressive for its time. This included driver airbag, independent wheel suspension and disk brakes on all wheels, ABS with automatic braking differential and power steering.
The transversely mounted four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines boasted low fuel consumption, enabling attractive driving performance. Customers embraced the efficiency, robustness and flexibility of the Vito – which earned it the title “Van of the Year” in 1996. An update in 1999 brought a design facelift, new colours and optimised features. By 2003 Mercedes‑Benz had sold around 473,000 first-generation vehicles.
- 2003: second generation with more comfort and greater variety
For the second generation, the entire vehicle concept for the Vito was redesigned. All of the variants of the midsize van now relied on rear-wheel rather than front-wheel drive, which improved the driving dynamics and load capacity. With a payload of up to 1295 kg, the Vito was now a true workhorse. An all-wheel drive variant – the first in its segment – added to the model diversity.
The more powerful engines now available ranged from efficient four-cylinder engines to powerful V6 units. With three body lengths, two roof heights, five engine choices and numerous optional equipment packages, the second generation put the Vito firmly on the path toward the diverse range of versions available today. In 2005 the European jury again voted the Mercedes‑Benz Vito “Van of the Year”. By 2014 the second-generation Vito surpassed its outstanding predecessor with sales of nearly 750,000 units worldwide.
In addition, the second generation marked a milestone with regard to electrification: With the launch of the Vito E‑CELL in 2010, Mercedes‑Benz began small-series production of a battery-driven van equipped with a 70-kW (95-hp) electric motor. It had a range of around 130 km and was a success in such areas as courier, express and parcel services.
- 2014: third generation brings new design and even more space
In 2014 the third generation of the Vito celebrated its world premiere. Even more versatile and economic, and with improved safety features, the new allrounder among the midsized vans was launched with a new design and three drive concepts. Customers could choose between front, rear and all-wheel drive. With an unchanged wheelbase, the Vito was up to 13 cm longer, with a maximum length of 5.37 metres, offering more loading and passenger space and an increased payload of 1369 kg.
This was followed in 2018 with the launch of the eVito, the first fully electric midsize van produced in series by Mercedes‑Benz. The third generation also set new standards for safety: The Vito panel van was the only vehicle in its class to be equipped with airbags and seatbelt reminders for both the driver and passengers as standard. The Vito Tourer offered up to eight airbags for all occupants. Unique among midsize vans at the time was the Crosswind Assistant included as a basic feature.
The all-electric eVito has been on the market since 2018. Whether as a panel van for delivery traffic or as a Tourer for commercial passenger transport – the eVito carried on the legacy of the E-CELL while steadily introducing technological advances.
In 2020 a new update brought many technical advances: The new OM 654 family of four-cylinder diesel engines delivered increased power combined with lower fuel consumption. In addition, the new generation featured the 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission, an optional digital inside rear-view mirror, the DISTRONIC automatic distance assist, other improved assistance systems and new comfort systems such as the AIRMATIC air suspension.
- 2024: The current Vito brings new levels of connectivity and comfort
The next upgrade came last year. The MBUX multimedia system brought modern infotainment, improved connectivity and new digital extras for a further increase in comfort. As a result, the Vito and eVito are fully integrated into the brand’s digital ecosystem. The safety features were further improved and expanded, for example with the Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function and the Active Lane Keeping Assistant.
The exterior was updated with multibeam LED headlights and the interior was enhanced with such features as a new central console and the electric EASY-PACK tailgate. The standard features were extensively upgraded and the range logic was more closely adapted to customer wishes. For the first time the drive options were expanded to include a petrol engine with mild hybrid technology.
The current eVito wins over customers with locally CO₂ emission-free drive technology, full connectivity and a range of up to 480 km (WLTP) that makes it viable for everyday operations.
Vito – made in Vitoria for 30 years
The Vito has been produced from the outset in the historically important van factory in the Basque capital of Vitoria-Gasteiz – to which the allrounder owes its name. As the second-largest producer of Mercedes‑Benz Vans, it is one of the most important Mercedes‑Benz Vans factories worldwide. Along with the Vito and eVito, the plant also makes the V-Class models aimed at the private market as well as the EQV.
Vitoria has stood for meticulous craftsmanship, modern production technologies and strong regional ties for more than 70 years. On a premises with a total area of 696,000 m², production buildings now span an area of 373,000 m². The number of employees stands at 4,800. In March 2024 the cornerstone was laid for an expansion of the plant: Starting in 2026, vans based on the fully electric VAN Electric Architecture (VAN.EA) will be produced here. The ongoing investments in infrastructure, digitisation and training make the plant a future-ready pillar in the Mercedes-Benz Vans global production network.
