UK Drive: Does the Mercedes Vito Sport-X nail the dynamic van brief?

What is it?

The Vito has been around for a little while, mind you, with this current version being introduced in 2014 and facelifted in 2024. Can the Sport-X bring a little extra excitement, then? We’ve been finding out.

What’s new?

Mercedes has also kitted out the Sport-X’s interior with far more luxurious seats which combine leather and Alcantara. The front chairs also have integrated headrests, just like those in one of Mercedes’ sports cars.

What’s under the bonnet?

Efficiency-wise, the Sport-X should manage 38.7mpg combined, while CO2 emissions of 192g/km aren’t too bad for this type of engine. Load weights aren’t bad; Mercedes says that the Vito Sport-X has a payload of up to 733kg alongside a towing capacity of 2,500kg.

What’s it like to drive?

Even when fully loaded, the Vito’s diesel engine provides the right amount of acceleration, though go hard on the throttle and it’s quite vocal. Luckily, light steering means that it’s easy to drive around town and with a decent reversing camera as standard it’s not too tricky to park, either.

How does it look?

There’s a good range of colours to choose from, too, with the deep red of our test van looking particularly smart in the summer sun.

What’s it like inside?

One slightly odd inclusion relates to the ISOFIX child seat mounting points. You’ll only find them on one of the outer middle row, and the middle seat. You’ll struggle to get two child seats fitted alongside one another, which means, in essence, you could take along just one child in a fixed seat for the ride. It seems like a strange choice.

What’s the spec like?

The Sport-X also gets features such as air conditioning and several assistance systems, including active land assist and blind spot assist.

Verdict

The Sport-X certainly does well to bring some new life to the Vito. While underneath it’s all rather rudimentary, for many van drivers that’ll work just fine. A robust diesel engine and an uncomplicated driving style will be, for lots of drivers, just right.

The only question lies in whether the lack of an electric – or even electrified – option is starting to penalise the Vito. However, if you’re after a van that can turn heads and still get the job done, the Vito X could be worth considering.