Mercedes VianoJanuary 2007

S1026 October 2010

1 star is a little harsh

Simon14 July 2011

Very harsh review by 5th Gear. Have owned a Mercedes Viano Ambiente for nearly 7 years now, it does have its faults but overall it is a fabulous multi-use vehicle. Very comfortable drive with plenty of power from the 2.2 CDi - easily handles hard acceleration when necessary and will tow 1 tonne like it isn't there. Good looks - mine is black with tinted windows and upgraded wheels. My rear seats are removable so don't understand the comment above from the 5th Gear lot. A very flexible vehicle which with all rear seats folded will take standard size sheets of plasterboard/chipboard etc laying flat. Reasonably economical for its size returning 35+ mpg. I have the Long version which gives reasonable luggage space at the rear, i would consider getting the Extra Long next time for even more room but the Long has been fine and is adequate. Would need to test drive an Extra Long to see what difference this makes to manoeverability and handling before recommending it. Elevated driving position gives excellent feel and vision and is absolutely nothing whatsoever like driving a van - did those guys actually drive a Viano ??? I would definately buy another and probably will soon. Bad points from a 7 year test drive rather than a 5 minute one :- Interior lining has some kind of protective clear coating which wears off and looks awful around high use points like door pull/armrest. Access point for lowering spare is a hole down through rear bumper to a mechanism operated by a bar spanner & ratchet - no cover over the hole allows dirt to enter hole and fill the hex nut... try getting the bar spanner in it now ! Bad design and an annoying discovery when you have a flat in the middle of nowhere. Rail system for rear seats could be better - some kind of cover over the section of unused rails would stop dirt accumulating down in the channels - hard to get out, even with slim hoover attachment. Rear seats are quite heavy and not easily removed or replaced - this is a job which does get easier with practice but is still something i do not look forward to doing. Sliding side doors can be difficult to operate especially by children and senior passengers, the electrically operated side doors were not an option when the vehicle was purchased but i believe this option is now available....you won't regret getting it. Can't think of much else wrong, but if you add a roofrack definately go for the oval streamlined bars...the standard square/rectangular ones create noisy wind drag. One more thing : If you're going to watch tv programmes about driving there are much better options than 5th Gear :)

Duncan Young12 December 2011

I also find that the review was a bit hard on the Mercedes Viano. I purchased my Viano in 09 and have covered many miles up and down the countries motorways. I have found this to be a fantastic car-bus-van what ever you want to call it very satisfactory for executive work. At weekends when not used for work it comes in to play as a good family car especially as i have a labrador dog who loves the beech. Apart from service, tyres and the usual running cost it has not let me down. Not the cheapest MPV on the road i must admit. I have just ordered my new one only this time with electric rear sliding doors. Could honestly say that i have only ever had one complaint from a customer and that was to say a lack of over head lighting when it get;s dark.

Andy29 December 2011

2011 Viano Ambient Extra long 3.0L TDI Myself the Wife, kids ,mother in law and customers love it ! Mine is heavly speced, it does everything that's required or asked of it. Its quiet and smooth with reasonable economy considering the size and weight. Quick for its size it also cruises nicely between 70 and 80 with no noise intrusion. The bad points from a user point of view, no 4x4 option in 3.0l variant, and its size if you are not used to it, expensive options, plus the voice activation drives you mad. Powerful, elegant, comfortable, plush and quiet with space in abundance. Why would you want anything else !