- Mercedes-Benz marks 30 years of Vito with updated connectivity, safety features and mild hybrid options.
- The eVito now offers up to 480km WLTP range with an 85 kW motor and 90 kWh battery.
- All Vito and eVito models are built in Vitoria, Spain, with future VAN.EA production starting from 2026.
Three decades on, the Mercedes-Benz Vito remains the trusty tool of tradespeople, couriers, and emergency responders alike.
Launched in 1995, the compact van has carved out a reputation for being versatile, comfortable and just the right size for squeezing through tight city streets or slotting into a parking building.
Today’s Vito range - including the all-electric eVito - represents nearly a quarter of Mercedes-Benz Vans' commercial vehicle sales globally.
“The Vito offers a high level of functionality and flexibility, combined with comfort and efficiency,” said Sagree Sardien, Head of Sales & Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Vans. “In its electric version, the eVito stands for sustainable, locally CO₂-emission-free mobility for nearly eight years.”
The Vito’s journey has spanned three generations and plenty of firsts – including one of the earliest electric van offerings in 2010 with the Vito E-CELL, which predated the eVito’s full production debut in 2018.
From diesel donkey to digital native
The original 1995 model featured front-wheel drive and compact dimensions – just 1.89m tall with space for 5m³ of cargo. It also boasted safety kit like ABS and driver airbags, not exactly common at the time.
By the second-gen model in 2003, rear-wheel drive and an all-wheel option had joined the mix, along with greater payload (up to 1295kg) and V6 engine availability.
The current third-gen van, introduced in 2014 and refreshed last year, continues to push the envelope. Highlights include optional Airmatic air suspension, the MBUX infotainment system, upgraded digital driver aids like Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function and a new petrol mild hybrid option.
The electric eVito now offers a range of up to 480km (WLTP), powered by an 85kW motor and 90kWh battery.
Vitoria: van central since day one
As ever, all Vito and eVito models are produced at the Mercedes-Benz van plant in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain - a facility with over 4800 employees and a legacy dating back more than 70 years.
The plant is also gearing up for the future, with electric VAN.EA-based models set to roll off the line from 2026.
From tool-hauling diesel to digitally connected EV, the Vito has shown remarkable staying power. And with electrification firmly in its stride, this midsize marvel isn’t slowing down any time soon.
