9 minute read
LCV
The van based people mover market is full of very capable, well equipped and safe options, from Volkswagen’s Multivan to Hyundai’s iMax, Toyota’s Hi Ace and others. But none carry the cache and allure of a Benz badge, which is what we found when we took one of its Valente people movers away for a trip recently.
The task was to transport a small group of friends to the North Eastern corner of Victoria with bicycles, for a week-long exploration of the area’s fabulous rail trails. The question was what sort of vehicle to do it in? We needed plenty of seating and also room for some bikes. An offer of a newly updated Mercedes-Benz Valente seemed the perfect choice and it certainly proved to be the correct vehicle for the job.
The Valente and its van sibling, the Vito were updated in early 2021 delivering a number of spec upgrades and pricing changes giving the two small Benz vans some weaponry to take on upgraded models from rivals including Volkswagen, Toyota and a bunch of others.
The Valente and Vito have been around in current shape since about 2014 so a facelift was due and welcome, although it was a very good product to start with and was certainly not lagging the opposition in terms of looks or performance.
The most important update for the Valente is the inclusion of a 7.0 inch Benz Infotainment display, as well as improved safety spec and some cosmetic improvements, not forgetting rationalisation of the model range.
It is a funny thing, but it is amazing what that famous three pointed star on the front of a vehicle does to people and how they have a different mindset, to even van based vehicles like the Valente. It was the same when we tested the X class Benz ute, even though that was basically a Nissan Navara people take a second glance and swoon over the tri-star. In this case when our friends saw that they were travelling in a Mercedes they thought it was very flash even though it is based on a workhorse can in the form of the Vito.
And we have to say it is very flash. The interior treatment of the Valente is really nicely done with classy all black trim including leatherette seats throughout, plush carpet, a very neat and well-designed dash and a very relaxed and comfortable ambience.
The test Valente looked very much
the part of a luxury people moving limo, finished in its Obsidian Black paint. While we were making a leisure trip, and the Valente would make a great family people mover, it will also hold particular appeal for commercial operators as a perfect luxury shuttle, large limo or mini-bus.
Inside our test vehicle the three rows of seats provided room for eight in absolute comfort, with three seats in each of the two back rows and a pair of luxury bucket seats up front for the driver and front passenger. There is an option available of a front bench seat, but we can’t figure out why even a commercial operator would choose it as it would just make things crowded and would be self-defeating in a luxury mini-bus/people mover.
The middle row of seats can be reversed so the middle-row passengers are facing back towards the rear row occupants, and the floor track system also allows the bench seats to be totally removed or a table to be fitted for a mobile conference room.
The fact that there is a gap between the front seats allows the driver or passenger to slip between them and get to the middle row, a benefit for those transporting children without having to get out of the car.
The front cabin/cockpit area is comfortable, and the driving position is excellent, with a good range of the adjustment available for both the driver’s seat and the steering wheel.
With a great dash there is also a large and very handy storage tray in the console below the centre of the dash, with plenty of room for phones, and other knick knacks that always clutter vehicle interiors. It also boasts a 12V outlet here, with another two USB points in the other storage tray above this. The cupholders, one on each side have been engineered into the top if the dash, which is really well engineered and thought out.
Fire up the Mercedes 2.1 litre turbo diesel and it quietly purrs away with a distinctly ‘undiesel’ smoothness. The turbo diesel is mated to Daimler’s own seven-speed automatic, controlled by a lever on the steering column, just like the old days,
but it does work really well. Power is fed to the ground via rear wheel drive and the Valente tips the scales at 2348kg kerb weight.
The diesel produces maximum power of 120kW at 3800rpm and peak torque of 380Nm produced between 1400 and 2400rpm. There is no doubt this is a strong and hard-working Benz diesel which was designed and engineered correctly in the first place. It has been around for the best part of 14 years, but it is still quiet, smooth and very torquey.
The ambiance in the cabin is enhanced by the very good sound insulation, that is of course a hallmark of Benz across its vast product range, not just cars, but commercials and trucks.
Slot the auto into drive and the Valente glides away from the kerb and quickly accelerates into the traffic flow and cruises with ease and aplomb.
The mark of how good the insulation and low levels of engine noise really is reflected by the fact that easy conversations can be had across all three rows of seats with never a raised voice. It is very quiet indeed.
For our trip most of the time we had the third row of seats folded up and out of the way to fit four bicycles and luggage for five people. All of this fitted a bit like a Tetrus puzzle, but all did fit and the large and easy to lift rear door allowed easy access and a low lip, so even heavy items were easy to load.
The low and mid-range torque of the diesel really punched the Valente along without fuss and without having to rev it too hard.
The Valente’s audio system is excellent and fills the van with sound whether from AM, FM, DAB or from your phone, either by Bluetooth or through the inbuilt Apple CarPlay or Android Auto The new 7.0 inch infotainment is easy to use but interestingly is not the latest Benz MBUX version, which is a pity, but this one still works really well.
Navigation is optional in the system, but really with a half decent smart phone and CarPlay/Android hook up it is easier and better to use the Google Maps app on your phone.
You soon learn that the Valente is an option package with the base model at a starting price of $65,800 plus on-road costs. However the test Valente we had was well equipped but mainly because it had more than $10,000 added to the price with extras. The extensive optioning boosted the price of the test machine to for a $76,225 plus on roads.
Extras on the test Valante included Audio 40 with satellite navigation at $700, adaptive cruise control with a tag of $1500, LED headlights and high-beam assist at a whopping $3060, 17-inch alloy wheels for $780, dual electric sliding doors at $2600, and window tinting for that
mysterious limo look at $270, and finally that Obsidian Black paint to complete the ‘rock star/VIP’ look at $1515. All of that adds a grand total of $10,425 to the retail ask. Still the Valente even at the optioned up price is a good buy.
As you might expect from a Mercedes Benz safety is a priority and there is no scrimping. The Valente has a five star ANCAP rating, there are airbags across all three rows of seats, as well as three point seat belts across all seats. It also has autonomous emergency braking, stability control, rain sensing wipers, headlight assist and speed sign recognition as well as front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, which all in all make a pretty complete safety package.
From all reports our fiends relayed seating across all three rows of seats is comfortable and very relaxed. There are air vents, and lights throughout the Valente and on a day trip without the bikes with all the seats filled the accommodation got a big-thumbs up from all occupants. The ultimate endorsement was when two of the passengers fell sound asleep with a chorus of snoring, something that is difficult if the van is too noisy or uncomfortable .
The luggage area in the back is massive with 730 litres of space when all three rows of seats are in action, a lot more when the rear is folded up or removed altogether.
We put close to 2500 kilometres on the Valente during a week away and the fuel consumption was excellent even with some pretty big loads on board. At highway cruising speeds on the Hume, we recorded a best average of a meagre 6.9 litres/100km, which was very impressive. City and hilly work saw it slurping a little more but it was never over 8.0 litres /100km, very impressive for a people mover like this.
Handling wise for a van of this size the Benz feels nimble and precise and is very capable, with great stopping power and fabulous steering that offers terrific feel and sharpness. It has a very compact 11.8 metre turning circle, which for shuttle operators in urban areas would be a blessing
The Valente comes with a five-year warranty, which is excellent however it does come with a cap of 250,000km, so if it is being operated commercially with heavy use, it could soon be out of cover before the five year limit is reached. There is naturally 24-hour roadside assistance, almost a given these days, while the Valente’s service intervals are 12 months/25,000km.
This Valente is comfortable, flexible, nice to drive, has the cache of a Benz badge and is above all safe and well built. We enjoyed our time in it and for carting a bunch of friends, a ton of luggage and bicycles over long distances, it was the perfect choice. Would we own one? Yes in a heartbeat.
