The Mercedes-Benz Vaneo is a five-door, seven-seater compact MPV produced from 2001 to 2005. It used the platform of the first-generation A-Class and was built as a passenger car rather than a van.
Mercedes-Benz Vaneo at a glance
| Production | 2001–2005 |
|---|---|
| Type | compact MPV, five doors |
| Seats | five standard, seven with the optional third row |
| Platform | first-generation A-Class |
| Drive | front-wheel drive only |
| Engines | four-cylinder only: 1.6 petrol in two outputs, 1.9 petrol and 1.7 diesel |
| Emissions | Euro 3 |
| Gearboxes | five-speed manual, ACS automated clutch or TouchShift automatic |
| Doors | two sliding rear doors |
| Load space | up to 3,000 litres with the rear seats removed |
| Optional | slide-out boot floor rated at 120 kg |
| Replaced by | B-Class |
This article is based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Mercedes-Benz Vaneo.
History of the Mercedes-Benz Vaneo
The Vaneo was designed as a compact MPV for families and small businesses rather than a commercial van, despite its name coming from Van, the German word used for MPVs. It was front-wheel drive only and limited to four-cylinder engines. The body had two sliding rear doors and a sandwich floor, which gave a van-like driving position and a higher roofline. It suited the British Motability scheme for disabled drivers and was also used as a taxi.
Five seats were standard, with two individual seats in a third row optional. With all the rear seats removed there was up to 3,000 litres of cargo space, and a slide-out boot floor rated at 120 kg was optional. Roof rails were standard on the Trend and Ambiente models, and ISOfix anchorages were fitted to all cars. Engines met Euro 3 and included 1.6-litre petrol in two states of tune, a 1.9-litre petrol and a 1.7-litre diesel, with three five-speed transmissions: a manual, an automated clutch system called ACS and a conventional automatic called TouchShift.
The Vaneo was tested by Euro NCAP in 2002 and by Thatcham’s security rating organisation. Reviews were mixed: Parker’s praised the interior space and town manners but criticised rattly trim, ungainly styling and a firm ride, while the RAC gave it 6.4 out of 10 and called it surprisingly good despite uninspiring looks. Because of quality issues and poor sales the Vaneo was discontinued after a three-year run and replaced in the same year by the similarly sized B-Class.
Design and features
- Sliding doors: two rear sliding doors for tight parking spaces.
- Sandwich floor: a higher roofline and van-like driving position.
- Seven seats: five standard with two optional in the third row.
- Large load space: up to 3,000 litres with the rear seats removed.
Mercedes-Benz Vaneo versions
- 1.6 petrol: two power outputs.
- 1.9 petrol: the largest petrol engine.
- 1.7 diesel: the economy option.
- ACS and TouchShift: automated clutch and automatic gearboxes.
The Vaneo used the A-Class platform and was replaced by the B-Class. More in the Mercedes-Benz collection.
Video: Mercedes Vaneo 1.7 CDI
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Mercedes-Benz Vaneo, English Wikipedia: design, engines, equipment, reviews, end of production
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