We say Don’t be fooled by the windows, the Viano is big, noisy, expensive van-thing. Admittedly, it has and eight seats and lots of space.Performance The 3.5-litre petrol engine available with the Viano is eager; the 2.0-litre turbodiesel is underpowered but the 2.2-litre diesel is most practical and copes well with the sheer weight of the vehicle.Emissions Not good on the eco front, although the 2.0-litre CDI returns 33mpg while emitting 215g/km, that’s not too bad considering the vehicle’s size and weight.Driving The van origins of the Viano are evident here. The Viano offers a poor ride unless you choose optional air suspension. Its size doesn’t lend itself to cornering but it is predictably comfortable as a cruiser.Feel The engines feel strained when it is pushed but wind intrusion is not bad even at higher speeds.Space The Viano is a huge car and its van-like shape lends itself to creating a spacious interior. It comes with six seats, which are awkward to move but offer plenty of room for passengers, or eight on the LWB version.Equipment The Viano comes with CD player and air con as standard. Alloys, auto box, leather and air suspension on higher trim levels but it doesn’t match other Mercedes cars in terms of equipment.Price The Mercedes Viano is an expensive people carrier starting from a little under £30,000. This isn’t helped by unimpressive residual values. Running costs can be lowered by being clever about engine choice.Quality The cabin feels cheap but the environment for rear passengers is better. It feels sturdy, even if Mercedes hasn’t exactly focused on creating a luxury interior.Safety It did not get top scores in safety tests (four stars for adult protection and three for child protection) but the Viano comes with a good range of safety technology. Stability technology, importantly, is included.Pros The LWB model is huge and can seat eight. It is popular with fleets because of the space and the badge on the front. A decent cruiser.Cons The Viano is noisy and expensive. Its size makes it awkward around town and despite its space it is not the most practical or flexible MPV.Alternatives Citroen C8
