The Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) class is full of well-rounded contenders but few have such unashamedly premium aspirations as the Mercedes-Benz V-Class. With an elegantly finished interior and plenty of space, the V-Class has been the beloved choice of private hire transportation companies since it arrived in 2014, and Mercedes is looking to continue that success with a V-Class facelift for 2024. The marque has refreshed its MPV with an updated front and rear end, an updated dashboard and new driver assistance features.

It’s the third generation of this type of Mercedes, which is essentially a luxurious MPV version of the Mercedes-Benz Vito van. This Mk3 V-Class resurrected the name applied to the first iteration, back in 1996, and replaced the subsequent Viano-branded model in 2015.

As a wider group, MPVs have been under assault from the best SUVs for several years, with the majority of buyers preferring the more on-trend appearance of these lifestyle vehicles over the greater practicality of purpose-designed people carriers.

Even this large – and largely van-based – segment of the people-carrying market has suffered attrition. Arch V-Class rival, the Volkswagen Multivan (itself a replacement for the long-standing VW Caravelle), is still very much available, as is the popular Ford Tourneo Custom. But many of the other alternatives have been discontinued, become electric MPVs only, or are experiencing restricted availability.

So while the Citroen SpaceTourer, Peugeot Traveller, Toyota Proace Verso and Vauxhall Vivaro Life (which are all variants of the same vehicle) are all worth considering, to find the one you want you may have to buy a used car instead of a new one.

To distinguish it from the van it’s based on, the V-Class’s exterior design incorporates more visual cues from the Mercedes passenger car range, giving it a reasonably sleek appearance for a big box capable of carrying up to eight people inside. The interior gets a similar upgrade, though dynamically there’s only so much you can do, rear-wheel drive, an automatic transmission and plenty of refinement mean passengers used to prestige vehicles won’t get too much of a shock.

There’s plenty of high-tech and safety kit available, though these days only a single AMG Line trim level is on offer to UK buyers. Similarly, whereas there were previously three choices of length, now you can only get a V-Class Long or V-Class Extra Long. These can be paired with a choice of two diesel powertrains; the all-electric version is covered by our separate Mercedes-Benz EQV review. There’s a Marco Polo campervan as well.

Over the next few pages our V-Class review will go into greater depth about the driving experience, technology and all-important interior experience before giving this large people carrier our full verdict. To find out more about how we examine cars, be sure to head over to our how we test cars page.