The Viano cabin uses many switches and controls from the 2000 C-Class. Quality is pretty good but compared to models like the SLK – launched in the same year – it looks dated and bland. The driving position is good though and there’s excellent forward visibility thanks to the large windscreen and high driving position. The view back is more awkward and the length of the Viano can make parallel parking tricky but a near-vertical tailgate means it’s easy to judge where the rear is.

The foot-operated parking brake can be a little cumbersome on manual models, but it’s easier to use on automatics and means space is freed up between the two front seats.

The Viano may look square and boxy, but this has benefits for passenger space. The driving position has been set out for a 6ft4 driver while in the back there’s plenty of head and legroom room all round. The Viano is available in different lengths – standard, long (which uses a longer wheelbase) and extra long (which has a larger overhang than the long version) so there’s plenty of choice depending on your needs.

All the seats are ergonomically designed and have three-point seatbelts while single passenger seats have armrests and adjustable backrests. They also slide forward on rails so you can adjust legroom or luggage space accordingly while sliding rear doors on both sides make access easy.