Mercedes-Benz launches T-Class premium small MPV – Could it be a Commercial Van?

Mercedes has revealed the latest addition to its broad roster of models: the new T-Class. It’s a small MPV that’s based on the Mercedes Citan compact van. It will be Mercedes’ alternative to other van-derived people carriers of similar size like the VW Caddy, Ford Tourneo Connect, Citroen Berlingo and Vauxhall Combo Life, to name but a few.

Could it be a Commercial Van?

Although it resembles a commercial van, the T-Class is not meant for commercial use. Mercedes says the model is aimed at “families and active leisure enthusiasts”.

Underlining this position are repeated references to the T-Class competing in the “private small van segment” instead of the commercial one.

Indeed, the T-Class’ dimensions – 4498mm x 1859mm x 1811mm – reflect this.

Interior and Technology

Mercedes offers a wide breadth of practical touches for the T-Class as well. For instance, all four passenger seats (including the front one) are child friendly, with the front passenger and two outer rear seats equipped with ISOFIX points. The middle rear seat can accommodate a booster seat.

The Mercedes T-Class shares a lot of its interior architecture with the panel van on which it’s based, though it comes with a few more gadgets and creature comforts that make it feel a bit plusher inside.

As standard, the new T-Class comes with faux-leather upholstery, a seven-inch touchscreen, air conditioning, LED interior lighting and a keyless start. All versions of the Mercedes T-Class on the safety assist front come out of the box with a hill start assist, blind-spot monitoring, a lane keep assist, and a driver drowsiness monitoring system. Isofix child seat mounting points are available on the front passenger and outer rear seats, and Mercedes claims the rear bench is wide enough to accommodate three child seats fitted side-by-side.

There will also be a selection of features that will be offered on the T-Class as optional extras. Highlights include two-zone climate control, built-in sat-nav, LED headlights and an autonomous parking assist that can control the car’s steering when you’re reversing into a parking spot. Remember that the entry-level Mercedes T-Class doesn’t get a reversing camera or electric rear windows as standard. 

Regardless of the engine under the bonnet, the Mercedes T-Class will be front-wheel drive, and all versions come as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. A seven-speed automatic gearbox will also be available as an option on all engines bar the entry-level petrol.

Eventually, Mercedes will launch a fully electric version of the T-Class, called the EQT. However, there’s no concrete release window for this vehicle yet, which suggests the Mercedes EQT won’t go on sale until 2023.