Car Statistics: Mercedes - Viano Series 03 (1 star)

Styling (2 stars)

If you want to put a van with windows on the drive then it's perfect.

Handling (1 star)

Limited grip, poor steering feel and lots of roll under cornering. Dreadful.

Comfort (2 stars)

Occupants enjoy loads of space but the ride is harsh and refinement is poor at motorway speeds.

Quality (2 stars)

Tough commercial construction means it should last the distance, but the cabin has nothing like the quality feel you'd expect from something wearing a Mercedes badge.

Performance (2 stars)

CDI diesel engine is loud, crude and slow - but at least it makes more sense than the thirsty petrol version.

Roominess (4 stars)

Van underpinnings mean there's loads of space - but only for six occupants. The rear seats can't be removed either, limiting practicality.

Costs (3 stars)

Diesel turns in respectable fuel economy for something so big and servicing is cheap by Merc standards. Depreciation is reasonable for a vehicle of this type.

Value (2 stars)

Expensive compared to mainstream MPV rivals and the range-topping versions look very expensive considering how crude they are.

Stereo (2 stars)

The audio system can't compete with road and wind noise at higher speeds. Satnav unavailable.