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Photo of a Mercedes-Benz V-Class

Mercedes-Benz V-Class

1996: the V-Class beat the A-Class to front-wheel drive.1

Researched October 26, 2026 from 29 sources

Also called

  • Benz-BulliA road-test nickname for the V-Class as a stylish counterpart to the VW Bus.2

At a glance

0150300
97–254 hpPower
012.525
7.9–20.6 s0–100 km/h
0125250
155–220 km/hTop speed

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.14714

Engine
V280 Volkswagen VR6; Viano V6s; OM654 2.0 L diesel; M254 gas mild hybrid35810
Layout
W638: transverse FWD; Viano/W447: RWD or 4MATIC471112
Gearbox
W638: 5MT/4AT; Viano: 6MT/5AT; V-Class: 7G-/9G-TRONIC automatic1713
Built at
Vitoria-Gasteiz plant, Spain; Fujian Daimler Automotive, Fuzhou, China35
Units built
About 85,000 V-Class models (W638 only)3

The story

1996: Mercedes passenger cars get front-drive19961999: Common-rail diesels arrive19992003: Viano name, rear-wheel-drive rethink20032010: Viano's BlueEFFICIENCY engine trio20102011: Edition 125 brings V6 pace20112019: V300 d: 7.9 seconds and nine speeds20192024: M254 mild hybrid and a digital cockpit20242026: STYLE and AVANTGARDE anniversary editions2026 Mercedes-Benz V-Class (W638): 1996–2003W638Mercedes-Benz Viano (W639): 2003–2014W639Mercedes-Benz V-Class (W447): 2014–presentW447 1995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsMilestones451319
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1996–2003Mercedes-Benz V-Class (W638)
2003–2014Mercedes-Benz Viano (W639)
2014–presentMercedes-Benz V-Class (W447)
1996Mercedes passenger cars get front-drive
1999Common-rail diesels arrive
2003Viano name, rear-wheel-drive rethink
2010Viano's BlueEFFICIENCY engine trio
2011Edition 125 brings V6 pace
2019V300 d: 7.9 seconds and nine speeds
2024M254 mild hybrid and a digital cockpit
2026STYLE and AVANTGARDE anniversary editions
  1. 1996

    Mercedes passenger cars get front-drive

    Unveiled at Geneva, the W638 pioneered front-wheel drive for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, with self-leveling rear air suspension standard.1

  2. 1999

    Common-rail diesels arrive

    The Geneva facelift introduced OM611 common-rail diesels: V200 CDI with 101 hp/250 Nm and V220 CDI with 120 hp/300 Nm.34

  3. 2003

    Viano name, rear-wheel-drive rethink

    The 639-series successor replaced the V-Class badge with Viano and switched to rear-wheel drive.35

  4. 2010

    Viano's BlueEFFICIENCY engine trio

    BlueEFFICIENCY diesels offered 134 hp in the 2.0 CDI, 161 hp in the 2.2 CDI and 221 hp in the 3.0 CDI V6.5

  5. 2011

    Edition 125 brings V6 pace

    Viano Avantgarde Edition 125 brought 19-inch wheels and V6 power: its 221 hp 3.0 CDI reached 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds; a gasoline V6 was also offered.6

  6. 2019

    V300 d: 7.9 seconds and nine speeds

    OM654 and 9G-TRONIC arrived: the 236 hp V300 d made 500 Nm, plus 30 Nm briefly, and reached 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds on its way to 220 km/h.7

  7. 2024

    M254 mild hybrid and a digital cockpit

    OM654 diesels offered 161, 187 or 234 hp; a 228 hp M254 mild hybrid was announced. The cockpit gained twin 12.3-inch displays.8

  8. 2026

    STYLE and AVANTGARDE anniversary editions

    Special Edition STYLE and AVANTGARDE marked the 140-year anniversary with bundled comfort equipment, available across all engines and body lengths.9

Every generation

  • Mercedes-Benz MB 100
    Mercedes-Benz MB 100
  • Mercedes-Benz V-Class
    W6381996–2003
  • Mercedes-Benz Viano
    W6392003–2014
  • Mercedes-Benz V-Class
    W4472014–present

Power over the years

From 97 hp to 254 hp in 11 years.

0100200300 199520002005201020152020 hp 1996 · 97 hp · V230 TD1996 · 127 hp · V200 2.01996 · 141 hp · V230 2.31997 · 172 hp · V280 Volkswagen 2.8 L VR61999 · 120 hp · V220 CDI2003 · 148 hp · Viano 2.2 CDI2007 · 254 hp · Viano 3.5 gasoline V62010 · 221 hp · Viano 3.0 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY2014 · 134 hp · V200 CDI 2.1 turbodiesel2014 · 161 hp · V220 CDI2014 · 187 hp · V250 BlueTEC, 7G-TRONIC PLUS2019 · 236 hp · V300 d OM654 254 hp Viano 3.5 gasoline V6 97 hp V230 TD
134571415
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
199697V230 TD
1996127V200 2.0
1996141V230 2.3
1997172V280 Volkswagen 2.8 L VR6
1999120V220 CDI
2003148Viano 2.2 CDI
2007254Viano 3.5 gasoline V6
2010221Viano 3.0 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY
2014134V200 CDI 2.1 turbodiesel
2014161V220 CDI
2014187V250 BlueTEC, 7G-TRONIC PLUS
2019236V300 d OM654

Versions

8 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Viano Fun / Trend / Ambiente / Avantgarde

    Standard

    Viano Fun / Trend / Ambiente / Avantgarde

  • Standard

    V-Class RISE

    2017

  • V-Class AMG Line / Night Package

    Special

    V-Class AMG Line / Night Package

  • Special

    V-Class Special Edition STYLE / AVANTGARDE

    2026

  • Viano X-Clusive / Avantgarde Edition 125

    Special

    Viano X-Clusive / Avantgarde Edition 125

  • Special

    Grand Edition Viano AVANTGARDE

    2013

  • Limited

    V-Class Limited Edition

    2017

  • Limited

    Limited Edition Viano Pearl

    2012

How to spot one

Look for

  • W638: sharply raked windshield and narrow, outward-curving A-pillars.1
  • W638: dark side-window surrounds visually hide the B- and C-pillars.1
  • 2019 V-Class: diamond-textured grille with a central star between two silver bars.7
  • 2024: dark-edged LED taillights; with opening rear glass, a chrome strip reads Mercedes-Benz.8

Year by year

  1. 1999

    Four body-color grille slats and matching bumpers, sills and handles arrive; FASHION gains carbon-look dash trim.3

  2. 2010

    Viano gets reshaped front and rear bumpers, new headlights and LED daytime-running strips beneath them.513

  3. 2014

    The new V-Class brings a freestanding 7-inch center screen and a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel.15

  4. 2019

    Revised bumper and patterned grille; AMG Line gets chrome-pin diamonds, and the cabin gains turbine-style vents.7

  5. 2024

    Bold new grille and LED taillights; EXCLUSIVE adds a standing hood star, and the dashboard gains twin 12.3-inch screens.812

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Mercedes-Benz V-Class
    V-Class
    Photo of a Mercedes-Benz Vito (W638)
    Mercedes-Benz Vito (W638)

    Mercedes-Benz Vito (W638)

    Its mirrors are larger and unpainted; headlights, grille and taillight textures also differ from the passenger V-Class.4

  • Photo of a Mercedes-Benz V-Class
    V-Class
    Photo of a Mercedes-Benz Vito / Metris
    Mercedes-Benz Vito / Metris

    Mercedes-Benz Vito / Metris

    For the passenger V-Class, 2024 EXCLUSIVE trim brings a standing hood star and 19-inch Monobloc-style wheels.1213

Against its rivals

  • Opel Zafira Life 2.0 D

    V-Class vs Opel Zafira Life 2.0 D

    0–100 km/h lower is better

    V-Class8.9 s
    Opel Zafira Life 2.0 D10.7 s
    20
  • VW Multivan 1.4 eHybrid (T7)

    V-Class vs VW Multivan 1.4 eHybrid (T7)

    0–100 km/h lower is better

    V-Class8.9 s
    VW Multivan 1.4 eHybrid (T7)8.6 s
    20

Prices

Value today $103.4K–$147.3K24

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$50K$100K$150K 200020052010201520202025 Value today: $103,400–$147,300 1999 · $31,000 · DE base V200 CDI; approx. USD1999 · $37,500 · DE base V280; approx. USD2014 · $58,800 · DE base V200 CDI; approx. USD2014 · $60,200 · DE base V220 CDI; approx. USD2014 · $67,400 · DE base V250 BlueTEC; approx. USD2014 · $92,300 · DE Edition 1; approx. USD2024 · $64,200 · DE base V-Class; approx. USD2024 · $115,200 · DE V300d Exclusive RWD, tested2026 · $74,400 · DE STYLE edition; approx. USD2026 · $84,800 · DE AVANTGARDE edition; approx. USD 2023 · $140,500 · 2019 V-Class; approx. GBP to USD, Collecting Cars2024 · $6,750 · 1998 V230, 99,000 km shown, Bring a Trailer2024 · $9,250 · 1998 V230, 60k miles, The MB Market2025 · $16,350 · V220 CDI Avantgarde, 83,542 km; approx. USD, Bandar Seri Begawan2025 · $109,000 · 2021 V Class 250D; approx. GBP to USD, Collecting Cars2025 · $7,200 · 2005 Viano 3.2 FUN, 64k miles, BaT $140.5K Collecting Cars, 2023
3891213152426272829
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1999Price when new$31,000DE base V200 CDI; approx. USD
1999Price when new$37,500DE base V280; approx. USD
2014Price when new$58,800DE base V200 CDI; approx. USD
2014Price when new$60,200DE base V220 CDI; approx. USD
2014Price when new$67,400DE base V250 BlueTEC; approx. USD
2014Price when new$92,300DE Edition 1; approx. USD
2024Price when new$64,200DE base V-Class; approx. USD
2024Price when new$115,200DE V300d Exclusive RWD, tested
2026Price when new$74,400DE STYLE edition; approx. USD
2026Price when new$84,800DE AVANTGARDE edition; approx. USD
2023Auction sale$140,5002019 V-Class; approx. GBP to USD, Collecting Cars
2024Auction sale$6,7501998 V230, 99,000 km shown, Bring a Trailer
2024Auction sale$9,2501998 V230, 60k miles, The MB Market
2025Auction sale$16,350V220 CDI Avantgarde, 83,542 km; approx. USD, Bandar Seri Begawan
2025Auction sale$109,0002021 V Class 250D; approx. GBP to USD, Collecting Cars
2025Auction sale$7,2002005 Viano 3.2 FUN, 64k miles, BaT
2026Value today$103,400–$147,300

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 8 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 12 stories from its legend
    • “A Viano won the SUV class on its rally debut”
    • “A Narnia edition with twin DVD screens”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 4 generations

  • Market

    • 3 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 29 sources
  1. 638 series V-Class Multi Purpose Vehicles, 1996 - 1999 mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com
  2. Mercedes V-Klasse: Gebrauchtwagen-Test - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  3. 638 series V-Class Multi Purpose Vehicles, 1999 - 2003 mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com
  4. Mercedes-Benz W 638 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  5. Mercedes-Benz Baureihe 639 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  6. Le nouveau Mercedes-Benz Viano Avantgarde Edition 125 : la grande classe en tout point. media.mercedes-benz.be
  7. Die neue V-Klasse – das Erfolgsmodell noch attraktiver media.mercedes-benz.be
  8. Der neue EQV und die neue V-Klasse von Mercedes-Benz - Auf dem Weg zu mehr Hochwertigkeit | Mercedes-Benz Media media.mercedes-benz.com
  9. 140 years of innovation: V-Class Special Edition STYLE and AVANTGARDE | Mercedes-Benz Media media.mercedes-benz.com
  10. DRIVEN: Mercedes-Benz V300d 9G-tronic - CAR Magazine carmag.co.za
  11. Mercedes-Benz Viano 4MATIC Class Winner in Women’s Rally | eMercedesBenz emercedesbenz.com
  12. What It’s Like Driving the Mercedes Minivan That Costs as Much as an S-Class motortrend.com
  13. Mercedes-Benz V-класс — Википедия ru.wikipedia.org
  14. Genf 2012: Mercedes-Benz Viano Pearl ab Sommer erhältlich - Auto-Medienportal auto-medienportal.net
  15. Hier zuerst: Der Verkaufsprospekt zur Mercedes-Benz V-Klasse - Verkaufsfreigabe ab 06.03.2014 mbpassion.de
  16. Mercedes-Benz Grand Edition Viano AVANTGARDE: elegancki, dynamiczny, ekskluzywny media.mercedes-benz.pl
  17. Mercedes-Benz V-Class gets two new variants for IAA - paultan.org paultan.org
  18. Mercedes Marco Polo: Preis/Ausstattung autozeitung.de
  19. Used Mercedes V-Class review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  20. V-Klasse/Zafira Life/T7 Multivan: Vergleichstest autozeitung.de
  21. Mercedes-Benz Viano Narnia "Limited Edition" media.mercedes-benz.it
  22. Revolution statt Evolution: Die neue Designphilosophie der V-Klasse mbpassion.de
  23. You’ll Never Believe What Movie Mercedes-Benz is Starring In | eMercedesBenz emercedesbenz.com
  24. Mercedes-Benz V250 For Sale & Price Guide | TCV theclassicvaluer.com
  25. Gebrauchtwagen-Test: Mercedes V-Klasse - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  26. No Reserve: 1998 Mercedes-Benz V230 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $6,750 on October 1, 2024 (Lot #164,898) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  27. Bandar Seri Begawan Online Auction online-auction.state.gov
  28. No Reserve: GCC-Market 2005 Mercedes-Benz Viano 3.2 FUN for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $7,200 on December 4, 2025 (Lot #222,262) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. 1998 Mercedes-Benz V230 w/60k Miles For Sale | The MB Market thembmarket.com
  • mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com
  • autobild.de
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • media.mercedes-benz.be
  • media.mercedes-benz.com
  • carmag.co.za
  • emercedesbenz.com
  • motortrend.com
  • ru.wikipedia.org
  • auto-medienportal.net
  • mbpassion.de
  • media.mercedes-benz.pl
  • paultan.org
  • autozeitung.de

Photo credits

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