Most luxury brands don’t tread into the minivan market, but Mercedes-Benz is taking another crack at it.
If you look around the minivan market here in the U.S., you’ll land on the same four main competitors: the Chrysler Pacifica, the Honda Odyssey, the Kia Carnival and the Toyota Sienna. Your major luxury players don’t sell minivans (at least not in the U.S.), but that picture is about to change with the new 2028 Mercedes-Benz VLE-Class.
Yep, another three letters for a different kind of vehicle. That’s not to say Mercedes-Benz hasn’t been a player in the van space, as we’ve had the Sprinter for years and formerly saw the smaller Metris as well. But this is a different kettle of fish, because it’s a true luxurious limousine in a similar vein to the brand’s fancier SUVs and sedans. The VLE is a production-intent follow-up on the Vision V concept we saw last spring. While this model isn’t quite that crazy, it does bring a lot of design cues forward into the version you’ll actually be able to buy.
So, what all are we looking at here?
Much like the concept, the VLE-Class makes an impression by way of its large grille with an illuminated surround, similar to the new GLC. The profile, however, is unlike Mercedes’ other models, offering up your dual sliding doors and high roofline to accommodate rear passengers. At the back, you get a tall and wide power liftgate with a thin set of taillights surrounding the truly huge aperture for loading cargo or, if you need to, removing the rearmost seats.
The 2028 Mercedes-Benz VLE can hold up to eight people, depending on the seating configuration. The second row is arguably the most interesting one to see, as you can have a couple different versions of captain’s chairs. Apart from your more practical three-person bench, you can get swiveling seats that can flip around to face the rear seats, or an electrically powered “Grand Comfort Seat” with an additional pillow, wireless charging, lumbar support, massage function and not just thigh support, but calf support as well.
In true Mercedes fashion, the VLE-Class gets a MBUX Superscreen as standard equipment. That comprises a 10.25-inch driver display, a 14-inch center display and a 14-inch screen for the front passenger. Naturally, it comes with Mercedes’ AI-powered virtual assistant, while you also get features like a panoramic roof with an electric sunblind, as well as the swanky seats as an option. The real coup de grace, however, is the screen hidden in the headliner above the seats. Now, that’s been a minivan staple, but this particular screen is a 31.3-inch, 8K resolution panoramic screen, that features a split-screen setup (so each passenger can stream their own videos). It also has an 8-megapixel camera for business video conferences, if you feel the need to do that in the back of your luxurious VLE-Class (better than sitting at a desk?).
What about the ‘E’ word?
If you saw the Vision V concept already, then you know where the conversation is going next. The 2028 Mercedes-Benz VLE is a fully electric van, complete with an 800-volt electrical architecture and 115-kWh battery (so, more than the VW ID.Buzz). Two models will ultimately be available: the VLE300 with a single, 272-horsepower motor; or the VLE400 4Matic, with a 409-horsepower dual-motor arrangement. The latter, more powerful version promises a 0-60 time of 6.4 seconds, for the aggressive parents out there.
What about range? Well, Mercedes promises a range of 700 kilometers, though that’s using the generous WLTP standard. Official EPA figures will probably land in the 350-375ish mile range, while the automaker says you can recharge up to 300 kW on a DC fast-charger, replenishing as much as 220 miles in 15 minutes.
The VLE lineup also includes available air springs that can raise or lower the ride height up to 1.5 inches for easier loading and unloading, as well as 7 degrees of rear-wheel steering. Standard models will come with decently sized 19-inch wheels, though going for the AMG Line trim can get you some over-the-top 22-inch wheels. An Executive Line trim is also available, with some versions getting an in-between set of 21-inch wheels, so there’s a little something for everyone.
More to come, including pricing
While the 2028 Mercedes-Benz VLE-Class is set to roll into showrooms next year, it won’t be the only van we see from the Three-Pointed Star on this platform. The Van.EA architecture is also designed to support a cargo van, so we could soon see a sort of electric replacement for the old Metris. A VLS-Class (think a segment up from here) is also potentially in the cards, to give the brand a minivan flagship on par with the S-Class sedan or GLS-Class SUV.
As for the VLE specifically, we don’t know exactly how much it will cost just yet. The entry-level VLE300 will be the first to hit the scene, with the VLE400 to follow shortly thereafter. It will probably start somewhere in the $75,000 range, with the more potent and luxurious powertrain/trim combinations to rise into six-figure territory.
