First Look: 2026 Mercedes-Benz V-Class ELWB

Sumesh Soman Updated: March 02, 2026, 03:56 PM IST

Is this the best luxury van to buy in India right now?

There was a time when the V-Class in India seemed little more than a well-appointed airport shuttle. Comfortable? Certainly. Luxurious? To an extent. Aspirational? Hardly.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz V-Class Extra-Long Wheelbase rewrites that script entirely. This is no mere fleet special with leather seats - it's a flagship people-mover designed to go head-to-head with the Toyota Vellfire and Lexus LM. In more ways than one, it quietly sets a new benchmark.

And for India, Mercedes has pulled out all the stops.
Mercedes-Benz V-Class ELWB has been launched at an introductory price of Rs 1.40 crore.

Properly Dressed

India receives the AMG Line exterior as standard, giving the V-Class a far more assertive presence - complete with a star-pattern grille, sportier bumpers, AMG-style vent detailing, and an LED light strip neatly integrated into the grille. It's unmistakable after dark, or in the day!

The headlamps are full MULTIBEAM LED units with Highbeam Assist Plus. Each cluster houses 84 individually controllable LEDs that adapt their beam pattern according to traffic and speed. On Indian highways, this translates to genuinely effective illumination - without dazzling oncoming motorists.

Proportionally, it remains a van: nearly 5.4 metres long and riding on a 3,430mm wheelbase. Upright, honest and unapologetically boxy. But it's a very well-dressed van. If you find the Vellfire or LM a touch theatrical in their styling, the V-Class favours restraint. It commands presence, but without the drama.

Extra-Long and It Shows

India gets only the Extra-Long Wheelbase version - a decision that matters. Every millimetre of that additional length is put to good use, translating directly into extra cabin space and greater luggage capacity.

Both rear sliding doors are electrically operated. You can control them from the dashboard, from the B-pillar switches, or via the key fob. Interestingly, the key will open only the left-side door - a small but thoughtful touch in a right-hand-drive country where that's the safer side to step out from.

Open the door, and the Mercedes logo projector illuminates the ground. Subtle? Not quite. But no one buying a car like this is chasing understatement.

At the rear, the tailgate is electrically operated and enormous. Which is why Mercedes has added a split-opening rear glass section. In tight parking spaces, you can just pop the glass open to grab a laptop bag instead of wrestling with the full tailgate. It's practical in a way that luxury often overlooks.

AIRMATIC Changes the Game

India is the first market to receive AIRMATIC air suspension as standard on both petrol and diesel variants. That's significant - because whether you are buying, leasing or hiring the new V-Class, the ride quality will always feel equally premium.

The system continuously adjusts damping, maintains ride height even when fully loaded, and can lower itself slightly at higher speeds for improved efficiency and stability. In theory, this means the V-Class should glide over rough patches yet remain composed at speed. In a segment where comfort is paramount, standardising AIRMATIC sends a clear message: this isn't a converted van, but a vehicle engineered to feel genuinely luxurious.

Six Seats, Your Way

India receives a six-seat layout as standard: two seats up front, two captain's chairs in the second row, and two individual seats in the third.

This is the first vehicle to offer ventilated third-row seats - and it's not just a token gesture. The third row is genuinely usable, with ample legroom and proper cushioning. Each seat is equipped with two USB-C ports, and there are multiple 12V outlets. The boot remains spacious enough for serious luggage - even a small fridge, should you so desire.

But the second row is where this becomes something else entirely. Each of these captain's chairs weighs between 100 and 150kg, owing to their heavy cushioning, three-stage ventilation, massage functionality, deployable calf support and extendable leg rests. Only India and China receive this specification.

Due to their weight, they can't simply be removed at home. If you wish to reconfigure or remove them altogether - to carry cargo, or even a motorcycle - it requires a visit to an authorised workshop. These aren't folding chairs; they are proper furniture.

With the familiar Mercedes seat controls, you can fully stretch out. There are deployable cupholders, elegantly designed wireless charging pads with Mercedes branding, and the option to configure the second and third rows in a face-to-face arrangement - for meetings on the move. Yes, appraisal meetings in traffic are now technically possible.

THERMOTRONIC climate control, supported by a more powerful compressor, ensures all three rows cool rapidly - a small but crucial detail in Indian summers. Add in window blinds and comprehensive airbag coverage, and the rear cabin feels less like an MPV and more like an executive lounge on wheels.

Front Cabin

The front cabin is in sync with the rest of the Mercedes line-up. Twin 12.3-inch displays run MBUX, offering crisp graphics and slick responses. The ENERGIZING Comfort suite provides up to eleven programmes - Freshness, Warmth, Vitality, Power Nap, and even soundscapes such as Forest Clearing and Sounds of the Sea. This is the most comprehensive energising suite Mercedes offers in any model.

Ambient lighting spans 64 colours, while the 640-watt Burmester surround sound system with 15 speakers truly transforms the cabin. If you want to turn this into a party van, it's certainly up to the task. Even the driver is not forgotten. The front seats are electrically adjustable, ventilated, and offer cushion-length adjustment. In a car designed to pamper rear passengers, that balance is essential.

Powertrains

For 2026, India receives both petrol and diesel options, each producing around 230PS and paired with a 9-speed automatic gearbox. That's a crucial shift. The earlier V-Class was diesel-only and felt fleet-oriented. Offering a petrol option changes the perception entirely. This is no longer just a luxury shuttle - it's as good as a flagship.

Safety

Safety sees a serious upgrade, too. Seven airbags come as standard. In addition, there's a full Level 2 ADAS suite, including Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, ATTENTION ASSIST, a driver monitoring camera, a 360-degree camera with Active Parking Assist, twelve ultrasonic sensors and 3D surround view. For a 5.4-metre vehicle that will spend time on highways and in tight urban settings, this tech is not optional - it's essential.

Colours and Finishes

India gets five metallic paint options:

High-tech Silver
Alpine Grey
Rock Crystal White
Obsidian Black
Sodalite Blue

Inside, Lugano leather is offered in beige or black. The beige clearly makes the cabin even larger than it is. Check it out in our detailed walk-around video.

Verdict

The following stands out for the 2026 V-Class ELWB:

Extra-long wheelbase only
AIRMATIC suspension as standard
Petrol and diesel options
Ventilated third row
Level 2 ADAS
AMG Line exterior

That's an intentionally curated specification list. The previous V-Class felt like a niche import. This one makes a statement. Mercedes-Benz India clearly wants this to be seen as a flagship people-mover, not a fleet special. It is priced competitively and undercuts the Lexus LM by a significant margin. So, the question becomes simple:

Do you want flamboyance, or do you prefer composure underpinned by serious engineering? For the first time, the V-Class is more than just the sensible alternative. It feels like the complete package!

Mercedes-Benz V-Class 2020 Full Spec

Price (Ex-Delhi)
Starts Rs 68.4 Lakhs

Displacement
1950cc

Transmission
Automatic

Max Power(ps)
165

Max Torque(Nm)
380

Mileage
-NA-

Toyota Vellfire 2020 Full Spec

Price (Ex-Delhi)
Starts Rs 79.5 Lakhs

Displacement
2494cc

Transmission
CVT

Max Power(ps)
117