Due in 2022, the last generation Mercedes-Benz V-Class was one of the largest luxury MPVs on sale in India. The current gen V-Class was unveiled in 2023 and has now arrived in India as it was launched in Mumbai yesterday. It is now the largest luxury MPV on sale in India and directly rivals Japanese offerings like the Toyota Vellfire and Lexus LM.
The company is launching the 2026 V-Class in only one extra long wheelbase configuration. To achieve attractive pricing, Mercedes-Benz is assembling it locally at its state-of-the-art facility in Pune. Hence its price of Rs 1.4 crore (ex-sh, introductory) is quite attractive. Here’s how it performs against its immediate rivals on paper.
2026 Mercedes V-Class vs rivals
We have to start with the prices as the 2026 Mercedes V-Class starts at Rs 1.4 crore (ex-sh, introductory). In comparison, the Vellfire is priced between Rs 1.2 – 1.2 crore (ex-sh), while the Lexus LM can go up to Rs 2.7 crore (ex-sh). Dimensionally, the V-Class dwarfs both the Vellfire and the LM as it is longer and wider, while having a significantly longer wheelbase.
However, since the Jeeps are taller and have larger 19-inch alloys, we wished Merc would do the same. But the V-Class offers fatter tyres. As far as powertrains are concerned, nothing can beat the V-Class. It offers a 2.0 liter diesel engine on top of its petrol mild hybrid unit, which will appeal to buyers outside Delhi NCR.
The Vellfire and LM only offer strong hybrid options, but they are not of the plug-in type. Only the Lexus LM offers an AWD layout, while the Merc is RWD only and the Toyota is FWD only. Both the V300 (petrol) and V300d (diesel) get air suspension and a 9GTronic torque converter automatic unit as standard, while the Vellfire and LM get an eCVT.
Features and creature comforts
All three luxury MPVs offer genre-specific common features like sliding power rear doors, powered tailgate, three-row seats, leather seats, ADAS, 360-cameras, large infotainment and instrumentation screens and other features. However, the differences are in details and execution.
Mercedes offers 6-seating as standard where the second row gets lounge seats and the third row gets bucket seats. These are on the railing and can be configured as per the user’s preference, which is a big plus. The Vellfire and LM offer third-row bench seats. Merc is the only company to offer ventilation in the third-row bucket seats as well. Lexus is the only company to offer a HUD.
Lexus offers a 23-speaker audio system by Mark Levinson, while Merc has a 15-speaker Burmester and the Vellfire has a 15-speaker JBL audio system. The lounge seats of all three luxury MPVs offer an ottoman calf support, ventilated seats, massage seats and other features. Only Lexus offers a private cabin that brings the next level of sophistication.
The Merc lags behind in second-row entertainment, while the Lexus leads with a 48-inch wide screen. Vellfire gets 14-inch units. The Vellfire’s ambient lighting has only 14 colors, while the Lexus and Merc have 64 colors. Lexus gets 14 airbags, while the V-Class gets 7 and the Vellfire gets 6. The V-Class and LM also get driver monitoring cameras, which the Vellfire does not have.
