Updated Mercedes-Benz V-Class unveiled for India

Mercedes-Benz V-Class is officially back in India. Mercedes-Benz is positioning its flagship luxury MPV as a serious rival to the Toyota Vellfire and Lexus LM with substantial upgrades, added luxury features, and AMG Line styling as standard. The V-Class returns in Extra Long Wheelbase form with a length of 5370mm, making it the longest car in its segment. 

To add a little backstory, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen the V-Class in India. But it didn’t really make the dent that it should have last time. While the space was generous, the cabin didn’t feel indulgent enough for the price, and Mercedes eventually pulled the plug. However, times have changed. Indians have shown love to different body styles – even pickup trucks have found takers. In the luxury MPV segment, the Vellfire and LM have shown that there is strong demand, provided it’s got a high luxury quotient. The older V-Class was a little too early and a little too bare bones. It's fitting then for Mercedes to give the V-Class another go in India, but only after the necessary upgrades.

Mercedes-Benz V-Class exterior

Talking about the exterior might be futile, but it deserves attention. The 2026 V-Class in India is equipped with the AMG Line kit, moving further away from its commercial roots. The front end now is more modern – sculpted air dams, a star-pattern grille, and an illuminated LED strip (almost like the new S-Class). Headlamps are the Multibeam LEDs, each with 84 individual LEDs. The wheels are 19-inch, and sport multi-spoke rims instead of the AMG rims – a good departure, I feel, as multi-spoke wheels sport the character much better. The electric sliding doors can be operated from the key, the driver’s seat, or directly from the handles. The powered tailgate, with its split-opening function, is a good addition. India will only get the ‘Extra Long Wheelbase’ version with a wheelbase of 3430mm and a length of 5370mm. Interestingly, this was sold in India the last time around but had fewer takers than the (shorter) long wheelbase version. In comparison, both the Vellfire and the LM have a 3000mm wheelbase, with the Vellfire being 5005mm long, and the LM being 5125mm long – the new V-Class is the new benchmark when it comes to size.

Mercedes-Benz V-Class interior

Getting inside, the floor isn’t too high, but you still get side steps built into the floor. As expected, the kneeroom is massive inside. There is simply an abundance of space in every direction. As standard, you get six seats with the rear having two first-class seats and two regular captain seats. The addition of first-class seats is important, as they were sorely missed the first time around. Mercedes seems to have learned, and after China, India is the only market to get them. These seats have ventilation, heating, offer massage function, extendable calf supports, deployable cupholders and wireless charging. The captain seats come with ventilation and heating, but don’t get massaging or calf support. What I did find odd was that there's no sunroof for the rear passengers, and you also do not get any rear seat entertainment screens. The interior can be had in either beige or black themes. 

The interior also gets manual sun blinds and glasses with a 30 per cent tint, keeping the cabin cool and maintaining privacy. If you are wondering about the legality, folks from the brand claim it’s all under the law. Ambient lighting with 64 colour options wraps the interior in a soft glow that adds to the vibe.

One of the most practical aspects is that the seats are on rails and can be interchanged according to how you like. Whether you want both rear rows to face each other for a private meeting, or maybe you want more room by removing a row. Buyers can choose their seating configuration at the dealership, with either beige or black theme, and in the future, if need be, they can visit the dealership and even get the configuration changed. A process, Merc claims, won’t take more than two hours.

If you do feel like driving, the dashboard sports familiar Mercedes architecture with twin 12.3-inch screens and a familiar steering wheel and control interface from the brand’s passenger cars of the last generation. The front seats offer ventilation, heating and massage as well. Safety and ADAS features are exactly what you should expect from a modern Mercedes. The V-Class features seven airbags, including side window airbags extending from the A to D pillars, a 360-degree camera, blind spot assist, lane assist, and adaptive cruise control operational in even start-stop traffic. It even has a driver monitoring camera to ensure your chauffeur isn’t too drowsy.

Mercedes-Benz V-Class powertrain and chassis

Engine options include two 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines. The diesel produces 233bhp and a substantial 500Nm, while the petrol gives out 228bhp and is supplemented by a hybrid system adding 20bhp. Both are paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Perhaps the more useful highlight is the standard air suspension. That’s offered with both powertrains – an addition that the brand claims makes India the first market to receive this configuration. The system automatically lowers the vehicle at higher speeds for improved stability and can raise it by 25mm when additional clearance is needed.

Why the Mercedes-Benz V-Class is more relevant now

The larger conversation, however, is not about specifications. It is about relevance. And I have a feeling that the V-Class will do well this time around. If you like being driven around, you would have realised that SUVs – however powerful or imposing – do eventually reveal their limitations. Their second rows rarely match the sense of openness or the lounge-like flexibility that a vehicle like this can provide. Not to mention, the second rows are rarely the most comfortable. The Lexus LM and the Toyota Vellfire have already demonstrated that ultra-luxury vans can please the rich and powerful. The V-Class is set to slot between them and will be a competitor from a brand that the one percenters of India already adore.

Mercedes-Benz V-Class price

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz V-Class returns to India better equipped, more luxurious and more relevant than before. With upgraded first-class seating, air suspension as standard, sharper styling and segment-leading dimensions, it directly addresses the weaknesses of its predecessor. For buyers who prioritise rear-seat comfort, the V-Class offers a limousine-like experience. Prices are set to be announced in the coming days, and we expect the V-Class to be priced around the ₹1.8 crore mark rivaling the Lexus LM and Toyota Vellfire.