"New Vito's launch has moved the game forward by a huge leap," says Matt Dale, ALD's LCV operations manager.
"Previously, the main rivals in this sector were all very similar to each other, but Mercedes-Benz has come up with a product that really stands out against the competition."
Notable, he says, is the engine range – New Vito is the first in its sector to offer Euro 6 – as well as the options of front- or rear-wheel drive models.
The van was launched earlier this year at the CV Show. It comes in three lengths and three gross weights, available as either a panel van, a crew van with second row of seats, or a Tourer which carries a driver and up to eight passengers.
Engine options are a 1.6-litre or 2.1-litre diesel, producing from 88bhp to 190bhp, and driving through six-speed manual or 7GTronic Plus seven-speed automatic transmissions.
As with all Mercedes vans, the New Vito comes with MobiloVan as standard – free roadside assistance across Europe for 30 years.
Dale says the vehicle has also "raised the bar" with comfort and refinement, and its extensive safety features. "Because it has such strengths across so many fronts, we also expect it to be even more competitive in terms of residual value than the outgoing model," he adds.
Dale (left) is pictured with Mark Hamilton, Mercedes UK leasing manager.