Front-wheel drive cars (Mercedes Vito) have better traction on slippery roads and when climbing hills, better fuel economy, and are less expensive to purchase. On the disadvantage side, FWD cars usually have less towing capacity, poorer acceleration and harder handling. Rear-wheel drive cars (Toyota Hiace) have better handling on dry roads, better acceleration, more even weight distribution and more fun to drive. RWD is also better for towing large loads. The cons of rear-wheel drive are less interior and trunk space and more difficulty maneuvering in wet and snowy conditions.
Engines
Average engine lifespan:
630'000 km
700'000 km
Engine resource depends largely on regular maintenance and the quality of the oils and fuels used, but under equal conditions the average life of a Toyota Hiace engine could be longer.
Engine production duration:
8 years
15 years
Engine spread:
Installed on at least 2 other car models, including Mercedes E klase, Mercedes ML
Used only for this car
In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts.
Hydraulic tappets:
yes
no
The Mercedes Vito engine has hydraulic tappets (lifters), providing quieter operation and no need for periodic adjustment, but they are more complex in design and can cause serious engine damage in case of failure.
Dimensions
Length:
4.66 m
4.69 m
Width:
1.88 m
1.69 m
Height:
1.84 m
1.95 m
Mercedes Vito is 3 cm shorter than the Toyota Hiace, 19 cm wider, while the height of Mercedes Vito is 11 cm lower.