Euro answer to Zeekr's lavish family car: 2026 Mercedes-Benz VLE unveiled overseas as electric people mover rival to tackle BYD's Denza D9, Hyundai Staria Electric, XPeng X9 & Zeekr 009

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its VLE luxury people mover, as it seeks to fight back against Chinese rivals in the segment.

Several major Chinese brands have recently unveiled their next-generation luxury people movers, some of which will end up in Australia.

Read More About Mercedes-Benz

• Can this end Australia's SUV obsession? Denza D9 people-mover promises 'first-class comfort' in battle with Zeekr 009, GAC M8, XPeng X9 and Lexus LM
• Kia Carnival chaser's big move revealed
• Cheaper Chinese family EV arrives!

The Zeekr 009 has paved the way for more luxury electric people movers to enter the Aussie market, with the trend catching on to some of the segment favourites.

An electric version of the Hyundai Staria is on the cards for Australia, as it looks to hunt down the runaway leader of the segment, the petrol and hybrid-powered Kia Carnival.

Mercedes-Benz has not provided a firm arrival date for the car, but it is featured on the brand's Australian website, which could indicate the people mover is under consideration.

A spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz Australia said the VLE is yet to be confirmed for a domestic launch.

Considering the price of its rivals, expect a price tag well north of $100K.

The brand already offers its diesel V-Class and electric EQV and eVito Tourer people movers Down Under.

Like many of these people movers, the VLE gets the latest in lavish luxury equipment.

It will come in six- and eight-seat configurations, with electric seat adjustability.

There is a 14.0-inch central touchscreen display, along with a 14.0-inch front passenger display and 10.25-inch digital driver display.

To add to the glamour, rear passengers get a retractable 31.3-inch screen, which can be used to stream videos or play computer games.

There will be two electric motor set-ups available on the VLE.

The single-motor variant produces 203kW and is rear-wheel drive, while the dual-motor all-wheel-drive version packs 300kW, shifting the vehicle from 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds.

The 115kWh battery offers a driving range of more than 700km, according to the WLTP testing cycle.

Cheaper grades of the VLE will launch next year, featuring an 80kWh battery.

The VLE is built on an 800-volt platform and is capable of charging at 320kW, giving it snappy recharge times, with 355km of driving range able to be added in 15 minutes.

According to Mercedes, the people mover has a braked towing capacity of 2.5 tonnes.