Compared
One V-Class MPV or Two Saloons? Booking for Group Travel
Travelling as a group of five or six? Here's the real comparison between one V-Class MPV and splitting into multiple saloons, on cost, logistics, and comfort.
Published 2 Sep 2026Updated 7 Oct 20262 min read
Groups of five, six, or seven people booking a chauffeur usually default to assuming they need two cars, without ever pricing out the alternative — one Mercedes V-Class MPV, which comfortably seats up to seven with luggage. Both options work, but they're genuinely different experiences, not just different price tags.
The most obvious factor is whether your group wants to travel together. Splitting into two saloons means the group arrives in two waves, possibly minutes apart in traffic, and coordinating who's in which car becomes its own small logistics exercise — particularly awkward for a family with children who'd rather not be split up, or a work group who want to finish a conversation before arriving.
The Cost Comparison
Two saloons on the same route will usually cost more in total than one V-Class covering the same journey, since you're paying for two drivers and two vehicles rather than one. From Heathrow to central London, two Saloons start at about twice £65, where a single 8-seat Van for the same group and luggage starts at £95 — a meaningful saving, not a marginal one.
When Two Cars Actually Makes Sense
If your group is genuinely splitting up at different destinations, or you've got more than seven people, two vehicles is the right call rather than trying to force everyone into one. It's also worth considering if you specifically want an S-Class experience for part of the group — VIP guests, say — while the rest travel in a V-Class.
Luggage Is the Other Half of the Decision
A V-Class has genuinely generous luggage space alongside seven passengers, which two saloons can struggle to match once you've got a case each plus hand luggage. If your group is travel-heavy — a family heading to the airport with a fortnight's worth of luggage — one V-Class is very often both cheaper and less stressful than two saloons. Call 020 8742 2888 and tell us your group size and luggage and we'll recommend whichever setup actually works out better for you.
Questions, answered.
How many people and bags actually fit in a V-Class comfortably?
Up to seven passengers with a realistic amount of luggage — a full-size case each plus hand luggage generally fits without anyone's knees against a suitcase.
Is a V-Class less comfortable than two saloons?
Not really — it's a genuinely spacious MPV with individual captain's-style seating in most configurations, not a cramped van. Most groups find it more comfortable than splitting up.
Can we mix vehicle types in one booking, like an S-Class for two people and a V-Class for the rest?
Yes, that's a common request for events with VIP guests — tell us the split when booking and we'll coordinate both cars to arrive together.
Get your fixed price
Enter the journey and you see the full price before you book — airport fee, tolls and any supplement included.
Rather talk it through? Call 020 8742 2888, 24 hours a day.
P5 Chauffeurs is a TfL-licensed private hire operator (licence no. 11928). Every journey is pre-booked at a fixed price with a licensed driver in a licensed vehicle. Written by Faraz, Operations Manager, who runs our day-to-day operations.