MnO x –CeO 2 catalysts were prepared by a urea combustion method and their performance in the oxidation of ethanol, ethyl acetate and toluene was evaluated. XRD, XPS, H 2 -TPR and N 2 physisorption were employed in catalyst characterization. Mn 2+ and Mn 3+ ions are present in the catalysts. In ceria-rich materials, crystalline manganese oxide phases are absent and Mn ions are homogeneously distributed between the bulk and the surface suggesting incorporation of Mn ions in ceria structure. In Mn-rich materials, segregation of a Mn 3 O 4 phase takes place. The mixed oxides get reduced by H 2 at lower temperatures than the corresponding single oxides and Mn ions promote reduction of ceria. The surface area of MnO x –CeO 2 catalysts is larger than the one of single oxides prepared with the same method. The larger surface area of MnO x –CeO 2 catalysts counterbalances their smaller specific activity allowing complete conversion of the examined VOCs at lower temperatures compared to the single oxides.