It’s van time, associates.
Steven Ewing/Roadshow
Mercedes’ little Metris holds a particular place within the hearts of many Roadshow editors. We had one in our long-term fleet for a yr — which we inexplicably/lovingly named the Wu-Tang Van — and it was a trusty companion for a yr’s price of video manufacturing work.The Metris hasn’t modified all that a lot since we mentioned goodbye to the Wu-Tang Van, however I feel it is essential that we revisit our outdated long-termers now and again, simply to verify we aren’t simply trying again at them with rose-colored glasses. After a couple of days of hauling issues and working errands round Los Angeles, I’m reminded of all of the the reason why we appreciated our long-term Metris as a piece automobile. But I’m reminded of its tech-related weaknesses, too.
LikeHighly effective 2.0-liter engineMore cargo and payload than different small vansComfortable seatsLots of driver-assistance options
Don’t LikeMore costly than different small vansNo adaptive cruise controlLaughably outdated infotainment tech
You higher work The Metris is compact as vans go, nevertheless it’s not precisely small. It’s obtainable with 126-inch and 135-inch wheelbases, the longer of which is what I’ve received right here. Stem to stern, this Metris measures 211.4 inches, which is about 5 inches longer than an S-Class sedan. It’s barely wider than an S-Class and clearly taller, too, so diminutive because it is likely to be in contrast with one thing like a Sprinter, the Metris is hardly tiny. But on the similar time, the Metris is simple to maneuver. Its turning circle is about 2 ft smaller than that of an S-Class, so you’ll be able to simply whip it round tight metropolis streets and it is a cinch to park in crowded tons. The excessive seating place provides you a terrific view down the brief hood, and the low beltline means aspect visibility is ample, too. Be certain to order your Metris with rear home windows for the very best expertise.
You can purchase the Metris with aspect home windows and some rows of seats, however this one’s the Cargo Van spec, so there’s nothing behind the entrance chairs. It’s a clean canvas for employee bees: Mount cabinets or storage compartments, tie issues down to varied components of the physique. Like the again web page of a standardized take a look at, this area is deliberately left clean so you can also make the Metris your personal. There’s 199 cubic ft of area within the longer-wheelbase Metris, and with a payload capability of two,370 kilos, there is not a lot this van cannot haul. Even the shorter Metris is fairly stout: 183 cubic ft and a couple of,425 kilos of payload. Both vans may even tow 5,000 kilos. The Ford Transit Connect is the Metris’ closest competitor, however even the short-wheelbase Mercedes bests the long-wheelbase TC in all of the aforementioned areas. The Mercedes is costlier, sure, however you get what you pay for.
Loading the Metris is a breeze because of the low flooring and 270-degree swing-out rear doorways. You can get the Metris with an enormous hatchback, for those who want, however I feel most business patrons will respect the double-door versatility. Two issues to notice, although: You cannot open the appropriate door all the way in which if in case you have the aspect sliding door open. You additionally do not get a driver’s-side sliding door commonplace, so be sure so as to add that on if you’d like entry to the cargo maintain from either side.
Pretty peppy No matter the configuration, Mercedes provides the Metris with a 2.0-liter turbo I4 engine, producing 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. That’s loads of energy — far more than Ford provides within the Transit Connect, I ought to add — and the Metris is surprisingly sprightly round city, particularly unloaded. The van makes use of rear-wheel drive, and I’ll admit it is fairly straightforward to get the again finish to step out round a nook for those who goose the throttle, not that I’d ever do such a factor. Generally talking, the Metris drives… like a van. The steering is mild, the brakes are superb. The suspension is properly tuned to maintain the Metris comfy if you’re driving round with nothing within the again, so it isn’t crashy like a Transit Connect or, worse, a Ram ProMaster City. More importantly, the engine’s torque comes on sturdy at 1,250 rpm, that means the seven-speed computerized transmission would not must rev too excessive to maintain the Metris buzzing round city. That helps with total gasoline effectivity, too; the EPA says the 2020 Metris ought to return 21 miles per gallon within the metropolis, 24 mpg freeway and 22 mpg mixed. The Transit Connect is a little more environment friendly, however bear in mind, it is also smaller. Cloth seat design? Rad. Tiny infotainment display screen and outdated tech? Not rad.
Mercedes-Benz
Good tech, unhealthy tech The Metris has a reasonably good roster of driver-assistance tech. You get a trailer brake controller, load-adaptive stability management, hill-start help and a rearview digicam commonplace. (I point out the rearview digicam as a result of, whereas this characteristic is federally mandated for all passenger automobiles, business automobiles are exempt.) Blind-spot monitoring, computerized emergency braking, lane-keeping help and energetic parking help are all obtainable. Only factor lacking is adaptive cruise management, actually. Unfortunately, the Metris’ cabin tech is fairly unhealthy. There’s a tiny, 5.8-inch display screen working a stripped-down model of Mercedes’ decade-old COMAND system, with solely a rudimentary navigation interface in-built. Apple CarPlay or Android Auto? Nope. Wi-Fi? Nah. This infotainment difficulty is especially offensive contemplating Mercedes-Benz provides among the greatest multimedia tech on the earth with its new MBUX interface. The Sprinter van will get this strong tech suite, and it is a rattling disgrace the Metris would not provide one thing higher. The new V-Class offered in Europe appears to be like to have a giant tech improve, so I’m hopeful this’ll trickle over to the US within the type of an up to date Metris. There’s 199 cubic ft of area again right here. Bring every little thing!
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes high quality, Mercedes pricing The 2020 Metris begins at $28,375 for a base Worker Cargo Van, together with $1,195 for supply, and stretches as excessive as $36,775 for the Passenger Van. In the case of this Metris Cargo Van, it begins at $32,585 together with vacation spot, and including issues like 17-inch wheels, tinted rear home windows, heated seats and roof rails brings the ultimate worth to a cool $39,000. Mercedes-Benz has loads of upfitting companions that may enable you to make your work van the exact instrument for the job, and for those who’re all about play as a substitute of labor, the brand new Metris Weekender appears to be like like a pleasant companion for tenting journeys. Commercial patrons on a finances will seemingly need to try the Ford Transit Connect or Ram ProMaster City, as each are inexpensive. But bear in mind, they’re smaller and slower and might’t haul as a lot, and there is one thing to be mentioned on your staff displaying as much as job websites in a Mercedes-Benz as a substitute of a Ford or Ram. The added value of the Metris is basically price it in contrast with different small vans, and as we famous in our long-term wrap-up, this Mercedes is one infotainment improve from being an ideal work van.