This is the best midsize work van period. I have had mine for 3 years, 120,0000 mile and average 24 combined mph. It quick, powerful, easy to clean, and the payload capacity is huge. I often tow a small trailer too if traveling out of town with work. Towing obviously takes a big hit on MPG but it does it well if needed. I just installed a mini fridge center console between the front seats to keep water and lunch cool year round. It’s my mobile office. I just can’t say enough good things about it. Paid $33k new for it.
Best Metris Review I've seen yet! Pact with facts and revelant comparisons. I'm a cabinetmaker so the 4 x 8 capability was the starting point in my research for a new van. I've owned both the Areostar and the Astro, neither of which you can buy new anymore. When I saw the Metris all I needed was the right deal. 8 months driving it now and I love it! An impressive vehicle!
Doug DeMuro: "It's a bad minivan" Everyone: "It doesn't compete with normal minivans" Alex: "It competes with the transit connect and Promaster City." Doug: "It's a bad minivan"
Just got a brand new merits for my work van 2 weeks ago,coming from a NV200 this van is great . The only downside is that it doesn't have a sliding door on the drivers side. 91 octane is recommended,navi isnt worth it....inputting the address is a pain with the rubber joystick and I have to toggle my bluetooth on and off to sync it with the radio. The nicer features is that it has heated seats,cockpit is well sorted and of good quaity,the van has paddle shifters so you can click it down a gear if you want to pass or get into boost,has the fuel saving feature that shuts the engine off at stoplights. Ride quality is great for a van,I like the handling. The rear doors dont stay open and slam me in the ass if the wind kicks up....watch your fingers.
You should add the fact that this is the largest "cargo" van that will fit in the shorter urban parking garages. The full size vans won't fit in a 6'8" garage that I encounter often. And as you've pointed out, none of the "city" vans will hold a full sheet of material. For me the choice is either the Metris or find an old Dodge Ram SWB 1500 van from the early 2000's. In some ways the 1500 is actually more appealing!
Alex talks about fitting bikes in the Metris cargo. I can also tell viewers that 2 motocross motorcycles will fit easily in the back of the Metris and 3 will fit with a little effort.
Wow! Great review, Alex! I can always count on you to teach me something new about the automotive world! The Sprinter is definitely an interesting vehicle in the U.S., and honestly (almost) competes in a class of it's own. Also, I really enjoyed that brief history lesson! From one car reviewer to another: Keep up the great work, Alex! 👍🏽
Maintenance is a killer. I own a Metris as a regional I/C in New England. $500 plus tax for transmission fluid exchange and they make it so the dealer has to do it. Coolant exchange is almost as expensive. I put 185,000 miles on the van since January 2019. So far the Alternator has failed once. The pulley tensioner has failed twice and the brakes and rotors replaced. All for very expensive repair bills. Fuel is another issue. You have to use 91 which is .35 cents plus more a gallon.
The side mirrors are tiny. I just test drove one of these, 2017 I think, and I found the passenger side blind spot pretty scary. There's a convex mirror on that tiny door mirror but it's very hard to see what's happening in the right-hand lane. Dunno if this is something you can get used to or if there's a third-party solution.
You shouldn't lie. You didn't open the other door because not because they'd all roll out...? ...but because "they" weren't there. You're above that Alex, and great review as always.
Dudes, I live and breathe vans. It's my thing. If this thing has the piss poor reliability/repair costs of the Sprinter, run away from it. For my money, there are configurations of the full sized Promaster and Transit that do what the Metris does at a lower price, with better reliability. Consider the rare but available Promaster low roof 1500. For thousands less, you get 4x8, better payload, fwd winter traction, better towing, etc. If you want, get the diesel and you'll crest 30mpg. Or, if you are feeling zany, get a low roof swb Transit with the Ecoboost - you'll enjoy a 170ft/lb bump over the Metris which will result in massive smokey burnouts. If you want something dirt simple, get the Nissan 2500 or 3500. You'll tow and haul more and save something like 10 grand. V8 if you want it. If you want the ultimate in durability, they still make the Savannah full sized vans. In fact, they still make the Ford Econoline, though it's mainly chassis cabs. Seems to me the Metris has nothing going for it except the badge on the hood, and all that badge really means is ripoff parts prices, bad engineering, and high cost of ownership. Yes...bad engineering; a hallmark of Mercedes since 1888!
I agree about questionable Merc reliability. Hopefully, it will be more reliable than the diesel in the Sprinter (though it'd be difficult to have worse reliability, LOL). Ram diesel is on hold, possibly indefinitely. FCA reliability might be an issue as well. Price? Metris starts @ $26K, NV@ $27+K, Promaster @ $30K, Transit @31+K. Unless Ram and Ford are throwing thousands on the hood (they might be, I dunno), Metris is cheaper. Compact city vans are out for me, i need more towing capacity. I love the size of the Metris, absolutely perfect for my needs, but until Metris reliability is proven here, I'd go for the Transit.
N Pooch You are correct on most points. I suspect if you configure the Metris, it goes way up, way quickly. The Transit and Promaster big vans not so much. And I suspect the others are much more willing to haggle than the Benz dealer, and much more likely to have lower trim levels on the lot. But I wholly agree; if the Sprinter is an indication of MB reliability then steer clear of Metris. For what it's worth, I own 2 2014 Promasters, both with 280k each (we drive alot). While not perfect, they are reasonably bulletproof. They also overdeliver in fuel economy - 20mpg is fairly common, vs 17 in the N/A transit and even lower in the Ecoboost transit. If you can still find a Dodge Caravan C/V, you should see higher than the Metris's 24mpg, but you won't be able to tow much.
Glad GM still offers the Chevy Express and GMC Savanna - the Express is one of the most reliable vans I've ever had. Fairly fun to drive and bouncy too. Though I did prefer the handling characteristics and styling cues of the '03-'07 generation Ford Econoline a little more.
elizbar archvadze everyone is different. In commercial applications like mine 500k is about 280,000 miles. That's 3 years per how much we drive. Even so, I suspect yours havent been trouble free miles. Also, Euro safety system and emissions are somewhat below US spec. Emissions systems failures are one of the main thibgs that makes the Sprinters so bad, along with rust, transmissions, and parts prices. But hey, if yours is good, good for you. Do you fix it yourself?
This van is having trouble gaining traction in our Canadian market. I am considering one and will take one for a test drive in a few weeks. In one of the earlier comments someone has mentioned the questionable reliability of the Sprinter but I have not heard of any reliability issues. Just a lot of high mileage put on Sprinters. The Promaster cargo van is a good competitor as well but I am always surprised at the low expectations of fuel economy people have for cargo vans. Buyers should expect no less than 10liters/ 100 km, with the capability of pulling 2350 - 3000 kg. The fuel economy expectations should be for when the van is loaded with tools and of course when pulling reasonable expectations should apply. That's why I don't get how GM is keeping their vans alive. Their Fuel management system on their vans from what I can tell does not deliver the fuel economy that should be expected from what I believe is a good and promising technology of their AFM system. WE shall see what comes in 2018.
Ram ProMaster ... just another European made van which got rebadged to sell on the American market :D You mentioned the Sprinter to be Mercedes' full size van ... actually that was the Vario, which was discontinued in 2013 but which is still popular. The Sprinter is rather the medium size van from Mercedes
There was an awful lot of background noise during your PiP comparison segment. Might want to look at picking up some fabric partition walls to act as sound isolation if that's going to become a common occurrence. I can see the Metris being very popular with people that participate in dog events. Dog crates take up a lot of space. The Astro and Aerostar were very popular among the dog even people.
Given that the Chevy Astro / GMC Safari Cargo was discontinued in 2005, which was a mid size cargo that was very very popular with tradesmen, this van should do well. I just cannot understand why GM never continued Astro or redesigned it. The size was similar to this metris and was very reliable. I owned 5 Astro cargo vans between 1986 and 2005. Today, Gm, dodge and Nissan need to build a mid size again in my opinion. They are building vans that are either too large or too small right now for a lot of contractors!! Wake up Manufactures! I am seriously looking at this metris.
I read somewhere, and I don't remember where exactly so take this with a grain of salt, but Mercedes considered that R-Class thing they used to sell to be a luxury minivan, and when it flopped hard they took the wrong lesson from it. Instead of thinking, "America doesn't like overpriced weird things that don't really have a niche" they think, "America doesn't want a luxury Mercedes-Benz minivan"; thusly they won't sell the V-Class here because they think there's no market for it, because the R-Class whatever was about as popular as coronavirus.
Love your channel Alex. Do you have a recommendation for a AWD or 4x4 cargo van in the US? My friend is looking to replace a AWD Chevy Astro and it looks like it's quite difficult to find a AWD cargo van nowadays. Thanks in advance.
+Azzagard your only factory option is a full size Mercedes sprinter. The Toyota Sienna is AWD but there is no cargo version. There are aftermarket conversions available for the Ford and Nissan vans
@11:05 'Charge' meter in multifunction display? There's a hybrid version of this available somewhere? I wonder if that will eventually make it here? Also, love the coffee cup indicator. Why, yes, I think I will have a cup...
Is the 7/10 front seat score based on the crummy work truck version? Hard to imagine that wouldn't offer a more luxurious version. I remember old US vans where you could just take out seat rows and put them in different places. They were heavy though.
Mercedes offers a Driver Comfort Package with lumbar support and a "Comfort Seat" for both driver and passenger for $500±. Being that Alex's van was pretty much stripped; didn't have the upgraded gauges, the leather wheel, the wide open rear doors, painted bumpers, and so forth, I think it's likely he didn't have the good seats either. So 7/10 isn't bad.
From the factory, not that I am aware of. However, you can get a conversion for the Nissan NV or Transit. I would not be surprised if a conversion is offered for the Metris in time.
I'm a couple of years late, but, I just wanted to mention that GM made a factory AWD version of the Express/Savanna through 2014; if you're willing to buy pre-owned. Not even a thing when this video was made or when OP asked their question but I figure I'd mention it; late in the 2020 model year the Chrysler Pacifica vans are finally supposed to get an AWD option, a modified version of the AWD set-up under the Jeep Cherokee. The 2021 models of the big Chrysler will have much better looking styling front and rear as well, which would be the one to get if you're smitten with the Pacifica for other reasons.
Does anyone know if a mountain bike will fit in the rear behind the the 2nd row with the 3rd row removed. standing up and with both wheels still attached?
I wish they made VW vans in the US like they do in Europe. My 2003 VW Eurovan could beat most of the competition today base on cargo and passenger room and comfort! Plus get the same fuel economy for slightly larger van! US market is a joke to most market around world!
Not a huge fan of unions, but which class of American made vehicles are the best selling and best performing? Answer: Trucks. Meanwhile, pickups have lower total costs of ownership than comparably priced sedans or SUVs. They hold their value very well. Fair trade and free trade are quite different things. When they allow free markets in their economies for US products, then we can do the same for theirs. Till then, tariffs even the playing field.
@Kim Horton, Recon Campers does maybe the closest thing to the VW California camper conversion in a mini. They use the Nissan NV 200 van. They have some UA-cam videos. I believe the company is based in southern California.
Sad..This chicken tax does not apply any longer considering the global market that the U.S. auto makers are now pursuing! My idea of the perfect metris/V class would include the 2.1 liter diesel w/4matic and 7 speed! Then they would dominate this class!
Mercedes Please bring The V class to America, Some of us want something more luxurious than a Honda Odyssey and a Toyota Sienna and some people find the GLS still a little too small for their family needs.
No steering wheel controls??? Your being screwed... In Europe even the entry level Vito 1.6 diesel front wheel drive panel van has full steering controls.
Too shame, American's Toyota market doesn't provide the japanese minivans to compete with others. Its basically buying a 1970's minivans but its from Mercedes.
Kip Amore the ford ranger left America when they closed that factory. they still sell them globally and they are built outside the country, Thailand, South Africa and a few other places, you can buy one in Canada and Mexico and importing is not an option.
The Ranger continued abroad, with models built in South Africa and Thailand, mostly to do battle with the Toyota Hilux. It's actually a pretty great truck. But Ford won't bring it stateside because it's large for a compact truck and they worry about cannibalizing F-150 sales.
You state a lot of numbers except the most important. The cost of routine maintenance. Oil changes, brake service, shock replacement. I am sure the Metris costs are significantly higher than the other models you compared to. If the Metris is anything like other Mercedes models I would not touch it, especially since it lacks features, ridiculous seating and higher purchase price. That black bumper??? Ugly.
The Metris, also know as; "The calculator", "The Escape Room", "The Gym", "The Chick Magnet" etc, is built in a world full of unhealthy, pessimistic, and low IQ people. This results in a lack of decent and or honest reviews in favour of this life changing car. Owning a Mercedes Benz Metris is all you need to remain happy and healthy in life. As Dr. Merzenich explains, "your brain is designed and constructed to be stimulated and challenged". If you don't use your brain you lose it! That's why Mercedes strategically made the car so difficult to use. Not only is it keeping our brains stimulated at all times, but its putting the victim under circumstances where teamwork is a key component of breaking out of the puzzling escape room. This not only improves social skills, but it forms deeper relationships with those who are trapped together. Whether or not the Metris pulls the ladies, is not a question. It's a fact. The engineers at Mercedes knew this all too well, that's why they used their many years of experience to implement awrkward, heavy seats. You don't need a gym membership to get in good shape, all you need is to attempt to get to the back seat of a Metris, workout complete. The heavy seats get the blood moving to the muscles giving the user a pump before communicating with any potential partners. Ignorant car reviewers complain that the Metris was poorly built and as a result, the car seats rattle in the back creating noise. They couldn't be more wrong. The rattling sound is not a byproduct of a poorly engineered automobile, but instead a manifestation of forward planning by the caring engineers of Mercedes Benz. A new study from Harvard indicates that people who have slept for fewer than seven of the past 24 hours have higher odds of being involved in and responsible for car crashes. The risk is greatest for drivers who have slept fewer than four hours. An estimated seven percent of all motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. and 16 percent of fatal crashes involve driver drowsiness. The genius engineers knew that Metris owners won't be getting much sleep from all the action they'll be getting from the ladies after owning one. To compensate for this loss of sleep, they designed the seats to rattle, preventing the driver from sleeping at the wheel. In conclusion, Mercedes Benz only creates "The best or nothing". I didn't even mention how to Metris has a positive effect on climate change, or how its capped at a low speed to prevent speeding fines. Doubt your doubts before you doubt the Metris.
cargo version is okay, but the passenger version is a junk. i was very disappointed checking it out in person. none of the back windows open btw.. a poor choice for family.
Metris will be a failure. In fact already a failure. Read reasons 1- cost. 2- wheelbase size. If I choose 139" metris, then I will prefer sprinter 144 high roof or 148 transit high roof, same price more cargo. 3- turning radius. Not much difference if compared to transit and sprinter. 4- ford transit available in awd version as well with gas engine. Now u ask Mercedes why hell on earth they introduced this design to north America, it is good seller in Europe but here game is different all d way.
Absolute JUNK... A Mercedes with few options, and seats that DON'T even fold down!!! A Standard on ANY Minivan. You have to take a 3 person bench seat out to open up the cargo area... Good Luck with that if you have back problems. And if you don't have back problems before, you will after removing the seats ! Oh yea.. it has a 7 speed trans... like that makes ANY Difference when there''s not enough power.
The Vito / Metris is less meant to service private use and families but rather serve as commercial vehicle (e.g. for construction companies and contractors, airport parking services, schools etc), and in the lowest range of option of course offer a rather cheap version of it. Actually the Metris is the most powerful version of the Vito, however with a top speed of 100 mph it's the 2nd slowest Vito. The slowest one will do 98 mph and does so with only 88 hp compared to the Metris' 208 hp; The fastest ones will do 128 mph with 190 hp ... se power itself isn't really relevant for the speed
We 💖 Mercedes! This is a *POS!* 🤨 and I'm going by the "V" class "luxury" model. Seriously embarrassing Mercedes product and completely opposite of the otherwise reasonably justified advertisement claims they make regarding the car model line up.
This is the best midsize work van period. I have had mine for 3 years, 120,0000 mile and average 24 combined mph. It quick, powerful, easy to clean, and the payload capacity is huge. I often tow a small trailer too if traveling out of town with work. Towing obviously takes a big hit on MPG but it does it well if needed. I just installed a mini fridge center console between the front seats to keep water and lunch cool year round. It’s my mobile office. I just can’t say enough good things about it. Paid $33k new for it.
Just needs a 2” lift.
Best Metris Review I've seen yet! Pact with facts and revelant comparisons. I'm a cabinetmaker so the 4 x 8 capability was the starting point in my research for a new van. I've owned both the Areostar and the Astro, neither of which you can buy new anymore. When I saw the Metris all I needed was the right deal. 8 months driving it now and I love it! An impressive vehicle!
Alex is a true automotive genius. No other journalist shares this much knowledge in their reviews.
Doug DeMuro: "It's a bad minivan"
Everyone: "It doesn't compete with normal minivans"
Alex: "It competes with the transit connect and Promaster City."
Doug: "It's a bad minivan"
Your're consistently one of the best reviewers. Always objective and unbiased. Thank you!
...as opposed to...? Doug? ;)
Just got a brand new merits for my work van 2 weeks ago,coming from a NV200 this van is great . The only downside is that it doesn't have a sliding door on the drivers side. 91 octane is recommended,navi isnt worth it....inputting the address is a pain with the rubber joystick and I have to toggle my bluetooth on and off to sync it with the radio. The nicer features is that it has heated seats,cockpit is well sorted and of good quaity,the van has paddle shifters so you can click it down a gear if you want to pass or get into boost,has the fuel saving feature that shuts the engine off at stoplights. Ride quality is great for a van,I like the handling. The rear doors dont stay open and slam me in the ass if the wind kicks up....watch your fingers.
Alex: Thank you for finally reviewing the Metris. I got my 2016 Cargo Metris in Feb 2016 and I love it.
Just wondering if you still love it I thinking to buy one
@@sauliusvausha4964 Yes I do.
The BEST car reviews on UA-cam! Awesome work Alex!
Best reviewer ive come across.
Thank you.
You should add the fact that this is the largest "cargo" van that will fit in the shorter urban parking garages. The full size vans won't fit in a 6'8" garage that I encounter often. And as you've pointed out, none of the "city" vans will hold a full sheet of material. For me the choice is either the Metris or find an old Dodge Ram SWB 1500 van from the early 2000's. In some ways the 1500 is actually more appealing!
I'm surprised that none of these small vans seem to offer AWD. Excellent review on that note! :)
Alex talks about fitting bikes in the Metris cargo. I can also tell viewers that 2 motocross motorcycles will fit easily in the back of the Metris and 3 will fit with a little effort.
Wow! Great review, Alex! I can always count on you to teach me something new about the automotive world!
The Sprinter is definitely an interesting vehicle in the U.S., and honestly (almost) competes in a class of it's own. Also, I really enjoyed that brief history lesson! From one car reviewer to another: Keep up the great work, Alex! 👍🏽
Maintenance is a killer. I own a Metris as a regional I/C in New England. $500 plus tax for transmission fluid exchange and they make it so the dealer has to do it. Coolant exchange is almost as expensive. I put 185,000 miles on the van since January 2019. So far the Alternator has failed once. The pulley tensioner has failed twice and the brakes and rotors replaced. All for very expensive repair bills. Fuel is another issue. You have to use 91 which is .35 cents plus more a gallon.
I drove Safaris over 200K miles and never exchanged trans fluid or coolant.
Great presentation! Thoroughly enjoyable!
The side mirrors are tiny. I just test drove one of these, 2017 I think, and I found the passenger side blind spot pretty scary. There's a convex mirror on that tiny door mirror but it's very hard to see what's happening in the right-hand lane. Dunno if this is something you can get used to or if there's a third-party solution.
The outside mirrors definitely need work!
The perfect rideshare vehicle, period. I might get a fleet of these if ever!
You shouldn't lie. You didn't open the other door because not because they'd all roll out...? ...but because "they" weren't there. You're above that Alex, and great review as always.
It has the paddle shifters for when you are towing or carrying heavy loads so that you can keep it in a lower gear if you need to.
The V-class is fast becoming a large portion of the taxi fleet here in Sweden
Can’t wait for the Amg package
Dudes, I live and breathe vans. It's my thing. If this thing has the piss poor reliability/repair costs of the Sprinter, run away from it. For my money, there are configurations of the full sized Promaster and Transit that do what the Metris does at a lower price, with better reliability. Consider the rare but available Promaster low roof 1500. For thousands less, you get 4x8, better payload, fwd winter traction, better towing, etc. If you want, get the diesel and you'll crest 30mpg. Or, if you are feeling zany, get a low roof swb Transit with the Ecoboost - you'll enjoy a 170ft/lb bump over the Metris which will result in massive smokey burnouts. If you want something dirt simple, get the Nissan 2500 or 3500. You'll tow and haul more and save something like 10 grand. V8 if you want it. If you want the ultimate in durability, they still make the Savannah full sized vans. In fact, they still make the Ford Econoline, though it's mainly chassis cabs. Seems to me the Metris has nothing going for it except the badge on the hood, and all that badge really means is ripoff parts prices, bad engineering, and high cost of ownership. Yes...bad engineering; a hallmark of Mercedes since 1888!
I agree about questionable Merc reliability. Hopefully, it will be more reliable than the diesel in the Sprinter (though it'd be difficult to have worse reliability, LOL). Ram diesel is on hold, possibly indefinitely. FCA reliability might be an issue as well. Price? Metris starts @ $26K, NV@ $27+K, Promaster @ $30K, Transit @31+K. Unless Ram and Ford are throwing thousands on the hood (they might be, I dunno), Metris is cheaper. Compact city vans are out for me, i need more towing capacity. I love the size of the Metris, absolutely perfect for my needs, but until Metris reliability is proven here, I'd go for the Transit.
N Pooch You are correct on most points. I suspect if you configure the Metris, it goes way up, way quickly. The Transit and Promaster big vans not so much. And I suspect the others are much more willing to haggle than the Benz dealer, and much more likely to have lower trim levels on the lot. But I wholly agree; if the Sprinter is an indication of MB reliability then steer clear of Metris. For what it's worth, I own 2 2014 Promasters, both with 280k each (we drive alot). While not perfect, they are reasonably bulletproof. They also overdeliver in fuel economy - 20mpg is fairly common, vs 17 in the N/A transit and even lower in the Ecoboost transit. If you can still find a Dodge Caravan C/V, you should see higher than the Metris's 24mpg, but you won't be able to tow much.
Glad GM still offers the Chevy Express and GMC Savanna - the Express is one of the most reliable vans I've ever had. Fairly fun to drive and bouncy too. Though I did prefer the handling characteristics and styling cues of the '03-'07 generation Ford Econoline a little more.
wtf my v class has 500k on odometer, its allmost same as metris just lityle bit luxurious
elizbar archvadze everyone is different. In commercial applications like mine 500k is about 280,000 miles. That's 3 years per how much we drive. Even so, I suspect yours havent been trouble free miles. Also, Euro safety system and emissions are somewhat below US spec. Emissions systems failures are one of the main thibgs that makes the Sprinters so bad, along with rust, transmissions, and parts prices. But hey, if yours is good, good for you. Do you fix it yourself?
This van is having trouble gaining traction in our Canadian market. I am considering one and will take one for a test drive in a few weeks. In one of the earlier comments someone has mentioned the questionable reliability of the Sprinter but I have not heard of any reliability issues. Just a lot of high mileage put on Sprinters. The Promaster cargo van is a good competitor as well but I am always surprised at the low expectations of fuel economy people have for cargo vans. Buyers should expect no less than 10liters/ 100 km, with the capability of pulling 2350 - 3000 kg. The fuel economy expectations should be for when the van is loaded with tools and of course when pulling reasonable expectations should apply. That's why I don't get how GM is keeping their vans alive. Their Fuel management system on their vans from what I can tell does not deliver the fuel economy that should be expected from what I believe is a good and promising technology of their AFM system. WE shall see what comes in 2018.
They should totally bring the V class stateside.
they would have to make an American version. safty crash tests are different and the V will not pass in its current form.
I hope that the V Class is brought to America when that plant in USA is built.
Not sure if Scotty would be happy...
Ryan Pham Scotty would only be happy if they brought back the 94 Celica.
Contractors load plywood vertically. Most cargo vans have shelving, so generally its easier to go upright.
Ram ProMaster ... just another European made van which got rebadged to sell on the American market :D
You mentioned the Sprinter to be Mercedes' full size van ... actually that was the Vario, which was discontinued in 2013 but which is still popular. The Sprinter is rather the medium size van from Mercedes
There was an awful lot of background noise during your PiP comparison segment. Might want to look at picking up some fabric partition walls to act as sound isolation if that's going to become a common occurrence.
I can see the Metris being very popular with people that participate in dog events. Dog crates take up a lot of space. The Astro and Aerostar were very popular among the dog even people.
Given that the Chevy Astro / GMC Safari Cargo was discontinued in 2005, which was a mid size cargo that was very very popular with tradesmen, this van should do well. I just cannot understand why GM never continued Astro or redesigned it. The size was similar to this metris and was very reliable. I owned 5 Astro cargo vans between 1986 and 2005. Today, Gm, dodge and Nissan need to build a mid size again in my opinion. They are building vans that are either too large or too small right now for a lot of contractors!! Wake up Manufactures! I am seriously looking at this metris.
GM discontinued the Astro and Safari because they would compete with the far more profitable crossovers.
Alex, can you do a review of the new Mercedes Benz GLC AMG 43
Then Mercedes should bring the v class to usa
I think you should compare the Nissan NV van too, it has V6 or V8 options, and is more reliable than these vans!
Great vid. 👌🏽
2:18 - I haven't seen an Astro or Aerostar on the road in 20 yrs. My ex-inlaws had both in the late 80's and 90's.
Great work - thank you!
Very informative!
i think Mercedes doesn't want to bring the v class to America because it might take sales from the gls
I read somewhere, and I don't remember where exactly so take this with a grain of salt, but Mercedes considered that R-Class thing they used to sell to be a luxury minivan, and when it flopped hard they took the wrong lesson from it. Instead of thinking, "America doesn't like overpriced weird things that don't really have a niche" they think, "America doesn't want a luxury Mercedes-Benz minivan"; thusly they won't sell the V-Class here because they think there's no market for it, because the R-Class whatever was about as popular as coronavirus.
What an awesome review. Would you do a Ford Taurus in the near future?
Still waiting for the Subaru Impreza Review
Love your channel Alex. Do you have a recommendation for a AWD or 4x4 cargo van in the US? My friend is looking to replace a AWD Chevy Astro and it looks like it's quite difficult to find a AWD cargo van nowadays. Thanks in advance.
+Azzagard your only factory option is a full size Mercedes sprinter. The Toyota Sienna is AWD but there is no cargo version. There are aftermarket conversions available for the Ford and Nissan vans
Do you think that the Metris would be finr to use it for uber/lyft xl or a transportation business? Thanks
It would have been nice seeing how the bench seats are removed and moved around.
Great Video AOA. Question. What do you think about the Metris as a Taxi and/or Rideshare vehicle?
That's literally what the passenger version of the Metris was designed for.
@11:05 'Charge' meter in multifunction display? There's a hybrid version of this available somewhere? I wonder if that will eventually make it here? Also, love the coffee cup indicator. Why, yes, I think I will have a cup...
N Pooch it's for charging the capacitors for the start-stop system.
It's my understanding that Mercedes is recommending using Premium gas with the Metris.
I use premium gas regardless whether If it’s my W203, W211 or even my Camry.
Alex, there's too much headroom in your PIP video shot. Other than that it's a great video.
What does the b pillar have to do with it being rwd?
Is the 7/10 front seat score based on the crummy work truck version? Hard to imagine that wouldn't offer a more luxurious version.
I remember old US vans where you could just take out seat rows and put them in different places. They were heavy though.
Mercedes offers a Driver Comfort Package with lumbar support and a "Comfort Seat" for both driver and passenger for $500±. Being that Alex's van was pretty much stripped; didn't have the upgraded gauges, the leather wheel, the wide open rear doors, painted bumpers, and so forth, I think it's likely he didn't have the good seats either. So 7/10 isn't bad.
listening to your video at 1.25 speed feels normal
Alex, you forgot to show us the fuel filler door.
Alex, are there any other 4x4 or AWD vans other than the Sienna and Sprinter?
From the factory, not that I am aware of. However, you can get a conversion for the Nissan NV or Transit. I would not be surprised if a conversion is offered for the Metris in time.
The VW Multivan has 4motion, so there are more awd options.
That is not sold in the USA. Since he was asking about the Sienna I assume the original commenter was talking about N American vans.
Thank you Alex. And yes I was speaking about the North American market
I'm a couple of years late, but, I just wanted to mention that GM made a factory AWD version of the Express/Savanna through 2014; if you're willing to buy pre-owned.
Not even a thing when this video was made or when OP asked their question but I figure I'd mention it; late in the 2020 model year the Chrysler Pacifica vans are finally supposed to get an AWD option, a modified version of the AWD set-up under the Jeep Cherokee. The 2021 models of the big Chrysler will have much better looking styling front and rear as well, which would be the one to get if you're smitten with the Pacifica for other reasons.
Forgive me but...A "body colored" bumper? Wouldn't it then be white?
but they ran out white paint
So glad I bought the Promaster City instead of this. No regrets!
Kumbaya. Why so? I'm waffling back and forth between the City and the Metris (cargo) and can't make up my mind. Thoughts?
Just a rebranded Fiat ... and I'd never buy a Fiat for sure ^^
i tried a 8-seater in LA for a week last summer. nice but i want one with 4x4 in vancouver.
Indeed. Maybe after they build their NA plant. It would probably be a big seller since no one else is really doing it in this segment.
Does anyone know if a mountain bike will fit in the rear behind the the 2nd row with the 3rd row removed. standing up and with both wheels still attached?
Love this flex seat config. How heavy are these seats?
I wish they made VW vans in the US like they do in Europe. My 2003 VW Eurovan could beat most of the competition today base on cargo and passenger room and comfort! Plus get the same fuel economy for slightly larger van! US market is a joke to most market around world!
Why can't they manufacture a front wheel drive version? That's what's preventing me from buying it.
US Auto Unions will fight tooth and nail to keep the Chicken Tax.
Ivan Vojt why? it mostly helps toyota and harms the u.s manufacturers
Ivan Vojt what's the chicken tax?
Not a huge fan of unions, but which class of American made vehicles are the best selling and best performing?
Answer: Trucks.
Meanwhile, pickups have lower total costs of ownership than comparably priced sedans or SUVs. They hold their value very well.
Fair trade and free trade are quite different things. When they allow free markets in their economies for US products, then we can do the same for theirs. Till then, tariffs even the playing field.
exactly
Scott Kronmiller the Chicken Tax is the US response to European taxes on imported chicken, which was a luxury item in Europe.
For the 40k + price you can get any other minivan with a 8 speed up to a 10 speed auto. Not a 6 speed. Your info is not accurate
Make a mini version of the VWCalifornia And I’ll buy one in a minute
@Kim Horton, Recon Campers does maybe the closest thing to the VW California camper conversion in a mini. They use the Nissan NV 200 van. They have some UA-cam videos. I believe the company is based in southern California.
Heard about the vw sharan ?
How does it do in the snow?
review the continental next...
Mercedes ran out of white paint
Trebor S the badge cost too much, they ran out of money.
no diesel?
Check out Doug Demuro review of the Metris
Sad..This chicken tax does not apply any longer considering the global market that the U.S. auto makers are now pursuing! My idea of the perfect metris/V class would include the 2.1 liter diesel w/4matic and 7 speed! Then they would dominate this class!
Mercedes Please bring The V class to America, Some of us want something more luxurious than a Honda Odyssey and a Toyota Sienna and some people find the GLS still a little too small for their family needs.
I swear they wanted to name this minivan "Tetris".
So I guess you don't get the nice Mercedes Key???
Same Mercedes key, but it's very light weight and plastic-y. I test drove one.
Ki Wo no you didn't
No steering wheel controls??? Your being screwed... In Europe even the entry level Vito 1.6 diesel front wheel drive panel van has full steering controls.
Is it really that expensive to paint the bumpers?
$336 here in 2020 to order painted bumpers. Probably costs Mercedes about tree-fiddy to actually paint them...
Too shame, American's Toyota market doesn't provide the japanese minivans to compete with others. Its basically buying a 1970's minivans but its from Mercedes.
did the chicken kill the ford ranger?
Ranger was built here, so no. But it kill the possibility of importing the Brazilian made Ranger, so far as I know.
Trebor S
i am aware that the ford ranger is sold just about everywhere, except America and that is the problem.
Kip Amore
the ford ranger left America when they closed that factory. they still sell them globally and they are built outside the country, Thailand, South Africa and a few other places, you can buy one in Canada and Mexico and importing is not an option.
The Ranger continued abroad, with models built in South Africa and Thailand, mostly to do battle with the Toyota Hilux. It's actually a pretty great truck.
But Ford won't bring it stateside because it's large for a compact truck and they worry about cannibalizing F-150 sales.
LoveStallion
thats a shame, the rangers the sweet spot for people like me who don't want a full size pickup but requires the bed once in a blue moon.
How can I set the time?
It is much bigger then the american minivans
You state a lot of numbers except the most important. The cost of routine maintenance. Oil changes, brake service, shock replacement. I am sure the Metris costs are significantly higher than the other models you compared to. If the Metris is anything like other Mercedes models I would not touch it, especially since it lacks features, ridiculous seating and higher purchase price. That black bumper??? Ugly.
So it has the same engine as the Infiniti Q50 2.0t and Mercedes CLA.
The Metris, also know as; "The calculator", "The Escape Room", "The Gym", "The Chick Magnet" etc, is built in a world full of unhealthy, pessimistic, and low IQ people. This results in a lack of decent and or honest reviews in favour of this life changing car.
Owning a Mercedes Benz Metris is all you need to remain happy and healthy in life. As Dr. Merzenich explains, "your brain is designed and constructed to be stimulated and challenged". If you don't use your brain you lose it! That's why Mercedes strategically made the car so difficult to use. Not only is it keeping our brains stimulated at all times, but its putting the victim under circumstances where teamwork is a key component of breaking out of the puzzling escape room. This not only improves social skills, but it forms deeper relationships with those who are trapped together.
Whether or not the Metris pulls the ladies, is not a question. It's a fact. The engineers at Mercedes knew this all too well, that's why they used their many years of experience to implement awrkward, heavy seats. You don't need a gym membership to get in good shape, all you need is to attempt to get to the back seat of a Metris, workout complete. The heavy seats get the blood moving to the muscles giving the user a pump before communicating with any potential partners.
Ignorant car reviewers complain that the Metris was poorly built and as a result, the car seats rattle in the back creating noise. They couldn't be more wrong. The rattling sound is not a byproduct of a poorly engineered automobile, but instead a manifestation of forward planning by the caring engineers of Mercedes Benz. A new study from Harvard indicates that people who have slept for fewer than seven of the past 24 hours have higher odds of being involved in and responsible for car crashes. The risk is greatest for drivers who have slept fewer than four hours. An estimated seven percent of all motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. and 16 percent of fatal crashes involve driver drowsiness. The genius engineers knew that Metris owners won't be getting much sleep from all the action they'll be getting from the ladies after owning one. To compensate for this loss of sleep, they designed the seats to rattle, preventing the driver from sleeping at the wheel.
In conclusion, Mercedes Benz only creates "The best or nothing". I didn't even mention how to Metris has a positive effect on climate change, or how its capped at a low speed to prevent speeding fines. Doubt your doubts before you doubt the Metris.
8:36 front pastor?
cargo version is okay, but the passenger version is a junk. i was very disappointed checking it out in person. none of the back windows open btw.. a poor choice for family.
Seems good for uber
XLNT REVIEW...
The wort mini van
make a 2018 version
unpainted bumpers, plastic door cards, no split reclining seats and exposed bench seat legs.....
Never understood the point of minivans. So much added size and weight just to seat 2 extra people over a typical sedan?
You are correct! You do not understand the "point of minivans."
Metris will be a failure. In fact already a failure. Read reasons
1- cost.
2- wheelbase size. If I choose 139" metris, then I will prefer sprinter 144 high roof or 148 transit high roof, same price more cargo.
3- turning radius. Not much difference if compared to transit and sprinter.
4- ford transit available in awd version as well with gas engine.
Now u ask Mercedes why hell on earth they introduced this design to north America, it is good seller in Europe but here game is different all d way.
You talk too fast for me
I'd rather get a stripper grand caravan, that's saying a lot.
This is a piece of junk. Grossly overpriced for getting hardly any features. Why would I want to put the third row seats in the middle???
do you have a Metris?
He would point out obvious features like adjustable seatbelts, round vents and windshield wipers!! FOH!! come on man point out something interesting.
Absolute JUNK... A Mercedes with few options, and seats that DON'T even fold down!!! A Standard on ANY Minivan. You have to take a 3 person bench seat out to open up the cargo area... Good Luck with that if you have back problems. And if you don't have back problems before, you will after removing the seats ! Oh yea.. it has a 7 speed trans... like that makes ANY Difference when there''s not enough power.
The Vito / Metris is less meant to service private use and families but rather serve as commercial vehicle (e.g. for construction companies and contractors, airport parking services, schools etc), and in the lowest range of option of course offer a rather cheap version of it.
Actually the Metris is the most powerful version of the Vito, however with a top speed of 100 mph it's the 2nd slowest Vito. The slowest one will do 98 mph and does so with only 88 hp compared to the Metris' 208 hp; The fastest ones will do 128 mph with 190 hp ... se power itself isn't really relevant for the speed
We 💖 Mercedes!
This is a *POS!*
🤨 and I'm going by the "V" class "luxury" model.
Seriously embarrassing Mercedes product and completely opposite of the otherwise reasonably justified advertisement claims they make regarding the car model line up.
Odyssey is better
Check out Doug DeMuros' review. Worst van ever.
Robert Fowler I would say worst review ever
all of the sudden Doug De Muro is god when it comes to cars??
This van is a nightmare of a vehicle, Its overpriced and uncomfortable. No options and safety features are minimal. Every other van is better value.