2023 Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van

Some may feel that moving cargo and large groups of people is for those who value quantity over quality, but Mercedes poses the question: why not win on both fronts? The 2023 Mercedes-Benz Metris is available in both passenger and cargo configurations, presenting buyers with a more premium alternative to well-known rivals like the Ram ProMaster City and Ford Transit Connect. Motivated by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine developing 208 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, the Merc can keep up with most rivals, and it boasts competitive hauling and towing capabilities. Of course, where it stands out is the quality of its interior and a longer list of standard features. However, its high asking price may send some potential buyers running to cheaper rivals.

The new Mercedes-Benz Metris Cargo and Passenger Vans move into 2023 with no significant changes. You can still choose from a regular or long wheelbase in the cargo van category, and the only engine on offer is a turbocharged four-cylinder.

In its most simplistic configuration, the price of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz Metris is still quite daunting. The Metric Cargo with a regular wheelbase starts us off at $39,600, while the long wheelbase adds $600 to the bill. Switching from sideways opening rear doors to a liftgate will cost you $572.

The new Metris Passenger Van is a little pricier at $43,600 for the regular seven-seater build. If you need to move people and cargo, the five-seater option cuts $578 from the price, but if you really need to cram them in, the eight-seater adds $406 over the base MSRP. A rear liftgate is also optional at $572. These prices do not include the $1,895 destination charge.

The model which is right for you entirely depends on how you want to use the van. For families, the five-seater passenger van is ideal due to the extra cargo space, while commercial haulers might want to consider the long-wheelbase cargo van for the extra capacity. As a shuttle, the 8-passenger Passenger Van is ideal.

While Mercedes does present buyers with a more upscale interior inside its vans, it's still important to remember that these are primarily commercial vehicles, and you won't be getting sumptuous leather or wooden veneer. What you do get is loads of space, comfortable seats, and a good list of features laid out on a dashboard that doesn't look too bleak and depressing. It is the type of car that workers will be pleased to drive around town rather than dreading the start of the work day. It's a lot more modern than some aging vans you'll still find on the road today. The steering wheel features controls for the audio system, and you can adjust the seats easily, helping to make this feel slightly more like a car than a barebones work van

The primary job of any van is to move loads of stuff or large groups of people, so you can rest assured that there is plenty of interior space. Headroom is excellent, so even tall drivers and passengers won't have trouble fitting inside, and getting in and out is also easy thanks to sliding doors, a high roof, and a comfortable step-in height. Unfortunately, legroom is not quite as generous, but you can move the seats around and choose a configuration that suits your needs. The Passenger van allows for up to eight passengers, which is one more than the Ford Transit Connect - but the Ford does offer roomier accomodations for passengers. Cargo Van models are limited to a maximum of two occupants, however.

This is where the numbers really start to speak. Starting with the Passenger Van, you get 37.43 cubic feet of space behind the third row of seats, but removing these to make it a five-seater vehicle expands the trunk volume to 97.3 cubes. This model can also handle up to 1,720 lbs of cargo, with the roof able to support another 331 lbs.

The Cargo Van is the real workhorse, though, with two wheelbases to choose from that alter its capacities. The regular wheelbase gives you a maximum of 182.9 cubic feet behind the driver's seat, while the long wheelbase boosts this to 199.2 cu-ft. The payload capacities are inversely proportionate to size, with the longer wheelbase limited to 2,150 pounds, while the regular wheelbase can handle 2,205 lbs. Both the passenger and cargo vans offer a pair of cupholders in the front, a glove compartment, and medium-size door pockets for the driver and passenger.

Mercedes has aimed for a clean and stylish look inside its vans, and while the materials used aren't as premium as they are in the automaker's regular passenger vehicles, they are comfortable and durable. Cloth is standard in Caluma Black, but you can have Black leatherette for between $81 and $234 (the passenger van costs more since there are more seats to upholster), so it's a worthwhile upgrade. Sadly, there are not additional interior colors to choose from. The dashboard and door panels are constructed of plastic, which is expected in a segment of vans that are also supposed to be durable.

The list of standard features isn't overly long, but you can add quite a lot of nice comforts at a relatively reasonable price. You start off with manually adjustable front seats, manual air conditioning, and an adjustable steering column. There is a 4.2-inch pixel matrix driver-info display and a seven-inch touchscreen for the infotainment, which includes Bluetooth streaming, SiriusXM, and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Sound is played through a set of four speakers in the Cargo Van and nine speakers in the Passenger Van. Optional features include comfort seats, automatic climate control, heated front seats, cruise control, navigation, and a digital rearview mirror.

The only engine available to the Metris is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot that makes 208 hp and 258 lb-ft. It comes mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission that directs outputs to the rear wheels. You won't find any meaningful performance figures for the Mercedes-Benz Metric, like a 0-60 mph sprint time, nor a top speed, as these are not things potential buyers care about. What you can trust is that acceleration is steady and reliable, and the van is able to tow up to 5,000 lbs, which is very competitive for the segment.

The Merc van drives a bit more confidently and comfortably than your regular workhorse, with a smart transmission that won't leave you wanting for power. Steering is light and accurate, and you get a surprisingly tight turning circle, especially with the regular 135-inch wheelbase available to the Cargo Van. Despite its size, the Metris doesn't exhibit an unpleasant amount of body roll around the bends, and you get crosswind assist to ensure you stay planted. As one might expect from a Merc, ride quality is quite good, especially when the vehicle is fully stocked with cargo or passengers.

Since it sticks to an efficient turbo-four powertrain, the Mercedes-Benz Metris gets decent mpg figures. Regardless of the wheelbase you opt for, the Cargo Van manages 19/23/20 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles. The Passenger Van is a little heavier due to the seats, so its gas mileage drops slightly to 18/22/19 mpg.

Both models boast a fuel capacity of 18.5 gallons, so you can expect 352 miles of range from the Passenger Van and 370 miles from the Cargo van with optimal driving technique.

There is no safety review of the Mercedes-Benz Metris in passenger or cargo van configuration from the NHTSA or IIHS. As standard, you get six airbags covering all the essential areas, along with ABS, load-adaptive stability control, crosswind assist, hill-start assist, and even a driver-attention system. The rearview camera is mandatory in the USA, but there are several optional driver-assistance features to add, such as lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and active brake assist.

Mercedes-Benz is a brand you may expect good reliability from, and the Metris has had a relatively clean history when it comes to recalls. 2023 models are recall-free at the time of writing, and only two were issued for 2022, with the reasons cited being a loss of drive power and a potential fuel leak.

Every new 2023 Mercedes-Benz Metris Van gets a warranty that covers basic repairs, drivetrain problems, and roadside assistance for three years/36,000 miles.

Commercial vans generally care more about capability than good looks, but the Mercedes Metris is anything but typical. It is a handsome little hauler that has one thing that no other van can offer - a premium badge in the center of that stylish three-blade grille. On either side are slanted halogen headlights, and you can opt for a set of fog lights for improved visibility. The black front and rear bumper can be swapped out for a body-color set, and you can trade the 180-degree swing-out rear doors for a liftgate. The wheels are restricted to 16 inches, with steel being standard and alloys on offer. A pair of black roof rails are installed as standard.

Cargo and passenger vans remain one of the best ways to move large groups of people and bulk cargo around towns and cities, but while they may all serve an identical purpose, not all vans are created equal. The 2023 Metris van is a more refined hauler with a comfortable interior and access to some really nice features. Despite this, it remains highly competitive in terms of payload and trailering capacities. The engine isn't a powerhouse, but it gives you plenty of torque low down where you need it, and the suspension does a great job of soaking up bumps. Of course, the fact that it comes with a premium badge means that you have to pay through yours to own one. More mainstream rivals are cheaper and just as capable, but there will no doubt be many who feel that the more upscale interior and stylish looks of the Metris more than warrant the price tag.