This Rant About The "Truly Terrible" Mercedes Metris Is Incredibly Thorough
As with most car publications this week, we’ve experienced a bit of a Geneva Motor Show takeover. Now the news from the show is starting to tail off, though, allow us to present you with a nice antidote to the onslaught of new car reveals: a man ranting for 25 and a half minutes about a Mercedes minivan.
OK, that doesn’t sound all that appealing on the face of it, but before you close this window, stick with us. The man in question is the incredibly meticulous Doug DeMuro, and there’s something quite interesting about his in-depth takedown of everything that’s not quite right with the Metris - the North American market-version of the Vito minivan. From the bizarre seating issues to the sat nav which looks like it’s from 10 years ago, there’s a lot to cover.
It seems there was a bit of a backlash in the comments section from some viewers of this video, prompting DeMuro to post the following:
Angry Mercedes fans: “You’re wrong! This is a commercial shuttle van! You misunderstood it!”
Well, sweetie, it’s nice that Mercedes-Benz marketing has convinced you of this — but it’s the same size as a [Toyota] Sienna/[Honda] Odyssey, with the same price as a Sienna/Odyssey, and the same scope as a Sienna/Odyssey.
If I were buying a “commercial shuttle van,” I’d literally fall over laughing at the Metris … annnnnd then I’d buy a Sienna/Odyssey. Which is what everyone does anyway.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
It was kinda weird because the Sprinter is often well recieved. But then that is a cargo van.
Does anyone know how much it costs, though? He wasn’t clear at all on that.
I think at one point he said $43,000, but I’m not sure.
It makes me laugh that in the US, a van that takes less than 9 seconds to get to 60 is considered “slow”. - Here in Europe, 9 seconds is the kind of time that’s normal for a standard -sized saloon! It’s common for MPVs (Minivans) here to take about 13-14 seconds to get to 60!
The 3.5 litre Honda that he’s comparing this Merc to just wouldn’t sell over here due to fuel prices and CO2-based emissions taxes. - It seems crazy to us that you can even get a V6 petrol van!
This van is a great option for a lot of trades people like electricians, plumber and finish carpenters out there. Find another van that gets you 2,500lbs payload, 5000lbs towing and gets 21/24 mpg’s. As a kitchen cabinet installer/service guy I would save over $250 a month on gas vs. the smallest promaster or transit, and could fit all of my tools and up to 9’ material, unlike the promaster city and transit connect. Way too many trade guys I see with full size vans using 1/5th of the space they have available, that’s just bad business sense.
Have I mentioned 0.99% interest on a lease vs. the 4%-5% from Ram or Ford work vans.
um no
After watching Doug’s review, I bought a Metris passenger “new” for $27k, and it’s great. The rear seats are for adults and are engineered to be comfortable and safe. Sit in the rear of one verses a MINIvan and tell me about it. Durable, cheap and it drives awesome. I feel at home in it, with 2 big dogs, the middle 3 seat removed and the 2 seat moved to the rear. Even though any van would work for my road trip lifestyle, I would not drive just any van. People squawk about no VW van, but here’s a bigger better version. Too bad Doug swung and missed here. His reviews are 90% rant and quick gut analysis. In a different forum, Doug would love the Metris, like if he wasn’t doing an actual review, he just got picked up in it or whatever, Anyway, lol I’m packing mine up to hit the road, there’s no other vehicle I would want….and I own a Mercedes wagon and an Audi Avant….too small. This is how I view the Metris, a giant Avant.