The Transit Van has standard Post-Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Metris Cargo doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.
Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Transit Van offers an optional Reverse Brake Assist that use rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Metris Cargo doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.
The Transit Van offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Metris Cargo doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.
The Transit Van’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Metris Cargo.
The Transit Van offers an optional 360-Degree Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Metris Cargo only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.
To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Transit Van’s optional rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Metris Cargo doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.
Both the Transit Van and the Metris Cargo have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, collision warning systems, rearview cameras, available daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems and driver alert monitors.
The Ford Transit Van weighs 807 to 1724 pounds more than the Mercedes Metris Cargo. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.