Compare the2023 Mercedes Metris CargoVS 2023 Ford Transit Van

Both the Metris Cargo and the Transit Van 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 crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mercedes 2 places higher in reliability than Ford.

Regenerative brakes improve the Metris Cargo’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Transit Van doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Metris Cargo’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Transit Van Trail’s standard 75 series tires. The Metris Cargo’s optional tires have a lower 55 series profile than the Transit Van’s 65 series tires.

For better load carrying, ride, handling and brake cooling the Metris Cargo offers optional 17-inch wheels. The Transit Van’s largest wheels are only 16-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the Mercedes Metris Cargo has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Ford Transit Van has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The front and rear suspension of the Metris Cargo uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the Transit Van, which uses leaf springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

For better maneuverability, the Metris Cargo Standard WB’s turning circle is 6.5 feet tighter than the Transit T-150 Regular’s (36.4 feet vs. 42.9 feet).

The Mercedes Metris Cargo may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 900 to 1950 pounds less than the Ford Transit Van.

The Metris Cargo is shorter than the Transit Van, making the Metris Cargo easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces:

The Metris Cargo is 8.3 inches narrower on average than the Transit Van, making the Metris Cargo easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Metris Cargo is 7 inches shorter in height than the Transit Van, making the Metris Cargo much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The Metris Cargo’s available liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The Transit Van’s two swing out doors impair rear visibility, need a lot of clearance, and can block loading in tight quarters.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Metris Cargo offers an optional power cargo door, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Transit Van doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

The Metris Cargo’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Transit Van’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the front windows are left open on the Metris Cargo the driver can close them from a distance using the remote (remote must be aimed at door sensor). On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Transit Van can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Metris Cargo to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Transit Van doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Metris Cargo offers an optional rear wiper. The Transit Van doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Metris Cargo’s optional power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Transit Van’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The Metris Cargo’s optional dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Transit Van doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The Metris Cargo’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Transit Van doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.