Compare the2023 Ford Transit Connect WagonVS 2023 Mercedes Metris Passenger

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Transit Connect Wagon’s optional Cross Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Transit Connect Wagon and the Metris Passenger 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, front parking sensors and driver alert monitors.

Warranty

The Transit Connect Wagon comes with free roadside assistance for 5 years 60,000 miles. Ford will send help if you run out of gas, need a jump-start, lock your keys in or need any assistance on the road. Mercedes doesn’t give free roadside assistance for the Metris Passenger.

The Transit Connect Wagon’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Metris Passenger runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are almost 8 times as many Ford dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Transit Connect Wagon’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Transit Connect Wagon has a standard 220-amp alternator. The Metris Passenger’s 190-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Transit Connect Wagon’s reliability 20 points higher than the Metris Passenger.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ford 6 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Transit Connect Wagon gets better fuel mileage than the Metris Passenger (24 city/28 hwy vs. 18 city/22 hwy).

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Transit Connect Wagon’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Transit Connect Wagon uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Metris Passenger requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Transit Connect Wagon has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Suspension and Handling

The Transit Connect Wagon has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Transit Connect Wagon flat and controlled during cornering. The Metris Passenger’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

Chassis

The Ford Transit Connect Wagon may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 pounds less than the Mercedes Metris Passenger.

The Transit Connect Wagon is 1 foot shorter than the Metris Passenger, making the Transit Connect Wagon easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Transit Connect Wagon XLT offers available electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Transit Connect Wagon has 7.3 inches more front headroom, 6.5 inches more front legroom, 4.3 inches more rear headroom, 1.8 inches more rear legroom and 1.4 inches more third row headroom than the Metris Passenger.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Transit Connect Wagon’s third row seats recline. The Metris Passenger’s third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Transit Connect Wagon’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

Ergonomics

The Transit Connect Wagon XLT/Titanium offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the Transit Connect Wagon has a telescoping steering wheel. Much better than just a tilt steering wheel or adjustable seat, this allows a short driver to sit further from the steering wheel while maintaining contact with the pedals. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a telescoping steering wheel.

Passive Entry/Passive Start optional on the Transit Connect Wagon (except XL) allows you to unlock the driver’s door, cargo door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Mercedes Metris Passenger doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

The Transit Connect Wagon’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Metris Passenger’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Transit Connect Wagon’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Metris Passenger’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Transit Connect Wagon has a standard rear wiper. A rear wiper costs extra on the Metris Passenger.

The Transit Connect Wagon’s optional high intensity discharge (HID) headlights provide a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using less power than the Metris Passenger’s halogen headlights. HID units last two to six times longer than halogen.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the Transit Connect Wagon detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Transit Connect Wagon offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Transit Connect Wagon’s optional rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

The Transit Connect Wagon has a standard center folding armrest for the middle row passengers. A center armrest helps make middle row passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a middle row seat center armrest.

The Transit Connect Wagon has a standard 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. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Metris Passenger.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Ford Transit Connect offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) on the dashboard. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Transit Connect Wagon has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

The Ford Transit Connect outsold the Mercedes Metris by almost two to one during 2022.