Compare the2023 Ford Transit VanVS 2023 Mercedes Metris Cargo

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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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 uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a 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.

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, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Ford Transit Van weighs 824 to 1990 pounds more than the Mercedes Metris Cargo. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

The Transit Van 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 Cargo.

The Transit Van’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Metris Cargo 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 Van’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Transit Van has a standard 250-amp alternator (500-amp - Transit Van optional). The Metris Cargo’s standard 175-amp alternator and largest (optional) 190-amp alternator aren’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 Van’s reliability 20 points higher than the Metris Cargo.

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.

Engine

The Transit Van’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 67 more horsepower (275 vs. 208) and 2 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 258) than the Metris Cargo’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Transit Van’s optional 3.5 turbo V6 produces 102 more horsepower (310 vs. 208) and 142 lbs.-ft. more torque (400 vs. 258) than the Metris Cargo’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Transit Van 3.5 EcoBoost’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 Cargo doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Transit Van uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Metris Cargo requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Transit Van’s standard fuel tank has 6.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Metris Cargo (25 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Transit Van’s optional fuel tank has 12.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Metris Cargo (31 vs. 18.5 gallons).

The Transit Van 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 Cargo doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Transit Van, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the Metris Cargo.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Transit Van’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Metris Cargo:

	Transit Van	Metris Cargo
Front Rotors	12.1 inches	11.8 inches
Rear Rotors	12.1 inches	11 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Transit Van Trail’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Metris Cargo (245/75R16 vs. 235/55R17).

The Ford Transit Van’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mercedes Metris Cargo only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Transit Van’s wheelbase is longer than on the Metris Cargo:

	Transit Van	Metris Cargo
SWB Van	130 inches	126 inches
LWB Van	147.6 inches	135 inches

Passenger Space

The Transit T-150 Regular has 1.2 inches more front headroom, 5.5 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more front hip room and 5.7 inches more front shoulder room than the Metris Cargo Standard WB.

The Transit T-150 Long has 12.4 inches more front headroom, 5.5 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more front hip room and 5.7 inches more front shoulder room than the Metris Cargo Long WB.

Cargo Capacity

The Transit T-150 Regular has a much larger cargo volume than the Metris Cargo Standard WB (246.7 vs. 182.9 cubic feet).

The Transit Van’s cargo area is larger than the Metris Cargo’s in almost every dimension:

	Transit T-150 Regular	Transit T-250 Long-EL	Metris Cargo Standard WB	Metris Cargo Long WB
Length	126”	172.2”	111.5”	120.5”
Max Width	70.2”	70.2”	66.3”	66.3”
Min Width	54.8”	45.4”	50”	50”
Height	56.9”	81.5”	55”	55”

Payload and Towing

The Transit Van’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Metris Cargo’s (5100 vs. 5000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Mercedes Metris Cargo is only 5000 pounds. The Transit Van offers up to a 6900 lbs. towing capacity.

The Transit T-150 AWD has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Metris Cargo Standard WB (3472 vs. 2205 lbs.).

The Transit T-150 has a much higher optional payload capacity than the Metris Cargo Standard WB (3668 vs. 2668 lbs.).

Ergonomics

The Transit Van 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 Metris Cargo doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the Transit Van 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 Cargo doesn’t offer a telescoping steering wheel.

The Transit Van’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Metris Cargo’s parking brake has to be released manually.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Transit Van’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Metris Cargo doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

Intelligent Access optional on the Transit Van 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 Cargo doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

In addition to the standard right side sliding door, the Ford Transit Van offers an optional driver’s side rear sliding door. This door simplifies loading and unloading passengers and it allows parents to easily secure two children into child seats. The Metris Cargo doesn’t offer a driver’s side rear door.

The Transit Van’s optional power passenger’s side sliding door makes it much easier to load and unload kids and cargo. One touch opens the door, before you even get to the van. The Metris Cargo doesn’t offer a power rear door.

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

The Transit Van’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 Cargo’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

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

The Transit Van has standard power remote mirrors. The Metris Cargo only comes with remote mirrors at extra cost. Without them the driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

The Transit Van’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 Cargo doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

The Transit Van offers an optional 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 Cargo doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

The Ford Transit outsold the Mercedes Metris by almost 8 to one during 2022.