Compare the2024 Ford Transit Passenger VanVS 2023 Mercedes Metris Passenger

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

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Transit Passenger Van are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Transit Passenger 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 Passenger 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 Passenger 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 Passenger doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Transit Passenger Van offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Transit Passenger 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 Passenger.

The Transit Passenger Van offers an optional 360-Degree Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Metris Passenger 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 Passenger Van 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, rearview cameras, available daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Ford Transit Passenger Van weighs 1614 to 2778 pounds more than the Mercedes Metris Passenger. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

The Transit Passenger 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 Passenger.

The Transit Passenger Van’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 Passenger Van’s warranty.

Reliability

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

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 2024 Auto Issue reports that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ford 7 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

Engine

The Transit Passenger 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 Passenger’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Transit Passenger 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 Passenger’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

The Transit Passenger Van’s standard fuel tank has 6.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Metris Passenger (25.1 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Transit Passenger Van’s optional fuel tank has 12.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Metris Passenger (31 vs. 18.5 gallons).

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

Transmission

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

Brakes and Stopping

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

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

The Transit Passenger Van’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Metris Passenger are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

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

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Transit Passenger Van’s wheelbase is 22 inches longer than on the Metris Passenger (148 inches vs. 126 inches).

Passenger Space

The Transit Passenger Van offers optional seating for 15 passengers; the Metris Passenger can only carry 8.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Transit Passenger Van XLT’s middle and third row seats recline. The Metris Passenger’s middle and third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Transit 350 Long’s cargo area provides more volume than the Metris Passenger.

	Transit Passenger Van	Metris Passenger
Behind Third Seat	124.5 cubic feet	37.4 cubic feet
Third Seat Removed	171.7 cubic feet	97.3 cubic feet
Max Cargo Volume	245.1 cubic feet	186 cubic feet

The Transit 350HD Long-EL’s cargo area provides more volume than the Metris Passenger.

	Transit Passenger Van	Metris Passenger
Behind Third Seat	230 cubic feet	37.4 cubic feet
Third Seat Removed	301.7 cubic feet	97.3 cubic feet
Max Cargo Volume	414.1 cubic feet	186 cubic feet

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

	Transit 350 Long	Transit 350HD Long-EL	Metris Passenger
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	141.7”	170.2”	27.5”/111.5”
Min Width	53.7”	53.7”	47.4”
Height	52.8”	77”	52.4”

Payload

The Transit Passenger Van has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Metris Passenger (2722 vs. 1720 lbs.).

The Transit Passenger Van has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the Metris Passenger (3494 vs. 1720 lbs.).

Ergonomics

The Transit Passenger 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 Passenger doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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

The Transit Passenger Van’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Metris Passenger’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 Passenger Van’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

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

The Transit Passenger 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 Passenger’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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

The Transit Passenger Van’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 standard on the Transit Passenger Van detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The Transit Passenger Van has standard power remote mirrors. The Metris Passenger 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 Passenger 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 Passenger doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

The Transit Passenger Van XLT 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 Passenger Van XLT has a standard center folding armrest for the third row rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and can provide a barrier between children. The Metris Passenger doesn’t offer a third row rear seat center armrest.

Recommendations

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