Gallery 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris
We remember a time when the smallest Mercedes-Benz model was the brand's most affordable in the U.S. -- that would have been the 2002 C230 Kompressor SportCoupe hatch with a starting price of just over $25,000. But times have certainly changed and the most affordable vehicle in Mercedes-Benz's stateside lineup starting this fall will be one of the largest: the Metris van set to start at $29,945.
Sold as the Vito in other markets, the Metris is a midsize van that will be positioned below the slightly roomier if not more upscale Sprinter, which has been on sale in the U.S. under various badges for a little over a decade now. Slated to be offered in Cargo and Passenger configurations, the Metris will be powered by four-cylinder gasoline engine producing 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque connected to a seven-speed automatic transmission.
Mercedes-Benz has positioned the Metris to be just larger than small commercial vans such as the Chevrolet City Express, but smaller than the full-size vans like the Ford Transit. The closest vehicle in terms of simple length is the Ram C/V Tradesman which measures 202.8 inches to the Metris' 202.4, though the Mercedes-Benz vehicle will offer 29 percent more interior space and will be carry over 700 pounds more. It's certainly an interesting niche to carve out when entering the suddenly modern commercial van market in the U.S., with Stuttgart also hoping to get a slice of the school run market (with a side helping of Eurocrat security vehicle chic) with the passenger version set to start at $33,495.
"We are pleased to debut the Mercedes-Benz Metris at NTEA, which is a major step in launching our midsize commercial van in the U.S. market in October 2015,” said Bernie Glaser, vice president and managing director of Daimler Vans USA, LLC. “It is only logical that we adopt the global approach and also expand our successful vans business in the USA. Our SEMA ‘Mission: Metris’ presence with four distinctive van concepts was an effective way for us to hit the ground running to announce the nameplate ‘Mercedes-Benz Metris’ and to show off its unmatched versatility, size, and safety."
Mercedes-Benz also took the opportunity to announce that the luxury V-class van will not be making it to the U.S., the company having judged that the passenger versions of the Metris and the Sprinter will satisfy all the demand for vans with the three-pointed star badge.
The Metris will go on sale this October and will be available through the a network of over 200 Mercedes-Benz van dealers, alongside the Sprinter.
Jay Ramey grew up around very strange European cars, and instead of seeking out something reliable and comfortable for his own personal use he has been drawn to the more adventurous side of the dependability spectrum. Despite being followed around by French cars for the past decade, he has somehow been able to avoid Citroën ownership, judging them too commonplace, and is currently looking at cars from the former Czechoslovakia. Jay has been with Autoweek since 2013.
