2020 V-Class (Metris): How Good is the Mercedes-Benz Minivan?
The S-Class of vans has seen some upgrades. And they are all there to help you travel as you want, instead of worrying about accommodation or food stops.
Premium van
Mercedes-Benz's new V-Class (Metris in the US) can rightfully claim to be the S-Class of vans. A vehicle built on the company's robust rear-wheel drive commercial van architecture, but one that features all the luxury and trim quality you expect from the premium brand inside. It has a new look too, with a redesigned lower fascia/bumper and grille.
Winning the space race
The new V-Class is a rather large vehicle. It measures 16.8ft in length and stands 77-inches tall. The advantage of those dimensions is that it is absolutely cavernous inside, with all the utility and passenger space you could ever require. Not a light vehicle, due to its size, but with a potent new 239hp diesel engine and nine-speed automatic gearbox, it covers ground swiftly enough.
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Technological tour de force
From behind the helm, there is a range of new assistance systems to help the driver. Any van has a large side-profile, which can make it susceptible to crosswinds. The V-Class has sophisticated crosswind steering mitigation software, to help you trim corrections, should that be required. It also features autonomous braking and those seats have both climate control and massage functions.
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Family conference during a road trip? No problem.
The new V-Class has a marvelously adaptable cabin. Mercedes-Benz's engineers have thought of every possible eventuality. Stowage. Connectivity. And most of all: comfort. This is a van that can become whatever you require it to be, for a specific journey. Shown here, for instance, is the conference seating layout, enabling a group of four people to interact face-to-face.
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Your own mobile bistro
Why be limited by what is on offer at a gas station or roadhouse, in terms of the menu? With the V-Class, you can have your own kitchen on the go. The cleverly integrated mini-kitchen offers all the features and functionality you require, to keep a family on vacation fed and happy.
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Convenient and safe on the go - too
The V-Class mini kitchen has two gas cooking plates for preparing food or making coffee. There is a single basin for washing up. And a fridge unit for keeping food fresh. The engineers have cleverly crafted transparent covers, which look over all the kitchen's exposed features.
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This is your own vehicle Airbnb
A powered tailgate and electric seats make it very easy to shape and configure the V-Class cabin to your needs. With the second- and third-row seating folded flat, there is a very comfortable double-bed sleeping option on offer. Keep the second row of seats upright, and V-Class will still offer an amazing 100 cu-ft of luggage space.
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Home on wheels?
Mercedes-Benz is also offering the Marco Polo version of its new van, for those who really want the freedom of not traveling from venue-to-venue, but being able to stay anywhere they like. The electrically operated roof-tent offers an additional double-bed sleeping arrangement and there is a side-blind too, which can be deployed to provide a shaded leisure area during the day.
>>Join the conversation about the Mercedes-Benz V-Class (Metris) right here in the MBWorld Forum!
For service and maintenance information on your car, check the how to section of MBWorld.com.