The 2019 Mercedes-Benz Metris Cargo Van is a rear-wheel-drive midsize van built on a 135-inch long wheelbase. It is powered by a 2.0L direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine that can generate 208 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. It is mated to a seven speed automatic transmission.

The Metris Cargo has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 6,614 pounds with a payload capacity of 2,370 pounds. 

One of the Metris van’s greatest assets is 199 cubic feet of interior space. There is a sliding door on the passenger side and 270-degree swing-out rear cargo doors to facilitate loading and unloading of cargo. In addition, the Metris is prewired for trailer use and can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

For a work vehicle, the Metris Cargo Van offers good fuel economy with an EPA rating of 21 mpg for city driving and 24 mpg for highway driving. The van is equipped with an 18.49-gallon fuel tank, which gives it a respectable cruising range between fill-ups.

Driving Impressions

AF recently had an opportunity to test drive the 2019 Metris Cargo Van. It offers a good blend of low-end torque, fuel economy, and maneuverability, which makes it ideally suited for a variety of urban fleet applications.

The turbocharged 2.0L gasoline engine is responsive, offering plenty of power when needed. The seven-speed transmission was smooth-shifting with quick downshifts to help slow the van smoothly to a stop, which is truly appreciated when the vehicle is fully loaded.

The Metris Cargo Van has excellent driving characteristics, in particular, its precise steering made the vehicle nimble to handle on city streets and stable while cruising on the highway. The van also has an impressively tight turning radius, which is especially handy in urban fleet applications. Ergonomically, the Metris’ driver and passenger seats are comfortable and there is ample headroom and legroom for both occupants, which makes for a comfortable work environment.

Safety Equipment & Warranty

The Metris Cargo Van comes standard with the load-adaptive stability control, crosswind assist, and hill start assist. Our test vehicle was equipped with the optional Mercedes-Benz PARKTRONIC with Active Parking Assist, which is a driver assistive technology used in parallel parking, which is especially useful in tight urban areas helping to avoid needless fender benders, scrapped paint, and dinged metal.

The Metris Cargo Van has a five-year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty and 15,000-mile maintenance intervals.