This Mercedes Minivan Is Also a Camper
The Mercedes Metris Getaway van might not be for everyday driving, but is a great option for regular camping and road trips.
Written by Alexandra Maloney
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
When you think of Mercedes, the last thing that comes to mind is probably
minivans
. This might explain, at least in part, why an earlier Mercedes minivan, the Mercedes Benz Metris, got such terrible reviews
when it made its debut. But,
Mercedes
isn’t giving up without a fight. Recently, the company unveiled another Mercedes minivan, the Metris Getaway Van. And this one has a unique feature that just might make it more attractive to drivers and earn better reviews. The Mercedes Benz Metris Getaway Van is also a camper.Previous Mercedes minivans got bad reviews
Before we jump into the Mercedes-Benz Metris Getaway Van, let’s talk about what happened with previous Mercedes minivans—specifically, the Mercedes Benz Metris. This van has a starting price point around $43,270 and seats eight people in total.
When car YouTuber Doug DeMuro reviewed the minivan, he didn’t like a number of things. For starters, the second row doesn’t tilt back, making accessing the third row difficult. Similarly, the third row doesn’t fold all the way back to increase trunk space, leaving an eight-passenger van without much cargo space.
Plus, for a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, the car seemed extremely outdated. All doors and seats are manual, there’s no power functions anywhere, and rear windows don’t open at all. Not to mention, there’s no infotainment system in back either, and the one up front is tiny and not a touchscreen.
What is the Mercedes Metris Getaway van?
Clearly, the original Metris minivan has some issues. But, has Mercedes redeemed itself with the Metris Getaway van? Described by
Mercedes
as a way to “turn your daily drive into a daily adventure,” the outlook is promising. Starting at a price around $35,580, the Metris Getaway van already gives you a much bigger bang for your buck compared to the original Metris. While the original Metris minivan seemed outdated and cheaply made, the luxury car brand seriously upped their game with the latest version.
As
CarBuzz
reports, the Mercedes Metris Getaway van has been adapted to feature an elevating roof that sleeps two people, complete with a 2-inch thick mattress for comfort. Plus, it has USB ports, a second battery, and even accessories like a pull-out kitchen, roof rack, and storage bins.While the old Metris had an odd seating configuration that made comfort and storage difficult, the Getaway van is the complete opposite. In addition to a full bed on the roof, the rear row of the Getaway van folds completely, creating another two person bed directly in the van. And, the two front seats have 180-degree swivel abilities.
Is the Metris Getaway van worth it?
If you’re looking for a van with great driving and performance capabilities, the Metris Getaway van isn’t for you. As
Gear Patrol
reports, the turbocharged engine carries 208 hp, and is enough to keep up with traffic, but not much else. For everyday driving, the Metris Getaway van is definitely not the right vehicle. But, what this minivan does have is an abundance of space for travel. On clear nights, it can sleep four people, with two on the roof and two inside the van. It has everything you need to live out of it for weeks on end, and charging capabilities that ensure your devices will never be dead.
So, if you’re big on camping, getting outside in nature, or road trips, the Metris Getaway van is a great way to see the country without spending a fortune and definitely worth the money.
4.7
