The Mercedes T-Class with a 116 hp diesel engine, automatic transmission, and Progressive finish. This configuration is the top of the range of what claims to be the best compact van on the market. A minivan that tries to distance itself from its commercial vehicle genes.
The vans have superseded the traditional minivans as a choice when choosing a family transport. Among them, the Mercedes T-Class tries to show itself as the most luxurious option in the segment. I have been able to enjoy its most equipped version and with the best performance/consumption ratio, the Mercedes T 180d 7G-DCT Progressive.
The T-Class is the result of Daimler's strategic collaboration with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, from which the Mercedes Citan, the Renault Kangoo, and the Nissan Townstar have also emerged. It is striking that Mercedes has two products within the same segment but are aimed at different audiences.
The CitanTourer seeks a more professional profile that can combine leisure and work, while the T-Class aims to show itself as a compact minivan that provides the same things as tourism. It is also an alternative for those who are short of space in a Mercedes B-Class.
In this way, the T shows more packaging, and the Style and Progressive lines can be added to the base finish. The test unit has the Progressive finish, the top of the range, which comes standard with High-Performance LED headlights, LED taillights, chrome trim in the lower part of the rear window, and alloy wheels of different designs. In the option, you can put wheels up to 17 inches.
This compact model has external dimensions of 4,498 mm in length, 1,859 mm in width, and 1,857 mm in height and is offered with a capacity for five people. Soon the Mercedes minivan will receive an extra-long body variant with a seven-seater interior and even an interesting T-Class Marco Polo camper version.
A lot of equipment but a good part of it is in the list of
extras
Inside, the upper part of the instrumentation and part of the door panels are covered with a surface of artificial leather with stitching, soft to the touch but without any cushioning. It is the only tangible difference with respect to the Citan. The rest is made of hard plastic. It looks well made and gives the impression of being durable, but it certainly doesn't have a more premium atmosphere than the CitanTourer.
The seats are dressed in a pleasant black leatherette upholstery, a rare feature in this segment that adds distinction. There are other details that are not visible, such as the lining of the interior walls and the carpeting of the floor, which improve thermal and acoustic insulation.
The Progressive finish brings standard electric windows in the rear doors and some elements finished in matt silver. However, many differential elements remain on the list of extras, such as the Thermotronic dual-zone automatic climate control. It is striking that even this top-of-the-range version comes standard with manual air conditioning.
Another example is the MBUX multimedia system with a 7-inch touch screen, the same as the Citan. It works smoothly and has connectivity with Android Auto and Apple Carplay but the navigation package with real-time traffic information is an extra and is somewhat expensive.
Keyless start is standard, but keyless entry is an extra. The wireless charging system for mobile devices or the reversing camera also supposes an additional outlay. Some of these things cannot be carried by the CitanTourer and it makes a difference in favor of the T-Class, but all this has an impact on the pocket.
The German minivan can also have more sophisticated elements such as Parktronic active parking aid or a heated steering wheel, although there is no possibility of equipping a digital instrument panel, the instrumentation is analog with a 5.5-inch color TFT display in all versions.
In the center console, the spaces are scarce for a family
vehicle. Under the armrest, there is a small compartment -barely a 0.75-liter
bottle fits- and also the lid does not hold open by itself but falls violently
if it is not held, a detail that can frankly be improved. The best result is
provided by the steering wheel, very similar to the rest of Mercedes compact
cars by design and by its combination of physical and tactile buttons.
Five stars in Euro NCAP
The T-Class stands out for its safety equipment and driving assistants, an aspect in which the Citan also shines with the same elements. The active lane change detector, driver attention assistant, blind spot control, or an assistant for traffic signs, among other things, help to obtain the maximum evaluation in the Euro NCAP impact tests, placing both Mercedes models as the safest vans of the moment.
In the rear seats, which are easily accessed through large sliding doors, there is enough space for three 1.85m tall adults. They will enjoy rear air vents, bags in the backs of the front seats, folding trays, and a 12 V plug. USB-A sockets are paid separately, which only cost 37 euros. Why don't they come standard?
The three seats of the same size that this minivan has in the second row are installed on a folding bench in a 1/3 and 2/3 ratio. When folded, the cargo space is almost flat and without levels, allowing bulky objects to be transported without having to remove the seats. A useful and very well-thought-out system.
A large vertical opening tailgate gives space to a carpeted boot. It has a well-groomed appearance and it is only to be criticized that the 12 V socket that can be placed in the cargo area is, once again, on the list of optional equipment. The enormous space has a capacity of 520 liters measured up to the luggage rack.
The flat shapes of the floor and walls, as well as the low threshold, allow you to easily load a baby carriage without even having to fold it. By folding down the rear seats, you can reach 2,127 liters of volume up to the ceiling, taking advantage of its origin as a commercial vehicle.
With automatic transmission for greater comfort
Let's look under the hood of the star brand tourism. The engines available for the German van include two gasoline mechanics and another two diesel without any type of hybridization, there are no engines with an Eco label. What is offered is a 100% electric version under the name Mercedes EQT.
Depending on the engine, you can choose a manual or automatic gearbox. Unlike its Kangoo brothers, Townstar, Mercedes vans are the only ones that can be combined with an automatic transmission. It is one of the keys that inevitably tilts the balance in favor of this brand if this type of transmission is desired.
This time I tested the T 180d 7G-DCT, which is powered by the 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine developed by Renault. It is linked to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, a feature that represents a price premium of just over 3,000 euros compared to the version with the six-speed manual gearbox.
The recommended automatic gearbox provides a lot of comfort and makes this family car more refined. It lacks a bit of momentum when accelerating from a standstill for the first few meters, but once it picks up momentum it moves the car with enough energy. It is very smooth at all times and allows sequential handling through the lever since it lacks paddles behind the wheel.
The T 180d 7G-DCT is not the fastest version of the T-Class, going from 0 to 100 km/h in 13.2 seconds and reaching a top speed of 177 km/h. It is not a sports car but it ensures that it moves with some ease even when loaded thanks to its 116 CV of power and, above all, the maximum torque of 270 Nm from its mechanics.
With this configuration, the approved consumption is 5.3 l/100km, and in real use, it is possible to be around this figure without load and with very smooth and efficient driving in little cities. It seems to me a good result for a car of this type even taking into account that in a careless use carrying weight it will normally be around 6.5 l/100 km.
I am not clear that the T-Class contributes much more than the Citan. Yes, it offers a little more refinement and more extensive equipment options, but I expected a greater differentiation. In addition, it does not feel premium, although it is no less true that it is possibly the best compact van of the moment, distancing itself from its roots as a commercial vehicle.
Of course, this condition has an impact on the price since it is
the most expensive van in the segment: the Mercedes T-Class is for sale for
30,299 euros. If you are looking for a unit like the one that stars in this
test, an automatic Mercedes T 180d with Progressive line goes up to 39,182
euros to which some desirable extras will have to be added that will make the
final bill easily pass the border of 40,000 euros. The price of being the
best.
We liked it more
Walking comfort.
Equipment was available.
Safety and driving assistants.
We liked it less
High price.
The luxurious atmosphere of other Mercedes cars is not
perceived.
There are no versions of the 7
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