With the larger Sprinter, Mercedes pretty much scuttled the notion that all commercial vans had to drive like rolling penalty boxes. The 2016 Metris continues that missive, going down the road with decidedly European poise and refinement. The base fabric seats are comfortable, the steering is tight and responsive, and while the cabin might be plain, it is well built and ergonomically sound. Metris handles very well, has a fine ride and brags a 11.8 meter turning circle. For those spending lots of time in the saddle, Metris would be a pretty nice place.

The dashtop has three depressions that would accommodate clipboards etc. North Americans get two Big Gulp-size cupholders in the lower dash where the Euro stick shift would live. With the big windshield and low cut doors, forward visibility is stellar, although this van needs bigger rearview mirrors. A convex wide-angle section would be nice too.

As far as vans go, it’s not a bad looking thing, at least in the brown passenger configuration we drove with the $990 Deluxe Appearance Package that ditches the 17-inch steelies for alloys and adds body colored bumpers. It also had the $940 Luxury Interior Package with extra interior lighting, chrome accents, carpeting, overhead console panel and comfort suspension.

The passenger van is configurable for seven or eight passengers and is aimed at the hotel/parking shuttle market. Look to the aftermarket for more luxurious versions.

The cargo van’s interior height is 53.8 inches and cargo volume maxes out at 186 cubic feet. Numerous utilitarian options are available, including a bulkhead behind the passenger compartment, box lining with a system of anchor points, and extra lighting. The cargo vans we drove had one sliding door on the passenger side along with the optional 270-degree rear doors. But beware, the sliding door can hit the barn-style rear door when it is fully opened. There is a sticker on the door jam warning of this peril.

Along with the packages there are numerous a la carte options such as back up camera ($730), auto start/stop ($290), navigation ($670), reverse warning system ($120), roof rails ($460), hi-performance air conditioning ($1,200), anti-theft alarm ($380), and the list goes on. Indeed, the Metris seems infinitely customizable, in a strictly utilitarian way.

Judging by the number of Mercedes-Benz Sprinters we see here in the GTA, it’s apparent many in the trade are not adverse to paying more for a quality product that brags long service intervals, good fuel economy and higher residual values. But with more competitors, the fight is getting tougher. Mercedes is hoping this fine driving van with its in-between dimensions will find its own niche.

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