Louth Motors: Not just a van with windows- the Mercedes T-Class deserves a second look

Van based cars, are there any other cars more divisive? “I’m not driving that” to “I love them” is the range which could not be more polar. And in this sensitive age, and I’m speaking anecdotally here, it is not a male or female thing. It could be a nationalistic thing because on my travels throughout Europe you see lots and lots of them on the roads whereas here in Ireland they are bought, I’d say, only by the knowing few. The problem is how to enlighten those who recoil instantly to simply try one. 

I maintain driving a van is a lot easier than a car due to the boxy shape and excellent visibility/mirrors and more people who take the time to drive the likes of this Mercedes T-Class will realise that too. To differentiate it from the normal panel Citan van there's a fancy grille, obviously windows, alloys and a lot more of the usually black items colour-coded to match the rest of the car. It’s not lipstick on a pig but there is no disguising the car's heritage/DNA. Its other major charm is its practicality. These vehicles were built and designed around practicality.

For a start this car has sliding doors which in passenger car land is usually reserved for high end luxury models. It allows for that grand entrance at premieres. In the T-Class it is a hangover from van drivers who constantly are getting in and out and taking out or putting in packages which makes that so much easier. The same now applies to people and specifically your pride and joys and those whose mobility and agility is on the wane making getting in and out is a lot easier. It is possibly the single best attraction of the T-Class. That and the huge opening up and over door at the back. This reveals the whole cargo area allowing it to be fully availed of. It is 520l in size but when the seats are folded flat you can get an impressive, maximum of 2,100l. 

I had the Progressive model that was, joy of joys, equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox. This is the sort of vehicle that works best with a manual because of the multiplicity of roles it will be asked to play as well as the terrain it will be used on. I always find a manual gives you total flexibility for this. Being dash mounted was another bonus. The 160D Progressive model I had (€49,234 incl. paint) came with a 1,461cc diesel engine that produces 95PS and 260 Nm of torque that's all put through the front wheels.

Inside there are all the usual items you get in a normal passenger car and my model was very well equipped. Mercedes have a code for every thing in a car and the spec sheet I got for this car listed a huge number of items. Included was smartphone mirroring, Mercedes MBUX multimedia system that's one of the best around with a 9.5 inch screen, a host of driving safety systems and a reversing camera. Oddly for me was the cruise control which was not radar enabled that adjusts the cruise speed based on the car in front which on a Mercedes that had substantial equipment is a strange omission. Also, because it's so common on a lot of cars these days it makes it a hazard for me jumping into different press cars every week and kind of expecting it.

The sense of driving a van is missing from the T-Class as it is so car-like that quickly lets you forget the word van. Its steering is light and a boon in and around town. Especially with that 11.8m turning circle which is most definitely a van speciality making manoeuvring a cinch. My car was light carrying nothing in it making it feel a little skittish on imperfect roads but the sound insulation delivering excellent noise reduction is what you’d expect in any car with a three pointed star on it. Loaded up with life's partners and chattels it’s a very comfortable ride and settles down nicely. Being picky, at the motorway limit there was some wind noise at ear height that could be from the mirrors but it wasn't excessive -the van shape let's face it is not the most aerodynamic is it? That commanding driving position that was stolen from van drivers by all those making SUVs and Crossovers is here in spades and most enjoyable too.

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Competitors are the likes of the Ford Tourneo and VW Caddy that both start around the €51k mark with the Peugeot Rifter considerably cheaper. Renault and Citroen with their Kangoo and Berlingo models only offer electric versions so it's a bit of a plus to be able to get a Merc a bit cheaper than the Ford or VW equivalent.

These models are made for everyone but they alas don't seem to be for everyone with our buying preferences leaning towards SUVs and Crossovers. That pendulum isn’t swinging back at any noticeable rate either. Which is a shame because these cars are laser focused on providing family life practicality. Take one out on a test drive with an open mind and be prepared to be impressed.