Mercedes T-Class (2022) test: a Kangoo with premium sauce

At the dawn of the 2000s, Mercedes attempted a first foray into the MPV segment with its Vaneo. A car made for the family and leisure, technically very advanced, and which had among other things a “sandwich” engine like on the Class A. Twenty years after this resounding commercial failure, Mercedes reinvests in the market with a more classic model, the T-Class, a close derivative of the Renault Kangoo but with a more upscale positioning, in line with its productions.

The style of the two cousins ​​remains quite close since they have the same body and very marked shoulders which seat them on the road. Externally, it is at the front end that the T-Class and Kangoo differ the most. The fenders, hood, shields and headlights are different and allow the Mercedes to display a style close to that of the brand’s other cars. The interior treatment also diverges. It places the vehicle in a more premium-oriented universe, as evidenced by the “turbine” air vents and the MBUX multimedia system.

In order to distinguish itself, Mercedes intends to play the card of seduction on board the T-Class with its neat finish, in particular at the level of the dashboard, and its many accessible comfort equipment. So it is possible, from the launch, to order your vehicle with an automatic gearbox (actually a robotic dual-clutch) seven-speed option. The desire of the German manufacturer to offer this version is partly responsible for the significant delay (more than a year) between the marketing of the Kangoo and that of the T-Class. Note also that this specific box is available on all engines.

Mercedes T-Class Price

The new starry MPV is only sold in a short version with a choice of two diesel fuel engines and one petrol engine; these are the 1.5 l turbo diesel with 95 and 116 hp (Class T 160d and 180d) and the 1.3 l turbo petrol with 131 hp (Class T 180). Mercedes did not retain the Kangoo’s 100 hp petrol in order to position its T-Class at the top of the range (review the price difference between the Mercedes and the Renault).

Two trim levels are offered on the German: Style and Progressive. The standard endowment is high with, for example, seven airbags (including a central one), air conditioning, cruise control/speed limiter, LED headlights, alloy wheels or even the MBUX multimedia system on all models. In the Progressive version, the occupants of the MPV will have more comfort and safety equipment, including the reversing camera, electric rear windows and detection of road signs (see detailed list on page 2).

In the Style finish, the prices of the T-Class range from €29,712 (T180 petrol) to €31,812 (180d diesel). The Progressive livery claims €2,600 more. The prices of the 160d are between those of the petrol T 180 (+ €800) and the T 180d (– €1,300). If MPVs have historically been sold with diesel engines, the current environment has made us prefer gasoline for this first test. The price of diesel higher than that of unleaded, the threat of a ban in the big cities and the operation of modern petrol close to that of diesel (high torque at low revs) make Mercedes officials say that it is very difficult to estimate the future distribution of sales according to the different engines.

Our test Mercedes T-Class 180 was based on the top-of-the-range Progressive finish and fitted with numerous options (including the double-clutch gearbox costing €2,520), thus bringing the price of the model to €38,781.60.

Driving

Boarding the T-Class is very easy thanks to its wide doors that open to 90 degrees. The seats, different from those of the Kangoo, especially in terms of foam, offer good support, and the many adjustments allow you to quickly find a satisfactory driving position. However, you should pay attention, when driving, to the large windscreen pillars which can hinder three-quarter front vision, especially at intersections in town or in certain bends on small roads.

From its launch, the 1.3 l engine remains discreet at low revs. The gearbox control on D, it is enough to press the accelerator to take off in a very efficient way thanks, at first, to the high torque, then, as the engine increases in the turns, to its 131 hp. This allows to havea beautiful liveliness despite the size and weight of the vehicle. The dual-clutch gearbox ensures quick and smooth gear changes, while accelerations are just as effective thanks to the “kick down” effect. If the performances are of course equivalent to those of a Kangoo TCE 130, the Mercedes MPV displays a different character on the road, more “long touring”.

The German manufacturer has indeed revised the vehicle’s suspensions and seats to offer its customers comfort close to that of the brand’s other cars. Thus, the T-Class is rougher in town and on poor roads at low speed than the Kangoo. Conversely, these firmer suspensions and seats guarantee better directional stability at high speed and, on the road, greater driving precision. All with less body roll in curves than on the Renault. Two schools and two visions of comfort which make it possible to differentiate the two ludospaces.

On board

Competetion

The Mercedes MPV has to face many competitors, even if the Stellantis models – Citroën Berlingo, Opel Combo Life and Peugeot Rifter – are only offered in a 100% electric version (it will be necessary to wait until next year to see the EQT appear ). On the other hand, the Class T will find in front of him the Renault Kangoo, equipped with the same mechanics. For its part, the Nissan Townstar, also derived from the Kangoo, is only available with the 1.3 TCE 130 hp. Finally, let’s remember the Toyota Proace City Verso (from the Stellantis models), offered in electric but also with internal combustion engines, or the Volkswagen Caddy and its close cousin, the Ford Tourneo Connect.

Find the results of the test, the prices, equipment, options and technical data sheet of the Mercedes T-Class on the following page.