driving report
Entertaining class trip
Mercedes T180
© press-inform – the press office
Anyone who finds a Renault Kangoo too French and a Nissan Townstar too unfamiliar can now also get into a Mercedes. Admittedly, the new T-Class is actually a Kangoo – but it also has star genes.
Whether the new T-Class fits into Mercedes’ luxury strategy, which is being proclaimed more and more loudly, remains to be seen. In any case, the Mercedes T-Class is a vehicle with which the Swabians lure customers who would otherwise not even begin to dream of a star warrior. The station wagon versions are still called T-classes at Mercedes, but this T-class is something completely different. It is about a high-roof station wagon with a ski boot look that was ridiculed by many and loved by at least as many because of its practical qualities, which was previously only available as a Mercedes commercial vehicle called the Citan. The two sliding doors are also mandatory for the T-model, but unfortunately they cannot be operated electrically due to the sensitive price segment and are a real benefit when you have to heave large objects such as child seats into the rear.
First of all, the Mercedes T-Class is only available with a short wheelbase, which makes the entire model 4.50 meters long. The XL variant will follow next year with 40 centimeters more space and seating for seven people. Mothers in particular love the low loading sill, which is only 56 centimeters high, but they too will be annoyed that the powerful tailgate cannot even be operated electrically for a surcharge. However, a variable seat configuration and a load compartment that can be expanded from around 750 to up to 3,500 liters in just a few simple steps are standard. In addition, there are various storage compartments with a total volume of almost 50 liters in the area of the front and rear seats. The maximum loading length is 1.80 meters – that’s just as practical and gives you new options when visiting the hardware store or enjoying large-scale leisure activities.
When it comes to drives, the customer does not have much choice, which is typical for a Mercedes. In any case, many will have to wait until the end of the year for the electric version of the Mercedes EQT, which will then be powered purely electrically, just like its competitors from the Stellantis Group (Peugeot, Citroen, Opel). Until then, there is hardly any way around the Mercedes T 180, because private customers probably do not need a diesel, given the manageable mileage, and the 102 hp T 160 offers a little less of the drive for action that is only manageable anyway. So get into the Mercedes T 180, which is powered by a 1.4 liter four-cylinder with 96 kW / 131 hp. The maximum torque of 240 Nm from 1,600 rpm is not much these days, but it is definitely enough to get the front-wheel drive vehicle moving quickly. City centre, country road or motorway – nothing more needs to be in this league. The T 180 performs particularly well in the medium speed range and the interaction with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is exemplary. On the other hand, you quickly get used to the slightly grumpy engine noise under load. After all, despite its 131 hp and 184 km/h top speed, the Mercedes T 180 isn’t designed for endless stretches of motorway, but rather a familiar load master that shines in and around the city. The standard consumption of the German-French is 6.8 liters per 100 kilometers.
The Mercedes T-Class is currently the cheapest way to transport your family and luggage with a star. There is enough space inside, clear instruments and a back seat that could be more comfortable. The basic price for the 102 hp Mercedes T 160 is just under 30,000 euros and the better T 180 costs 32,487 euros as a 131 hp edition variant with the more than recommendable dual-clutch transmission. But its standard equipment is more than poor. So there are analogue instruments, a seven-inch screen without a navigation module, a basic package of safety details and LED headlights in front. It looks better in the equipment variants Style (from 1,879 euros) or Progressive (from 3,633 euros), which, among other things, bring self-evident features such as dark tinted windows in the rear, aluminum rims, LED taillights or a navigation system in the city van. However, USB interfaces in the rear, heated front seats, folding mirrors or keyless access have to be ordered, so that the 40,000 euro mark is reached faster than expected.