We shot a long video on the differences a few years back. Probably a good reminder to update it. What we tell people:
1) Obviously, it's a new vehicle - AC, quiet ride, airbags, performance
2) The interior is actually smaller - we feel like it's about 18% small cubic volume and most of that is because the Vanagon was so lovely boxy (although now the I carefully read the OP - they are talking about Eurovan, but I think the volume thing still holds).
3) The pop top is actually comfortable to sleep in for adults!!
4) The lower bed is way better the the Eurovans (better than the vanagons, but not as big a difference)
5) Moving the seat is great!

Keep the list going!

 

Do you mind sharing how much you paid for the 2021 Getaway? I am puzzled that carbuzz.com shows the MSRP $35,580 but many blogs I read said it will cost over $70,000. Thanks!

 

That MSRP is the base van. The upfit package is about 25k. You can price a van at retail on mbvans.com. They have the Driverge package and the options listed out with prices.

As far as on lot prices go I've seen below MSRP a couple of times in some off markets and way over MSRP in others. Supply and demand I guess.

 

My 2021 Getaway was about 86K out the door. I ordered it Dec. 2020 and got it in July 2021.

 

36k is a decent white cargo van like mine, passenger vehicles are more expensive. ( no bare metal interior, extra seating, etc ) … before a travel van conversion.

 

Just got back from an 1100 mile road trip in the Colorado mountains. Fuel efficiency ranged between 20 and 27 mpg.
Although I found the control lever for the cruise control to be awkwardly placed (I kept flashing the headlights instead of adjusting the cruise), it worked flawlessly in all the uphills and downhills, resulting in very little braking required. I also really like the fact that you can adjust speed in 5 mph increments with just a flick of the switch.
Another nice thing I learned is that the intermittent windshield wipers are moisture sensitive so I did not have to keep adjusting them due to constantly changing rain/road spray.

 

I loved the downhill speed control on my summer trip, but I am wondering about brake wear. They front rotors seem more worn than they should be for 28,000 miles, but I haven't owned a merc since the '91 190 I bought for my boys in high school.

 

When cruising the freeway, I found a couple of times when signaling to go into the right lane that I just sped up instead! I now have a rubber band around the end of the speed control so the different feel is a reminder.

 

Yes, that and hitting resume on a 25 MPH street after getting off the freeway.

 

It should be noted that MB has moved that stalk around a few degrees to avoid it being hidden and the accidental taps.

Coming from a different brand vehicle it takes a little getting used to.

Also light touch adds 1 mph, firm touch adds 5 mph.

Light touch on the turn signal makes it blink three times for a lane change and done.

 

Light touch yes (1 km/h in Canada) but firm touch rounds it to the next 10 km/h, e.g., from 83 or 87 to 90. Wish it did increment by 10 as my speedo reads 3 high so I have to then tap it up to 93 to actually do 90. Then to resume to 80, it's two hard down and three light up. Maybe I'll just get some bigger tires...

 

We purchased a new MB Metris Getaway in May 2021. Yes, it’s different from the VW weekender packages in some ways that are disappointing. There are no interior lights in the cabin area. So when using the awkward back seat table, there is no illumination. I’m still looking for a rechargeable LED light bar that can be adhered to the fabric-y walls.

 

We use 2 of these battery powered lights to provide light in the cabin area. They have 3 light level settings and the batteries have lasted 6 months so far. They hook into the AC
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vent slats and are a good, inexpensive solution.

 

I've been thinking about lighting under the top bed. I think it would be simple to add a magnetic light.

 

We just picked up our 2021 Peace Vans Weekender and my #1 complaint currently is the lack of lights in the rear grab handles. My understanding is that these lights used to be available separately as option LC6. But now when I look in the model year 2021 dealer ordering guide, that option is only available as part of the C10 premium interior package:

Needless to say, I am researching alternatives. I'd love to figure out something that looks close to factory and might even operate on the door switch, but that's probably a long shot.

 

So you don't have the LED lights like KJT has?

Is this a PV Weekender vs the Getaway?

 

Our Driverge van has same lack of interior lighting. We had shopped at three different dealerships. The first two vans we looked at had the lighting, and we failed to notice the lack of lights in the one we bought until after purchase. For now, we are using puck shaped LED lights that we purchased from Amazon. They are USB rechargeable. We applied the magnetic mounts to the flat area right next to grab handles. Not the most elegant solution but we do like the 3-way switch (on,off,motion).

 

No lights in those passenger handles is a serious usability & passenger comfort oversight. Unless maybe for privacy to not light up the inside of the van when a door is opened. But I would have expected these to be standard on a passenger Metris? My town&country I bought in 2000 had those, click on/off as reading light or came on with an open door.

What about those blank squares next to the handle or the ac/heating duct?

Alternatively ... dimmable LED light strips or full band around, on a bendable straight edge tucked into a trim gasket or anything with an edge?

 

No lights in those passenger handles is a serious usability & passenger comfort oversight. Unless maybe for privacy to not light up the inside of the van when a door is opened. But I would have expected these to be standard on a passenger Metris? My town&country I bought in 2000 had those, click on/off as reading light or came on with an open door.

What about those blank squares next to the handle or the ac/heating duct?

Alternatively ... dimmable LED light strips or full band around, on a bendable straight edge tucked into a trim gasket or anything with an edge?

It's my understanding that the van had two additional overhead dome lights, but those were obviously removed when the roof was cut out.

I popped off one of those squares and had no idea what I was looking at underneath and I couldn't immediately think of any way to make use of it. With the cover on it would be a decent place to mount a puck light, but I don't care for how they look.

I have a couple of LED strip lights on the way that I will experiment with, just above the trim gasket as you suggested. I'll report back if they turn out any good.

I'm not sure if any 2021 van came with Distronic. It was in the DOG, but delayed. I wanted this also and decided against a 2021 because I could not order it.

Your mirrors fold.

Our 2021 van came with Distronic.