(upbeat music)
(whistling)
- [Narrator] A versatile MPV and a pickup are both
high on the wish lists for many of us as a vehicle
for the mountain biking life.
But which is the ultimate mountain biker's vehicle?
(whistling)
(doors closing)
- Neil, right, do you know what? I find it
really hard to find the correct vehicle
to cater for my mountain biking life.
- I think riding a bike has a big influence
on what vehicle you choose.
It's also got to work for normal life,
kids, other sports even.
So with the help of Mercedes, we put
two popular vehicles head to head, trying to
find the ultimate mountain biker's vehicle.
(rock music)
- So why would you choose a pickup over a van?
Well, for me, I'm a outdoors kind of guy.
I love biking, I love the woodlands.
Now the best thing about this vehicle is it's utilitarian.
(rock music)
- [Neil] Although a pickup has that rugged cool,
it's not necessary that practical as a day to day vehicle
for, say, a rider with the family,
which is where MPVs come in.
Combining the practicality of a family car
with the flexibility of a van, they can do
most things riders would ask of them.
That's the theory anyway.
- [Blake] So, Neil and I have borrowed an example of each
from Mercedes-Benz: a pickup and an MPV.
So we're going to put them through a sequence
of really rigorous challenges to find out which one is best.
- This is the Mercedes V class; their popular MPV.
- My vehicle of choice is a Mercedes X class;
it's the pickup.
- From afar, it looks like a van but the closer you get
the more you see a very classy car
with a premium interior, it's very flexible and modular.
(rock music)
- Okay, this is not an ordinary farm pickup truck,
one that gets mud plugged all day carrying cows.
No, at the end of the day, this thing is still
a Mercedes-Benz and it is plush through and through.
Dashboard looks like something out of space age,
it's beautiful.
(beep)
- [Neil] All right, enough Blake,
how easy is it to get your bikes into?
(trumpet music)
- Now the best thing about this thing is instead of
chucking your dirty mountain bike in the back
of a nice, clean van, you can just chuck it
in the trunk there and it gets a free wash when
a rainy day like this.
Nice, you just flip the heaters on and you're warm!
It is as simple as A-B-C 1-2-3 loading your bikes up
into the back of the pickup.
You simply lift up your bike, place it in the back,
and strap it up with the straps provided
with the tailgate pad, and away you go, easy.
- [Neil] So you could, as with any vehicle I suppose,
stick a tow bar on or a rear-mounted bike rack,
but personally, I'd rather keep my pride and joy
inside the vehicle and use this like a minivan.
Uh, yes, our bikes are a bit dirty, it's been
very wet this week here in, uh, Portugal.
So in this case, I've removed the back row seats.
There's loads of different ways of securing your bike
into the back of a van.
Normally I'll strap it to the side,
but in this case because we left
the second row of seats in, we just took out
the front wheels and then strapped them in moto style.
One strap on either side of the handlebars,
and one on the back wheel.
It literally takes less than a minute,
the bikes are super secure, they're not going to roll around
in the back of the van and damage each other.
In an MPV, you can carry bikes however you choose,
inside, on a rear or tow hitch mounted rack,
or on a roof rack.
And with modular seating, you can configure them
in pretty much any way you wish.
- [Blake] It's super, super easy just to chuck
your dirty bike into the back of the pickup.
It makes packing up post ride simple and hassle-free.
Using the tailgate protector is a must
to keep both your pickup and bikes in pristine condition.
Plus, it's super easy to wash down afterwards.
Look at this endless amount of room in the rear.
Now this is a five seater so that means you can bring
four mates along with you with five bikes in the back.
How good is that?
A lot of room.
Or, if you want a little more room,
leave one of your mates in back so you can have
two in the back here, they can have a lot more room,
and you can put your helmets there and it all gravy, baby.
Just pump in the tunes and the bikes in the back,
it just looks mountain bike.
Now let's go to the back to see all those bikes.
Okay, now the back with all your mates
and all the bikes, well, you can fit five bikes
in here quite comfortably and snug as well.
But I haven't got five, or four friends
I've only got myself and Neil, so you can fit
two bikes in quite comfortably.
And right here - look at this - all this dirt
is dripping outside, not inside your
lovely little van, whereas this super easy.
Now though the one thing is, Neil's probably going to go
"I can get changed in the van when it's raining,
I can get in the van and get changed, nice and warm."
Well, we don't have that option right now.
Just got to man up and do it outside.
But you can chuck all your dirty gear in there
and then just jet wash that clean, easy, look at that!
And it looks mountain bike.
That, to me, is mountain bike.
- So this vehicle comes with eight seats
now I've got five with space in the back.
I can put two bikes, bike bags, water.
I reckon I could fit five bikes and kit in this car.
But I think if I leave all eight seats in,
if I take the wheels out of the bikes,
I could probably get two bikes in as well.
So you've all this space in the back for bikes,
boards, anything you want, plus you've got room
for kits or mates if you've got any of those.
And check out the interior - this is very posh.
It's a bit like a Mercedes car, not like any old van.
And, it's very comfy, so I win that one.
(upbeat music)
- Versatility means that with an MPV, you can do
the school run during the week, then easily
load up your bike and buddies,
bikes and gear on the weekend.
Happily taking up to five people and bikes inside.
Being able to take out all the rear seats
also means you can use it just like a van when you need to.
- [Blake] You can get pickups in a crew cab or single cab.
Crew cabs can carry up to five people and bikes.
A single cab is limited to just two people
but still has a capacity to take five bikes.
So for more versatility, I would say go for
the crew cab pickup.
- What if we want to go to the cafe after the ride?
- Well
- You're going to need a lock.
- Ah, yeah, about that.
That's an issue, Neil, that's an issue.
Go ahead- hey, hang on!
(rock music)
- [Neil] It's a good thing about vans, leaving bikes in vans
isn't the safest, but it's still a bit more secure
than the back of a pickup truck.
If you carry your bikes inside an MPV, your pride and joy
will be far less noticeable to randoms
and it will also help the fuel efficiency on longer drives,
as it will keep your vehicle's aerodynamics unchanged.
(guitar music)
- [Blake] Although nothing says "mountain biker"
more than a pickup with bikes racked up over the tailgate,
your bikes are on display all the time.
So they're harder to keep hidden from thieving eyes.
You can buy a canopy or a truck cap to go over the back
and keep everything enclosed to solve this.
(guitar music)
We're in the Mercedes-Benz X class 250-D 4 matic.
This thing's a six speed manual gear box.
You can get an automatic, but I've gone for the manual.
- This V class has got the 250D diesel engine in it.
With a 9G tronic nine speed automatic gear box.
But you've also got this dynamic select
to go from eco, to comfort up to sport or even manual
where I can use these little paddles
behind the steering wheel should you wish.
(guitar music)
Top speed of 205 kilometers and hour.
- The top speed on this vehicle is 180 kilometers an hour.
- It's 0 to 100 kilometers an hour time is 9.4 seconds.
- Now, 0 to 100 kilometers an hour,
that is 11.1 seconds.
Now, I feel like that might be a little bit slower
than the van, but it doesn't matter.
I've got four wheel drive, that means
there's power to all four wheels.
(guitar music)
- It's also got quite a frugal engine speed there,
for what is quite a big vehicle.
It's combined consumption is 5.9 liters
per hundred kilometers, or 47.88 miles per gallon.
- The combined fuel consumption in this vehicle
is 7.9 liters per hundred kilometers.
Now, in miles per gallon that is 35.76 miles per gallon.
That's not bad for a vehicle of this stature.
- [Neil] MPVs are generally more fuel efficient and faster
than heavier pickups, thanks to their lighter weights
and a wide range of engine options to choose from.
- [Blake] Modern pickups aren't sluggish,
but are generally less efficient than a van or MPV.
With lower MPG numbers, slower top speeds and acceleration.
But, saying that, a pickup's towing capacity
can also be two to three times greater
than an MPV or van's.
(guitar music)
That's great if you're really hauling.
- Off road capabilities - well, this V class
is just rear wheel drive, and did I mention it's very posh?
It's very nice.
So it can take a bit of mild fire roads I suppose
but proper off road capabilities for going out
into the wilderness maybe not quite as good as Blake's.
- This is what makes this car more utilitarian
for a mountain biker.
Why?
Because you can go off road in this beast.
There's a lot of clearance underneath,
you can just flick it into four wheel drive
when you get into a bit of a sticky situation,
when you're trying to get to the trail head
you just flick this switch just here to four high
or if you're in a very, very, very dire place
and it's a bit snowy
you can just chuck it into four low.
That locks those difs and you can get out,
whereas the van - it's just rear wheel drive.
You're stuck there.
It's all about the pickup.
Tell you what, Neil's going to love this.
Off road, what the X class is all about.
Neil, you ready for this?
- [Neil] Are we going up there?
Where's the trail?
- [Blake] It's up this fire road, all the way
to the top.
- All right.
- And it's raining.
- It is raining.
- Has that got 4 matic in it?
- It's got a very nice stereo, so I'm going to go steady
and enjoy a stereo, and don't drive like a hooligan.
- I'll try not to, Neil, I will try not to.
I'll see you at the top Neil!
(laughing)
(guitar music)
Woo hoo!
Oh man, look!
(guitar music)
Muddy puddle, no worries.
(splashing)
(classical music)
- [Neil] All right, yes, I probably could go
a little bit faster up this fire road
but I'll let my speed talk when it comes to riding a bike.
- [Blake] Where is Neil?
It's like taking forever, it's stupid.
(classical music)
Hey finally Neil, where have you been?
- It's not a race.
Give him a Mercedes, he thinks he's Louis Hamilton.
- Yeah well you know off roading to rain and stuff.
- Anyway I was in comforts, all right?
- It does look nice.
- Was that in two wheel drive, or four wheel drive?
- This was in two wheel drive, Neil.
It wasn't that bad coming up here, but it is
going to get bad when you go further up.
But the trail's just over that way, anyway.
- All right then, fine, I'll leave it there.
- Yeah, it's fine there, Neil.
- [Neil] MPVs are generally two wheel drive,
with lower ground clearances than pickups.
So aren't as off road capable as the dedicated
four by four when headed away from the tarmac.
But they're just fine for fire roads and light off roading,
like getting off the trail head or to an event.
Just be careful when things are wet or icy.
- [Blake] Pickups can be a cost-effective route
to owning a proper four by four.
It will get you through most off road challenges
that both the terrain and weather can throw at you.
Their increased ground clearance also means you
won't need to worry about bashing
the bottom of your vehicle off.
- Right.
Practicalities of vehicles.
That is virtually a camper van
- [Blake] Yeah.
- A very posh camper van, I could take all those
backseats out of there
- Yeah.
- Stick a mattress in
- Yeah.
- Take bikes, take surf boards, take the kids.
- Yup.
- You're not going to sleep in that, unless it's very sunny.
- I'm not going to sleep in that, Neil,
and if I take the kid - I've got one child -
he can fit in there.
I just, I can't sleep in it.
- Yeah.
- That's one thing I can't do.
But practical?
- Yeah.
- I think this is way more practical.
- I mean, you don't mind your bikes getting so muddy
and chucking them in the back there, do ya?
- No.
- You can just hose the whole thing off.
- Literally if you put it on your lovely carpet
in the back of that, it's going to be dirty
and muddy and stink isn't it?
- You do need to clean it up.
- Now look at that - just jet wash there.
You can wash the bikes in there, on the back of your truck.
- I always think pickups like with a pad on the back,
bikes in the back, people know you're a mountain biker.
But, what in situations where you don't want
to look like a mountain biker?
Maybe if you're trying to keep your bikes
on the down low for security, maybe?
- Security, ah yes.
I think, again, Neil, that is not very secure.
Unless you had a big chain and still locked it up
but your bikes are still on show, Neil.
- But it does look cool.
- You're winning there again.
Yes it does look cool, I'm winning there for sure.
I think a pickup's way more cooler than your car.
- Well, I think it looks cool, that is a cool car as well.
There's a huge range of MPVs to choose from
and they're a more practical day to day driving choice.
Especially if you live in towns or cities.
They're also really at home and comfortable
for long drives and are super versatile
as you can easily configure the seats however you need.
Internal carpets can be more of a challenge
to clean up, though, after muddy bikes and gear.
But you can get boot liners to solve this.
- [Blake] Pickups very from super practical
to high-end luxury options, and everything in between.
So there's plenty of choice out there.
They're generally less maneuverable than a van
or an MPV in towns or cities.
A pickup is more at home in rural environments
or in the mountains.
But, bear in mind, as stock, pickups have little
covered cargo storage, which can be an issue
for keeping bikes or gear protected from the elements.
But, like I've said, you can buy a canopy
or a truck cap to solve this.
They're super easy to keep clean
and they're way cooler than a van or MPV.
- What about the tech heads, the gadget nerds like myself?
I like to have a good sound system, a big
wide screen sat nav.
- Yeah.
- A 360 camera.
- Yeah, well I have a nice sound system, Neil.
I don't have sat nav, and I don't have 360 cameras,
because, you know, I'm not in
the urban environment that much.
I'm always up in the mountains.
- You've got lane assist.
- I have got lane assist, that is good
because of the long journeys to the mountains.
- Do not work here, coming down the fire road.
- It does not work here, Neil.
(guitar music)
- [Neil] MPVs generally will be packed with all
the gadgets and options you'd expect from a modern car.
Good for me, less so for Blake.
- [Blake] Although mine isn't, but you can absolutely
get a gadget packed pickup out there.
But, no lane assist works on fire roads.
It's sad, but it's true.
- [Neil] So what is the proper vehicle for a mountain biker?
- Rugged, functional all terrain, Neil.
You get to see a lot of these in the United States.
- I think, actually, climate's got a lot to do with it.
Cause in the UK, you see way more people with vans
because it's wet, it's cold, you can chuck your bikes
in there, you can get changed in there.
- You can actually get changed in there, yeah.
- So, right now I think I'm sticking with the van.
- Yeah, no, I'm going to stick with this, Neil.
I can get to the top.
- Maybe the ultimate mountain biker's vehicle is that
because it also comes with 239 horsepower engine.
- Oh, really?
- Pretty fast.
- That's pretty top trumpy, but I can top trump that.
This V6, 254 brake horsepower, Neil.
- Well, you're going to lose some MPGs, phew.
- I'll be getting there faster, too, to a petrol station.
- [Neil] But the numbers don't lie,
so without further ado, who won?
While Blake's pickup put up a good fight
and notched up two round wins and one draw.
Whereas I and my MPV drew once,
but won four out of the seven rounds,
for a pretty convincing overall win.
So there you have it, today the MPV is
the ultimate mountain biker's vehicle.
(rock music)
- Right, thanks Mercedes.
And if you want to see some more videos from GMBN
over there for things I wish I know about mountain biking,
before i started.
- Give us a thumbs up, like if you like this sort of stuff.
We'll see you next time.
See ya.
- Let us know your ultimate mountain biking vehicle
down in the comments section.