2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van

The full-fledged vans can be defined as a big box on wheels, but competition is stiff even of these versatile boxes. The market is packed with decent performers like the Ford Transit, Nissan NV since they were the first to enter this uncharted territory.

The American born GMC Savana is also a prominent name and ready to fight it out with the Mercedes Benz Sprinter.

Starting at the base cost of $38,630, they are Mercedes Sprinter is a workhorse. With the freight form, you get space for 2 fringes and the remainder of the lodge is saved for payload.

Its offered in 3 lengths and 2 statues, in any case, you don't have any decision in the motor however you get the discretionary 4 wheel drive on the Normal Sprinter Cargo. The Worker payload is accessible in only one white shading with nobody shading guards, while the ordinary form gets the choice.

Trim	Cargo
MSRP	$38,630
Key Features	LT215/85R16 Tires
	16 X 8.5 In. Wheels
	Stabilizer Bar Stabilizer Bar
	Driver's Seat Plus
	Air Conditioning
	Overhead Console With Storage
	Front Cupholders
	Front Door Pockets
	Power Steering
	Turn Signal In Mirrors
	Tilt-Adjustable Steering Wheel
	Transmission Controls On Steering Wheel

We Recommend

Buy the Sprinter with an extended wheelbase and high roof option if passengers want that extra space. Also, the 2500 trim will meet all your needs.

Starting from the $38,630 the Mercedes Sprinter is backed with a 3.0l V6 engine paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission. The engine cranks out 188 horsepower and 325-pound feet of torque. Though it gets the right engine dynamics but generates low power. Other vans comes with a V8 which gives them an edge while acceleration too. 

Models	Mercedes Benz sprinter cargo 3500XD	Ford Transit Cargo Van T-350 130	Nissan NV Cargo 3500 S	GMC Savana cargo 3500
MSRP	$38,630	$40,200	$34,140	$34,615
Engine	3.0L V6	3.7L V6	5.6L V8	4.3L V6
Transmission	5-speed automatic	6-speed automatic	7-speed automatic	6-speed automatic
Horsepower	188 hp @ 3800 rpm	275 hp @ 6000 rpm	375 hp @ 5800 rpm	276 hp @ 5400 rpm
Torque	325 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm	260 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	387 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	298 lb-ft @ 4600 rpm

It's clear that the Sprinter is as any expensive worker vans get today. But you don't get the adequate cost performance in that retrospect. All 3 cars in the lot drill out nearly 300 horsepower while the Sprinter struggle to give 200 ponies.

Acceleration

Though the Sprinter weighs over 2 tons, from a standstill this juggernaut can propel to the speed of 60 in 11.2 seconds. Not a compelling number, to be honest, the rivals attain a similar speed in less time.

Initially, the Sprinter acceleration feels a little sluggish, it takes 18.3 seconds to hit the quarter-mile light. Slower than the other competitors but is serviceable for the boxy vans category.

Models	Mercedes Benz sprinter cargo 3500XD	Ford Transit Cargo Van T-150 130	Nissan NV Cargo 3500 S	GMC Savana Cargo 3500XD
0-60 MPH	11.2	7.5	7.5	8.4
Quarter mile	18.3	15.9	15.9	16.5
Engine	3.0L	3.7L	4.0L	4.8L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

The Mercedes Benz Sprinter weak V6 drops its germ on the acceleration. The slothful 11.4-second performance is too long even for this elephant of a car. All cars in the competition finish their bid under 10 seconds. The same goes for the quarter-mile run as well.

Ride and Handling

The engine might not share the same take-off demeanor as its rivals but it fulfills its purpose. Engineers at the Mercedes factory build it for long cruising. The initial response in the first gear is low and increases after that. Its maximum potential is unleashed on the fifth gear.

The load adaptive electric stability system keeps the Sprinter's handling stable and simple. The longer wheelbase gives it a wider turning radius and the big body makes it difficult to park in tight places. Sprinter gets one up on visibility with its big windshield.

Braking

On the off chance that the Metris is a raptor the Sprinter is a T-Rex, its 5,037 pounds of weight makes it unusual for the payload van's class. In any case, vehicles like Nissan NV and GMC Savana are all the more uncompromising vehicles with enormous strength.

Model	Mercedes Benz sprinter cargo 3500XD	Ford Transit Cargo Van T-150 130"	Nissan NV Cargo 3500 S	GMC Savana Cargo 3500XD
Brake Front (in.)	N/A	12.1	14.2	12.8
Brake Rear (in.)	N/A	12.1	14.4	13.0
Curb Weight (lbs.)	5,037	4,998	5,806	5,345
60-0 MPH (ft.)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

The fact that vans do not report to EPA feds keeps its mileage in the haze. Though tank capacity is a tad lower than what other vans deliver, but that won’t affect you in any way. 

Model	Mercedes Benz sprinter cargo 3500XD	Ford Transit Cargo Van T-150 130"	Nissan NV Cargo 3500 S	GMC Savana cargo 3500
MPG (city)	14	14	27	11
MPG (highway)	NA	18	NA	17
MPG (combined)	NA	16	NA	16

This van ferry cargo and passengers as well, which means long hours of travel and ensuring proper care. So, no matter how much load can a van pulls it also needs to be comfortable. While the seats on the Sprinter are comfortable, it's just for a time being, give it a few hours and you will start to feel the distress of seat stiffness.

While the Mercedes is known for its plush and comfortable cabins there is nothing similar in the Sprinter. Though, still, the quality is a little upmarket but nothing more. The rear cabin is taken care of the utility while the front section is reserved from the driver and the wingman. Both seats get maximum space with 47.1 inches of headroom, 38.9 inches of legroom, and 67.7 inches of shoulder room space.

Model	Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500	Ford Transit T-150 130	Nissan NV 1500 S	GMC Savana 2500
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	47.1/67.7/38.9	40.8/67.9/39.7	42.8/65.7/42.0	39.8/68.8/41.3
Rear (Head/Shoulder/Leg)	61.4/39.1/70.2	41.1/33.6/71.3	38.4/36.3./68.6	39.6/33.9/69.2

Sprinter's cabin is bigger and better than the competition. The 5 people boarding the Sprinter will receive a healthy cabin space. Others remain inches back and pull off a similar sense of seating space.

Interior Features

• Parametric Special Module (PSM)
• Cargo Straps/Lashing Rails
• Light Motion Sensor For Load Compartment
• Leather Steering Wheel (MB ONLY)
• Cargo Partition W/1 Sliding Window
• 12V Power Outlet In Rear Compartment
• Pre-Installation Becker Map Pilot Navigation System
• Front Center Overhead Storage Slot
• Convenience Lighting In Load/Passenger Compartment
• Passenger Comfort Seat
• Half Height Load Compartment Trim
• Cruise Control
• Heated Driver's Seat
• Upper Cargo Lashing Rails
• Cargo Partition W/1 Window

Infotainment

Inside the cabin, you will happenstance a number of switches. You get a standard 5.8-inch standard infotainment screen, Bluetooth connectivity, auxiliary inputs, and 5-audio speakers. The active phone integration features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were absent from the standard feature list. Other controls sit in the vicinity of the driver eliminating any distractions to keep the driver focused on the road.

Cargo volume

Think of the  Sprinter as a gigantic box with 5 crew seats, the empty space could be either customizable to become a service vehicle. The Mercedes Euro boxy design gives it the best of the 259 cubic feet of cargo space. So, the Sprinter's appetite for cargo might exceed the normal shopper's demands.

Model	Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500	Ford Transit T-150	Nissan NV 1500 S	GMC Savana 2500
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	259	246.0	234.1	239.7

All 4 vans were built to swallow cargo, but in this fatal 4-way, Mercedes 259 cubic feet is a bar others just wish to achieve. The closest was the Ford Transit with its 246 cubic feet of cargo space. Furthermore, both the Nissan NV and the GMC Savana propel on the same cargo volume.

Towing Capacity

Not everyone wants to live or move luggage in the Sprinter, some small businessman also uses it for pulling loads. As a package, the Sprinter delivers 3 different trailering capacities. So, at the minimum, you will get a van capable of dragging 5,000 pounds at the minimum. Though it's a stunning 2.5 tons of weight it still isn't enough to please the market.

Model	Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2500	Ford Transit T-150 130	Nissan NV 1500 S	GMC Savana 2500
Maximum Towing Capacity	5000 lbs	5200	6900 lbs	10000 lbs

The GMC Savana might look old but it's the king of the hill when comes to trailering stuff. Its 10000 pounds of trailering capacity is double of what the Sprinter offers. Other, vans like the Nissan NV can also trailer much more. The remaining two can tow a similar 5000 pounds of weight.

Based on the classic big box on wheels, the Sprinter brought the zest of versatility to this workaholic class. To sum up the look, it still has the same humongous body with a short nose. The design is clean, with the Mercedes emblem dominating the overall look. Buyers get a rear side slider door option and a 270-degree opening the rear gate.

It's a big van and a utilitarian at the core, hence the buy is more concerned with the inside rather than the external appearance. However, its 233.3 inches of length, 95.5 inches of width, and 94.5 inches of height make it the biggest vans in the market today.

Model	Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500	Ford Transit Van T-150 130	Nissan NV 1500 S	GMC Savana 2500
Curb weight (lbs.)	5,049	4,866	5,817	5,225
Length(in)	233.3	219.9	240.6	224.1
Width(in)	95.5	81.3	79.9	79.2
Height(in)	94.5	83.6	83.6	84.6
Ground clearance (in) F/R	7.9/7.9	N/A	8.1/8.1	11.0/7.1
Wheelbase (in)	144.3	129.9	146.1	135.0
Track width (in) F/R	67.9/68.1	68.2/68.6	68.7/68.9	N/A

The Nissan NV might be the longer van but the Sprinter is the biggest boxy van in the lot. The trio of Transit, Nissan NV, and the GMC Savana remains inches shorter than the Sprinter. It also featured a larger wheelbase which encourages a wider turning radius.

Exterior Features

• Two-Stage Opening Sliding Door
• Painted Metallic Front & Rear Bumper
• High Roof
• Fixed Window In Left Sliding Door
• Wheel Chocks
• Arctic White Painted Wheels
• Headlamp Washing System
• Heated And Electrically Adjustable Exterior Mirrors
• Light Alloy Wheels
• Rear Door Window W/Wash Wipers
• Right Rear Door Badging Deletion
• Wheel House Covering
• Assist Handle For Left Rear Door
• Electric Sliding Step
• Windshield W/Filter Band
• Grey Rear Door Step

The Sprinter has not undergone any third party crash testing, so there is no credible seal of approval on the Sprinter. Still, Mercedes Benz infused a lot of safety features on the standard list for this van. You get Crosswind to assist for the narrow Sprinter design, load adaptive electronic stability, rescue assist, attention assist and more.

• Crosswind Assist
• Load adaptive electronic stability program (ESP)
• Attention Assist
• Rescue Assist
• Lane keep assist
• Collision Prevention Assist
• Blindspot assist
• Rearview camera

Ford Transit Vs Sprinter

Priced the same the Ford transit has a nice threshold in the full-fledged vans market. You don't get a lot with the Transit but the van can hold its own against the Sprinter. Ford backed the Transit with a more potent inline 8-cylinder engine. You get more horsepower on the Transit which in turn delivers better acceleration.

However, Sprinter is the bigger van between the two offerings more cargo but falls behind in towing things. So, the choice is clear buyers looking for more power and towing capacity can go for the Transit while the ones seeking more space and cabin quality are better off with the Sprinter.

Nissan NV Vs Sprinter

Nissan NV is one of those few vans delivering true bang for your buck. It's priced the lowest and is backed with more power, better acceleration, and towing. Even in the market full of competitive vans like the Sprinter, the Nissan NV stands right into the market norms.

The only place it lags is the scarcity of active driver assistance features which the Sprinter is flooded with. To be straight, Mercedes delivered a sweet deal with the Sprinter but Nissan did it better. With a price difference of almost $10,000 the NV wraps everything the Sprinter promises.

GMC Savana Vs Sprinter

Pitting the GMC Savana with the Mercedes Sprinter is like comparing two different generations. It might have the brute strength to trailer 10,000 pounds but at the same time, it's still living with an ancient design. Also, you won't get as many features in the Savana as you get on the Sprinter.

You will have the power but with get a shorter cabin, a mummified body, and lesser options to personalize your van. You are better off with the Sprinter on this one.

It might come with the Mercedes badge but the Sprinter is a barebone worker van at its heart. You won't find any extravagant features or Mercedes's usual lush cabin. In fact, the only thing Sprinter shares with other Mercedes is the tri-star logo. You get a lot of options to customize your Sprinter with the 3 options of wheelbase and 2 height options.

However, the engine lacks the necessary power for both acceleration and trailering events. The one strong point for the Sprinter is massive walk-through cabin space and immense size. It's the biggest van on the market right now. As a package the Sprinter delivers everything on par and in some areas gives more than what's needed, but the heavy price tag is what's pulling it down.