2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　

What's new

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is new for 2019Updated engines, new interior tech and fresh stylingPart of the third Sprinter generation introduced for 2019

　　New for 2019, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a cargo/passenger van with some of the most modern tech available today and all of the utility that you could ask for in a big, boxy rig.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 144" WB Cargo 3dr Van (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　Not Available  for Sprinter 1500 144" WB Cargo

　　Sprinter 1500 144" WB Cargo

　　1500 144" WB Cargo 3dr Van (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $33,790 MSRP2500 144" WB Cargo 3dr Van (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $34,990 MSRP2500 144" WB Cargo 3dr Van (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $39,790 MSRP2500 144" WB Cargo 3dr Van 4WD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $47,590 MSRP2500 170" WB Cargo 3dr Van w/High Roof (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $40,190 MSRP2500 170" WB Cargo 3dr Van w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $44,990 MSRP2500 170" WB Cargo 3dr Ext Van w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $46,790 MSRP2500 170" WB Cargo 3dr Van 4WD w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $52,790 MSRP2500 170" WB Cargo 3dr Ext Van 4WD w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $54,590 MSRP2500 144" WB Crew 3dr Van w/High Roof (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $41,290 MSRP2500 144" WB Crew 3dr Van w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $46,090 MSRP2500 144" WB Crew 3dr Van 4WD w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $53,890 MSRP1500 144" WB Passenger 3dr Van w/High Roof (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $42,990 MSRP2500 144" WB Passenger 3dr Van w/High Roof (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $44,190 MSRP2500 144" WB Passenger 3dr Van w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $48,990 MSRP2500 144" WB Passenger 3dr Van 4WD w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $56,790 MSRP2500 170" WB Crew 3dr Van w/High Roof (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $44,290 MSRP2500 170" WB Crew 3dr Van w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) (Most Popular) - $49,090 MSRP2500 170" WB Crew 3dr Van 4WD w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $56,890 MSRP3500XD 144" WB Cargo 3dr Van DRW (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $44,390 MSRP3500XD 144" WB Cargo 3dr Van 4WD DRW (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $52,190 MSRP3500 144" WB Cargo 3dr Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $44,790 MSRP4500 144" WB Cargo 3dr Van DRW (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $46,390 MSRP3500 170" WB Cargo 3dr Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $47,290 MSRP3500 170" WB Cargo 3dr Ext Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $49,090 MSRP3500 144" WB Crew 3dr Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $48,390 MSRP2500 170" WB Passenger 3dr Van w/High Roof (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $48,790 MSRP2500 170" WB Passenger 3dr Van w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $53,590 MSRP3500XD 170" WB Cargo 3dr Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $49,590 MSRP3500XD 170" WB Cargo 3dr Ext Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $51,390 MSRP3500XD 170" WB Cargo 3dr Van 4WD DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $57,390 MSRP3500XD 170" WB Cargo 3dr Ext Van 4WD DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $59,190 MSRP3500XD 144" WB Crew 3dr Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $50,690 MSRP3500XD 144" WB Crew 3dr Van 4WD DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $58,490 MSRP3500 170" WB Crew 3dr Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $51,390 MSRP4500 170" WB Cargo 3dr Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $51,590 MSRP4500 170" WB Cargo 3dr Ext Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $53,390 MSRP4500 144" WB Crew 3dr Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $52,690 MSRP3500XD 170" WB Crew 3dr Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $53,690 MSRP3500XD 170" WB Crew 3dr Van 4WD DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $61,490 MSRP4500 170" WB Crew 3dr Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $55,690 MSRP

　　vs

　　$283/mo

　　Avg. Large Van

　　While Mercedes says the Sprinter is redesigned, it's been changed a bit in appearance, but it's mostly the same underneath. And that's a good thing. Sure, it gets new headlights and taillights, but the optional turbodiesel engine is still available and still provides enough power for respectable towing and hauling capability. Inside, the all-new Sprinter gets Mercedes' newest infotainment system, Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX), which has easy voice prompt controls and stunningly crisp graphics rendered on either a 7-inch or a 10.25-inch display.

　　As you'd expect from a top-notch van, there is a multitude of sizes and configurations to choose from. The Sprinter comes in four sizes, with three roof heights, two engines (including a fuel-efficient four-cylinder and a diesel-powered version) and three configurations available. You can have it with maximum cargo capacity or maximum passenger seating — whatever you need for your chauffeur business, your plumbing business, your adventure van, or your shuttle to and from the airport. This refined and classy vehicle offers all sorts of utility, and it truly outshines most other vans.

　　Everything else in its class is mostly utilitarian but not as nice on the inside. The Ford Transit is top-notch in most categories, but it doesn't reach the upscale levels that the Mercedes does. More robust vans such as the Chevrolet Express beat the Sprinter for towing capability but not for styles and variants. If you want the best van the market has to offer, go for the 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

　　

Driving

　　The Sprinter comes in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and it's available with two engines. On the small end of the spectrum, the Sprinter moves around quite well, with enough power to get things going. The larger Sprinters, however, can feel a bit heavy — an occupational hazard that most vans in this class suffer from. Getting around town will be relatively easy, though, and off-road capability is above average.

　　

Comfort

　　Passenger comfort is a priority for the Sprinter. Occupants will find ample space to spread out. The seats are reasonably comfortable over long distances. The ride quality improves as the passenger head count or payload (i.e., weight) increases.

　　

Interior

　　Proper build quality is one of the main reasons you'd want to consider the Mercedes in this segment. The materials are top-notch for the class, and this van feels very well put-together with no significant panel gaps or rattles. It also gets high marks for an abundance of front passenger space, an easy-to-use control layout and better-than-expected visibility.

　　

Utility

　　Especially in cargo or crew configuration, this Benz is one of the most utilitarian vans available. Whether running a contracting business or a professional mountain biking team, the Sprinter will carry all your stuff. There's an overwhelmingly large number of tie-downs in the cargo area. Towing capacity is average with the optional turbodiesel engine.

　　

Technology

　　The new third-generation Sprinter now gets one of our favorite infotainment systems on the market today: Mercedes-Benz User Experience, or MBUX for short. The system is optional, but it's worth the cost of the upgrade because it has excellent voice controls, easy-to-use steering-wheel and center-console buttons, and a choice of two crisp-and-clear displays.

　　

Which Sprinter does zzdcar recommend?

　　Since there are so many different needs for van buyers, ranging from maximum passenger capacity to penultimate cargo space, we won't recommend a specific layout or configuration. What we do recommend, however, is the optional turbodiesel engine to increase the Sprinter's capability, as well as the optional 10.25-inch MBUX touchscreen. It's head and shoulders above any infotainment system in competitor vans and worth the added cost.

　　

2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter models

　　The 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a full-size van available in cargo, passenger and crew configurations. The cargo van features two seats and a large cargo bay, while the crew van adds a three-place bench for five-passenger seating. The passenger van can carry up to 15 passengers. All vans come in 144-inch and 170-inch wheelbase lengths, and the longer-wheelbase versions are also available in extra-long cargo and crew configurations. A high roof is standard on passenger and crew configurations, while the cargo can be had with either a standard roof or a high roof. Sprinters are divided into regular 1500 and 2500 models and heavy-duty 3500 and 4500 models.

　　The standard engine on 1500 and 2500 models is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (188 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Optional on 2500 models and standard on 3500 and 4500 models is a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 (188 horsepower, 325 lb-ft of torque) paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission.

　　Standard equipment on the cargo van includes 16-inch steel wheels, a passenger-side sliding rear door, a metal cargo floor, 270-degree-opening rear doors, air conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a rearview camera, and a sound system with two USB ports. Rear-wheel drive is standard, while four-wheel drive is optional.

　　The crew van (available 2500-and-up configurations) gets the same standard equipment but adds a second-row bench seat and adjacent side windows. The passenger van (available in 1500 and 2500 configurations) is similar, but it features three rows of rear seats, rear interior trim and tinted rear windows.

　　The options list is lengthy, but it includes items such as 16-inch alloy wheels, a driver-side sliding rear door, a heavy-duty suspension, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, forward collision warning with automatic braking, and a 360-degree parking camera.

　　Mercedes also offers LED headlights, a heated windshield, heated power mirrors, a rear cabin heater, upgraded front seats, heated front seats, a navigation system, and the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with either a 7- or a 10.25-inch touchscreen.

　　Cargo and crew vans can be equipped with driver-compartment partitions, a roof fan, a fixed rear sunroof, roof rails, and various interior storage options. The passenger van can be equipped with rear air conditioning. Many of these optional items are available within packages as well.

　　Jump to:Related 2019 Sprinter articles

　　

2019 Sprinter Highlights

Type: VanDieselVan

　　Trim: 1500 144" WB Cargo2500 144" WB Cargo2500 170" WB Cargo2500 144" WB Crew1500 144" WB Passenger2500 144" WB Passenger2500 170" WB Crew3500XD 144" WB Cargo3500 144" WB Cargo4500 144" WB Cargo3500 170" WB Cargo3500 144" WB Crew2500 170" WB Passenger3500XD 170" WB Cargo3500XD 144" WB Crew3500 170" WB Crew4500 170" WB Cargo4500 144" WB Crew3500XD 170" WB Crew4500 170" WB Crew1500 144" WB Cargo

　　

Base MSRP	$33,790
Engine Type	Gas
Seating	2 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	319.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles