2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Review

　　

2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 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.

　　The 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a full-size van that's offered in several versions. It comes in cargo (two-seater), crew (five-seater) and passenger (as high as fifteen-seater) configurations. From there you've got three available roof heights, two wheelbase choices and two engines to choose from. Mercedes even offers some of its latest technology features, including its MBUX infotainment system, which provides robust voice command functionality.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 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) - $34,495 MSRP2500 144" WB Cargo 3dr Van (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $35,720 MSRP2500 144" WB Cargo 3dr Van (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $40,620 MSRP2500 144" WB Cargo 3dr Van 4WD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $48,595 MSRP2500 144" WB Crew 3dr Van w/High Roof (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $39,395 MSRP2500 144" WB Crew 3dr Van w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) (Most Popular) - $44,295 MSRP2500 144" WB Crew 3dr Van 4WD w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $52,270 MSRP2500 170" WB Cargo 3dr Van w/High Roof (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $41,050 MSRP2500 170" WB Cargo 3dr Van w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $45,950 MSRP2500 170" WB Cargo 3dr Ext Van w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $47,800 MSRP2500 170" WB Cargo 3dr Van 4WD w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $53,925 MSRP2500 170" WB Cargo 3dr Ext Van 4WD w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $55,775 MSRP1500 144" WB Passenger 3dr Van w/High Roof (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $41,095 MSRP2500 144" WB Passenger 3dr Van w/High Roof (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $42,320 MSRP2500 144" WB Passenger 3dr Van w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $47,220 MSRP2500 144" WB Passenger 3dr Van 4WD w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $55,195 MSRP2500 170" WB Crew 3dr Van w/High Roof (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $45,245 MSRP2500 170" WB Crew 3dr Van w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $50,145 MSRP2500 170" WB Crew 3dr Van 4WD w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $58,120 MSRP3500XD 144" WB Cargo 3dr Van DRW (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $45,320 MSRP3500XD 144" WB Cargo 3dr Van 4WD DRW (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $53,295 MSRP3500 144" WB Cargo 3dr Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $45,745 MSRP3500 144" WB Crew 3dr Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $46,645 MSRP4500 144" WB Cargo 3dr Van DRW (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $47,370 MSRP3500 170" WB Cargo 3dr Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $48,300 MSRP3500 170" WB Cargo 3dr Ext Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $50,150 MSRP3500XD 144" WB Crew 3dr Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $48,995 MSRP3500XD 144" WB Crew 3dr Van 4WD DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $56,970 MSRP2500 170" WB Passenger 3dr Van w/High Roof (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $49,800 MSRP2500 170" WB Passenger 3dr Van w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $54,700 MSRP3500XD 170" WB Cargo 3dr Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $50,650 MSRP3500XD 170" WB Cargo 3dr Ext Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $52,500 MSRP3500XD 170" WB Cargo 3dr Van 4WD DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $58,625 MSRP3500XD 170" WB Cargo 3dr Ext Van 4WD DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $60,475 MSRP4500 144" WB Crew 3dr Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $51,045 MSRP3500 170" WB Crew 3dr Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $52,495 MSRP4500 170" WB Cargo 3dr Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $52,700 MSRP4500 170" WB Cargo 3dr Ext Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $54,550 MSRP3500XD 170" WB Crew 3dr Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $54,845 MSRP3500XD 170" WB Crew 3dr Van 4WD DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $62,820 MSRP4500 170" WB Crew 3dr Van DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A) - $56,895 MSRP

　　vs

　　$283/mo

　　Avg. Large Van

　　Competitors such as the Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster and even the body-on-frame Chevy Express are capable, no doubt. They're also typically less expensive. But the Sprinter is the most refined of the bunch and offers a superior driving experience. Whether you're looking for an airport shuttle van, a massive cargo van for package delivery, or a recreational van to unplug from city life, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has you covered.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the Sprinter drive? We tested a 2500-series passenger van with the base four-cylinder engine. Getting around town is easy thanks to its well-tuned automatic transmission and easy off-the-line power delivery. But 188 hp just isn't enough to get this van moving with any authority, and that's especially the case if you've got a heavy load or you're going up a grade. We recommend upgrading to the turbodiesel V6.

　　Our van's brakes were also underwhelming and didn't provide as much stopping confidence as we'd like. Steering and handling, however, lead the class. If you're taking the Scout troop on a mountain retreat, you likely won't have any reservations driving the Sprinter up curvy mountain roads.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Sprinter? The Sprinter doesn't have typical Mercedes-Benz levels of comfort, but it does lead the passenger van segment when it comes to seat comfort. The ride quality is quite stiff, but a full load of passengers and their stuff will likely settle things down a bit.

　　This big barn-shaped vehicle makes a bit of noise on the road, especially as the wind passes over the tall windshield and large side mirrors. But there isn't much noise from the road or from the four-cylinder engine, even at full throttle. The climate control system deals with high temps relatively well, which is important for a large group on a road trip.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The Sprinter gets high marks for an abundance of passenger space, a user-friendly control layout and better-than-expected visibility. This generation of Sprinter now comes standard with a rearview camera, which is a big plus, and access to the back rows is relatively easy once you're inside. It's difficult to get in and out of such a tall vehicle, and driving position isn't perfect, but those aren't deal-breakers.

　　Shorter drivers will find the driving position to be suboptimal. The driver's seat has height adjustability but it is limited in its range, and the steering wheel is tilt-only — this means you'll have to move pretty far forward if you're of shorter stature.

　　

Technology

6.0/10

　　How’s the tech? There isn't much tech on a base Sprinter, which is what we tested. The standard infotainment system doesn't have any voice controls, there is no smartphone integration (other than connecting for Bluetooth audio), and the standard stereo has poor sound quality. Thankfully, there are a few USB-C ports throughout the cabin for charging your devices.

　　Our recommendation — for tech-savvy buyers anyway — is to upgrade to one of the Sprinter's larger touchscreen displays. The Mercedes MBUX touchscreen system is mostly bundled together in larger packages, using a 7-inch or 10.25-inch touchscreen, and it's paired with features such as wireless smartphone charging, integrated navigation and parking sensors.

　　Blind-spot monitoring was the only driver aid on our test vehicle. It worked well and didn't issue any false or annoying alerts. Lane keeping assist, parking sensors and other driver aids are also optional, but these weren't equipped on our test van.

　　

Storage

8.5/10

　　How’s the storage? Few vehicles on Earth are as utilitarian as the Sprinter. Massive cargo space behind the fourth row of seats, a number of D-ring cargo tie-down points, and a low load floor mean you can get large items in and secure them with ease. The underseat storage area is massive too. You truly can carry 12 passengers and all their things if you want.

　　Car seats will be a bit tougher to load because of the high step-in height, but there's plenty of room between each row and several anchor points to secure them.

　　Small-item storage is prioritized for the front seats. For some reason Mercedes gives you 10(!) cupholders up front. There are small pullout cupholders for the back rows and netted seatback storage for other items.

　　While capacity varies based on the configuration, a 2500 Sprinter Passenger van has the potential to provide a class-leading 9,480-pound GVWR and a payload capacity of 3,441 pounds. Only a few competitors match those numbers, and most lag far behind. Maximum towing is 5,000 pounds, an impressive number for the class.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The 2500 Sprinter Passenger resides in a heavy-duty category that is exempt from EPA fuel economy testing and labeling. The 2.0-liter engine, though, is relatively efficient when you consider how much weight it's pulling around. Our test van returned 17.1 mpg on our 115-mile city-and-highway evaluation route. We expect the diesel powertrain will outperform the base four-cylinder in this category, but it does have a higher cost of entry.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the Sprinter a good value? The Sprinter costs a bit more than most rivals but makes up for it with excellent build quality, a great warranty and multiple attractive prepaid service plans. And while our test vehicle van came with limited optional equipment, it's worth noting that Sprinters can get all sorts of impressive upgrades if you're looking to class things up a bit. The 10.25-inch touchscreen with Mercedes' MBUX is a favorite of ours, and, given the choice, we'd opt for one of the upgraded stereos as well.

　　

Wildcard

7.5/10

　　While it isn't extraordinarily classy or fantastically unique, the Sprinter is a bit nicer than your average passenger van. It also has more attractive exterior styling and better on-road dynamics than most, making it more enjoyable to drive in most any scenario.

　　

Which Sprinter does zzdcar recommend?

Picking a Sprinter largely comes down to getting a configuration that matches your passenger- or cargo-carrying needs. We recommend getting the turbodiesel engine, which is an option on some Sprinters. It significantly increases the Sprinter's towing and payload capacities and should help boost fuel economy too.

　　

2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter models

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a full-size van available in cargo, passenger and crew configurations. 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 choice of high roof or standard roof is available on all three configurations.

　　Mercedes also offers 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 hp, 325 lb-ft) paired with a seven-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional.

　　Standard equipment on the cargo van includes:

　　Metal cargo floor 270-degree-opening rear doors Air conditioning Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel Rearview camera Sound system with two USB ports The crew van (2500 and up) adds:

　　Three-seat, second-row bench for five-passenger seating Side-door windowsThe passenger van (available in 1500 and 2500 configurations) features:

　　Three rows of rear seats Rear interior trim and tinted rear windowsThe options list is lengthy and can change a bit depending on configuration, but it includes:

　　Driver-side sliding rear door Heavy-duty suspension Front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree parking camera Upgraded front seats with a heating function Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with either a 7- or a 10.25-inch touchscreen Navigation systemCargo and crew vans can be equipped with driver-compartment partitions, a roof fan (or heater), a fixed rear sunroof, roof rails and various interior storage options. The passenger van can be equipped with rear air conditioning.

　　Optional driver aids for all three models include:

　　Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse) Lane keeping assist (steers the car back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

　　

2020 Sprinter Highlights

Type: VanDieselVan

　　Trim: 1500 144" WB Cargo2500 144" WB Cargo2500 144" WB Crew2500 170" WB Cargo1500 144" WB Passenger2500 144" WB Passenger2500 170" WB Crew3500XD 144" WB Cargo3500 144" WB Cargo3500 144" WB Crew4500 144" WB Cargo3500 170" WB Cargo3500XD 144" WB Crew2500 170" WB Passenger3500XD 170" WB Cargo4500 144" WB Crew3500 170" WB Crew4500 170" WB Cargo3500XD 170" WB Crew4500 170" WB Crew1500 144" WB Cargo

　　

Base MSRP	$34,495
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