Reviews of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is the standard setter in the large van segment. Coming with loads of technology and excellent practicality, the Sprinter is one of the most premium and sought-after large vans on the market. 

Rivals to the Sprinter include the Ford Transit, Peugeot Boxer, Volkswagen Crafter, and Citroen Relay. 

Our Mercedes-Benz Sprinter review covers:

• Modern design with a large black grille 
• Well-designed interior with a few premium materials 
• Load volume up to 17m3  
• 2.0-litre diesel engine 
• Three trims 

Pros:

• Loads of body styles available 
• Good technology 
• Available with front and rear-wheel drive

Cons:

• Expensive 
• Rivals have better fuel economy 
• A lot of optional extras 

Large vans aren't the best-looking vehicles around, but the Sprinter makes a pretty good fist of it. Up front, there's a large black front grille complemented by a big Mercedes logo in the middle and neat creases running down the side. 

The driver will have no issues with practicality in the Sprinter. There's loads of leg and headroom and a generous amount of storage for all your tools and gadgets, including under the passenger seats. Next to the driver is a bench that fits two passengers, and although it's a bit of a squeeze, there's enough room to get comfortable.  

There's a great range of choices with the Sprinter. You can choose from short, medium, and long body lengths, while there are also three roof heights. You get a load volume of up to 17m3 and a total maximum payload of 3,175kg, which exceeds the Ford Transit but falls short of the massive Volkswagen Crafter. 

Inside the cabin, you can really tell you're in a Mercedes-Benz. It's well-designed, and everything feels built to last, such as the steering wheel and dashboard. On the dash, you get a big up-right platform with various soft-touch plastics that’s on par with the interior of the Ford Transit. 

On the dashboard, there's a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system that features a DAB radio, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. A nice touch is that you can control the system through the steering wheel, which helps keep your eyes on the road. 

Three trims are available for the Sprinter: Pure, Progressive, and Premium. 

Pure comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, heat-insulating glass, headlight assistant tech, a multifunction steering wheel, eco start/stop, a plastic floor covering, a seven-inch touchscreen, keyless start, cruise control, crosswind assist, and adaptive brake assist. 

Progressive adds wooden flooring, a driver's armrest, an adjustable steering column, a hinged lid for the stowage compartment, and an additional USB-C. 

Premium has air conditioning, a caluma seat trim, a driver's comfort seat, a full-wheel cover, a grille frame in body colour, and a parking package with a rear camera and parking sensors. 

Under the bonnet, you get a 2.0-litre diesel engine that's available in either 150hp, 170hp, or 190hp and front and rear-wheel drive. It comes standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, and there's also a nine-speed automatic available. 

Regardless of what variant you choose, you'll find that the Sprinter performs well and pulls well from low revs. You'll also get a fuel economy of between 25 and 35 mpg. 

New to the lineup is that you can choose between Euro 6d-Temp emissions regulations and Euro VI emissions regulations for heavy-duty reasons. 

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter delivers a consistent driving experience, whether front or rear-wheel drive. It's defined by its remarkably comfortable suspension, providing a smooth and plush ride that effectively smooths out most road imperfections. 

Options like rear air suspension or lightweight composite rear springs are available to enhance comfort and payload capacity, coupled with excellent seating for long-distance journeys.

Despite the van's comfortable suspension, it manages to maintain minimal body roll, even with varying cargo loads. This contributes to the Sprinter's agility, making it surprisingly good on country roads. 

However, the electric power steering, though efficient and speed-sensitive, lacks feedback and precision, particularly at motorway speeds. In comparison, the Volkswagen Crafter's steering feels more natural and reassuring, which is better on tricky road conditions. 

Prices for the new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter start from £49,944.00 OTR* or to lease from £621.31 per month.

Looking to get behind the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest van leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.

Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.

*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.