2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Review

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.

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.

2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Review

Pros

• Excellent interior space with a true walk-through cabin


• Hundreds of passenger and cargo configurations and features


• Fairly maneuverable for its size


• High-class, high-tech interior is uncommon among vans

Cons

• Typically costs more than rival full-size vans


• Base 2.0-liter engine feels underpowered for this vehicle size

What’s new

• Standard-height roof available for passenger and crew models


• Part of the third Sprinter generation introduced for 201

Which Sprinter does Edmunds 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.

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 windows

The passenger van (available in 1500 and 2500 configurations) features:

• Three rows of rear seats


• Rear interior trim and tinted rear windows

The 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 system

Cargo 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)