2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

header-image
Rating8.3

Ranked #2 in 

Fullsize Van
Write Review
$34,495 - $62,820
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on June 7, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Outstanding interior space

High priced when options are added

Added few driver-assist features

Good ride quality

Doesn't handle as well as nimbler vans

Numerous advanced safety features

Comes with a plethora of configurations

Specs & Features

$35,690

price

188 hp @ 5000 rpm

horsepower

258 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm

torque

9-Speed Automatic w/od

transmission

2.0L 4cyl RWD 9A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is available for sale at a base MSRP of $34,495 while the 2500 trim costs up to $41,050. It comes in two roof heights and two wheelbase options. A 2.0L turbo inline-4 engine powers the Sprinter that makes 188 hp and 258 lb-ft. of torque. Of course, this engine doesn't impress with its slow acceleration but its 5,000-pound towing capacity is really good. 

The MPG figures of the Sprinter aren't rated by the EPA due to obvious reasons but still, its fuel economy is good. The Sprinter's cabin might not be luxurious or flashy but offers a ton of optional comfort and convenience features. The Sprinter stands out in its segment by offering some of the best driver aids while its rivals don't. The main rivals of the Sprinter include the Ford Transit, the GMC Savana, and the Nissan NV. 

Buying Advice

Purchase the 2500 trim as it has a better payload and towing capacity. If your daily work comprises of carrying tall and heavy items, then we suggest opting for the high roof variant with a longer wheelbase. We also recommend the Premium package that adds a leather steering wheel, instrument cluster, active lane-keeping assist, active distance assist, and a 7-inch touchscreen display. 

Comparative Analysis against Competition

Don't let the premium brand name fool you; the German cargo van can get down and dirty- Carbuzz

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is one of the best cargo haulers in its class. It houses an underpowered engine but can tow trailers of up to 5,000 pounds. The gasoline-powered Sprinter is available in two wheelbases and two roof heights. The largest Sprinter has a maximum cargo volume of 488.1 cu-ft., which makes it the best cargo hauler in the segment. 

You may think the Mercedes-Benz name adds extravagance or over-the-top styling to this van. Yet beyond a shadow of a doubt, the Sprinter is about utility and work. You can add additional comfort and cargo-convenience features but that comes at a cost. Apart from helping you operate your work with ease, it makes sure that you reach from point A to point B in style. 

Buying Advice

Purchase the 2500 trim as it has a better payload and towing capacity. If your daily work comprises of carrying tall and heavy items, then we suggest opting for the high roof variant with a longer wheelbase. We also recommend the Premium package that adds a leather steering wheel, instrument cluster, active lane-keeping assist, active distance assist, and a 7-inch touchscreen display. 

Features

You can customize your Sprinter to make it the perfect rig for your business or family- Autotrader

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van with the gasoline engine is available in just two trims- 1500 and 2500. The 1500 trim starts at $34,495 and comes in only low roof form. The 2500 trim is offered in both low and high roof variants and has a starting price of $35,720. A destination charge of $995 is applicable at the time of purchase. The Sprinter comes with a small set of standard features and hence, multiple optional packages are on offer.

The $1,904 Comfort Plus package adds power and heated front seats. The $652 Cargo Convenience package includes a left rear door assist handle, a two-stage opening sliding door, LED ambient lighting, a 12V power outlet in the rear compartment, and an opening to the side wall rear doors. For entertainment purposes, you can also add a 7 or 10.25-inch touchscreen with smartphone integration, satellite radio, wireless charging, and navigation system. 

Trim

1500

2500

MSRP (Low Roof)

$34,495

$35,720
MSRP (High Roof) N/A $41,050

Key Features

Keyless start Same features as the 1500 trim
 

16-inch steel wheels

Towing and payload capacities increased
  Manually adjustable front cloth seats  
  Rearview camera  
  AM/FM radio with 4 speakers  
  Automatic climate control  
  Halogen headlamps  
  Manual-folding exterior mirrors  

 

Fuel Economy
7.0/10

Due to its classification as a van, the EPA doesn't offer any official gas mileage figures- Carbuzz

Since the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is marketed as a commercial vehicle, the EPA didn't evaluate its fuel economy. However, during our drive test, the real-world figures come out to be 21 MPG in the city, 24 MPG on a highway, and 23 MPG combined. For a cargo hauler, these figures are respectable. 

Compared to its rivals, the Sprinter makes less power, and hence, its fuel estimates are better. A 22-gallon fuel tank is fitted in the Sprinter, which is probably the smallest in its segment. Regular gas is required and once filled up to the brim, the Sprinter delivers 484 miles of the combined driving range. 

Models

2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Cargo Van

2020 Ford Transit Cargo Van 

2020 Nissan NV Cargo Van

2020 GMC Savana Cargo Van

MPG (City)

21

15

14

11

MPG (Highway)

24 19 19

16

MPG (Combined)

23 17 16 14
Fuel Tank Capacity (Gallons) 22.0 25.0 28.0 31.0
Range (City/Highway/Combined; Miles) 462/528/506 375/475/425 392/532/448 341/496/434

*Estimated MPG figures (not rated by EPA)

As mentioned above, the Sprinter has the best fuel ratings and driving range thanks to its less powerful engine. The Ford Transit's fuel economy is still better for the power it makes. The Nissan NV is less efficient than the Transit but the GMC Savana has the worst fuel economy in this segment. 

Interior
8.8/10

Two reasons the 2020 Mercedes Sprinter is so popular are its comfort and refinement- CarAndDriver

Venturing into the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter would require a stage to move as it sits high over the ground. Carrying a Mercedes-Benz moniker, the Sprinter's cabin is undoubtedly superior to its rivals and looks and feels premium. Since this is a cargo van, two seats are available. However, a front bench seat can be bought if you plan on getting an extra passenger. Subsequent to boarding, the seats are agreeable for practically any individual.

The seats are covered in cloth but leatherette seats are available. Both the seats are 4-way manually adjustable but power adjustability and heated functions are also offered as options. You also get a tilt and telescopic multi-function steering wheel to get a comfortable driving position. The huge windshield upgrades vision towards the road for a more secure drive. The two individuals will appreciate a great deal of room, so there's no compromise on comfort. 

Unline an average cargo van, the Sprinter can be had with a 7 or 10.25-inch MBUX touchscreen infotainment system. This system supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless charging. The larger screen also adds a navigation system and satellite radio. As expected, the interface is user-friendly and one of the best in the business. The controls are nicely laid out below the screen. A 4-speaker stereo is the only sound system available. 

Models

2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Cargo Van

2020 Ford Transit Cargo Van 

2020 Nissan NV Cargo Van

2020 GMC Savana Cargo Van

Passenger Capacity

2

2

2

2

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg (in)

47.3/67.4/38.9

40.8/67.9/41.3

42.8/65.7/42.0

40.9/68.9/41.4

Cargo Space (cu-ft.)

319.0

246.7

234.1

239.7

The Sprinter can be ordered in multiple configurations depending on your needs. For instance, a short wheelbase with a standard roof variant offers 319 cu-ft. of cargo space. Upgrade to the high roof model and the space increases to 374.3 cu-ft. Similarly, a  maximum cargo volume of 488.1 cu-ft. can be achieved with a long wheelbase and high roof combination. That's more than enough space for a daily driver's job. Some main interior features are:

  • Tilt & telescopic multi-function steering wheel
  • 4-way manually adjustable front seats
  • Manual air conditioning
  • Keyless start
  • Heated front seats (optional)
  • Automatic climate control
  • 7 or 10.25-inch touchscreen w/ Apple CarPlay & Android Auto (optional)
  • 4-speaker stereo
  • Navigation system (optional)
  • Satellite radio (optional)
  • Wireless charging (optional)

Exterior
8.8/10

There's no denying the fact that the Sprinter is a big, boxy van that emphasizes practicality over sleek lines- The Car Connection

The third-generation Sprinter is sleeker, more modern, and more variable than ever. Upfront, a large tri-star logo sits in the middle of the black plastic grille. The headlights are smaller than the previous version of the Sprinter. They have been slimmed down for a better visual appearance. The side of the Sprinter is where you get the sense of just how big it is. The high ground clearance of the Sprinter gives a commanding view of the road. 

From the front to the back of the vehicle, you also get a big swathe of black plastic. The side of the vehicle can be used as a billboard to advertise your business. The Sprinter sits on 16-inch steel wheels but higher trims replace it with alloys. The Sprinter is also available in a shorter wheelbase (144 in) and a longer wheelbase (170 in). That black plastic adjoins to the rear bumper. The rear of the Sprinter has a simple look just like a van should be. 

Models

2020 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Cargo Van

2020 Ford Transit Cargo Van 

2020 Nissan NV Cargo Van

2020 GMC Savana Cargo Van

Curb Weight (lbs)

4,696

4,958

5,920

5,261

Length (in)

233.3

219.9

240.6

224.1

Width (in)

79.5

81.3

79.9

79.3

Height (in)

96.3

82.3

83.9

84.8

Ground Clearance (in)

8.1

5.7

8.1

8.6

Wheelbase (in)

144.0

129.9

146.1

135.2

With a curb weight of 5,920 pounds, the Nissan NV is the bulkiest cargo van in this segment. The Ford Transit is available in low, medium, and high roof configurations depending on the buyer's needs. The GMC Savana has the highest ground clearance in this segment, measuring 8.6 inches. Some main exterior features of the Sprinter are:

  • Halogen headlamps
  • DRLs
  • Black side moldings
  • Black grille
  • Black window trim
  • 16-inch steel wheels
  • Two-stage sliding door
  • Manual-folding exterior mirrors

Safety
9.0/10

The majority of safety systems offered are optional- CarAndDriver

As expected, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has not been assessed by both NHTSA or IIHS for its crashworthiness. Therefore, safety ratings are not available. That's not a concern as the van is solidly built and one cannot doubt the build quality of Mercedes-Benz. The Sprinter offers a plethora of driver-assist features. 

Among them, a lot of driver-assist features are optional. Also for 2020, Mercedes-Benz added a few more safety technologies to the list to keep the cargo van safe from any sort of accident. Dual overhead airbags are also provided to protect the driver and the passenger. All the available safety features in the Sprinter are listed below:

  • Crosswind assist
  • Active lane-keeping assist
  • Blindspot assist
  • Rearview camera
  • Trailer stability assist
  • Drive-away assist
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
  • Parking assist
  • Active cruise control w/ distance assist
  • Downhill speed regulation
  • Active braking assist

Competition
8.0/10

2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van vs 2020 Ford Transit Cargo Van

The Ford Transit Cargo Van is similarly priced as the Sprinter but houses a 275-hp V6 engine that allows for quicker acceleration. The main thing where the Sprinter wins is its monstrous freight space and excellent fuel economy. The build quality of the Transit's cabin isn't that great as the Sprinter. When it comes to safety, the Sprinter takes the lead with better driver aids. 

2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van vs 2020 Nissan NV Cargo Van

The Nissan NV Cargo Van is the van for the entrepreneur on a financial limit. That's because it makes more power than the Sprinter for a lesser price and serves its purpose as a cargo van. However, its overall cargo and passenger space is less and it doesn't have the equivalent uber inside as the Sprinter. The NV also packs very limited active safety features, which is a disappointment. 

2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van vs 2020 GMC Savana Cargo Van 

The GMC Savana Cargo Van is another cheaper alternative to the Sprinter. Although it is a powerful vehicle, it still ranks below the Sprinter due to several reasons. It has the worst fuel economy in this segment, has fewer safety features and its freight space is not comparable to the Sprinter. The materials used in the cabin are of good quality but not great as the Sprinter. 

Final Verdict

Along with carrying the opulent tag of Mercedes-Benz, the 2020 Sprinter also carries the responsibilities of a well-built vehicle that is sturdy and reliable. It's a decent form van enough to draw off private venture tries. Generally, it's a nice vehicle standing ideal on the business standards. The main zone where it's slacking is the unobtrusive power plant in the engine, otherwise, it's a sweet arrangement to purchase.

Trims

    1500
    $34,495 onwards
    • 270-Degree-Opening rear doors
    • Metal cargo floor
    • Rearview camera
    • Sound system w/ two USB ports
    2500
    $35,720 onwards
    • Side-door windows
    3500
    $45,745 onwards
    • Engine: 3.0L 6cyl 7A
    • Horsepower: 188 hp @ 3800 rpm hp
    • Torque: 325 lb.-ft. @ 1400 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 11.2 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: -
    4500
    $47,370 onwards
    • Engine: 3.0L 6cyl 7A
    • Horsepower: 188 hp @ 3800 rpm hp
    • Torque: 325 lb.-ft. @ 1400 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 12.1 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: -
    3500XD
    $45,320 onwards
    • Engine: 3.0L 6cyl 4WD 7A
    • Horsepower: 188 hp @ 3800 rpm hp
    • Torque: 325 lb.-ft. @ 1400 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 13.1 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: -

Compare to similar cars

Price

$34,495- $62,820

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.27

Horsepower

188 hp @ 5000 rpm

Torque

325 lb.-ft. @ 1400 rpm

Capacity

14

Read Review

$32,900- $54,340

Gasoline

6.86

275 hp @ 6500 rpm

262 lb.-ft. @ 3750 rpm

3

Read Review

$31,245- $41,095

Gasoline

6.96

280 hp @ 6400 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

2

Read Review

$32,000- $35,900

Gasoline

6.87

276 hp @ 5200 rpm

298 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm

3

Read Review

$30,140- $38,560

Gasoline

7.94

261 hp @ 5600 rpm

281 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

2

Read Review

2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    7.8 sec--
    8.1 sec--
    9.9 sec19.5 sec110 mph
    12 sec--

    2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      SourceCompare
      ---22 gal.
      19 mpg25 mpg22 mpg24 gal.
      14 mpg18 mpg16 mpg25 gal.
      11 mpg16 mpg14 mpg31 gal.
      ---28 gal.

      2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        233.5 in.92.3 in.96.5 in.8.1 in.144.3 in.
        240.6 in.79.9 in.83.9 in.8.1 in.146.1 in.
        224.1 in.79.3 in.84.8 in.8.6 in.135.2 in.
        219.9 in.81.3 in.82.3 in.-129.9 in.
        195.4 in.82.7 in.91.7 in.6.9 in.118 in.

        2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          319 cu.ft.-35.5 cu.ft.
          246.7 cu.ft.162.5 cu.ft.280.9 cu.ft.
          239.4 cu.ft.101.4 cu.ft.270.4 cu.ft.
          234.1 cu.ft.101.7 cu.ft.234.1 cu.ft.
          259 cu.ft.--

          2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            35.5 cu.ft.319 cu.ft.35.5 cu.ft.60 ft.
            41 cu.ft.239.4 cu.ft.270.4 cu.ft.79 ft.
            75.2 cu.ft.246.7 cu.ft.280.9 cu.ft.79 ft.
            16.7 cu.ft.234.1 cu.ft.234.1 cu.ft.-
            -259 cu.ft.--

            2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              5000 lbs.3920 lbs.4696 lbs.
              10000 lbs.3280 lbs.5093 lbs.
              7500 lbs.4030 lbs.5410 lbs.
              6910 lbs.4000 lbs.4554 lbs.
              2000 lbs.2730 lbs.5806 lbs.

              2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              22

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              5

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

              Top Mercedes-Benz Cars

              2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 65

              Horsepower : 621 hp @ 4800 rpm

              MPG Combined : 16 mpg

              0-60 : 3.74 sec

              #1

              2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG E 63 S

              Horsepower : 603 hp @ 5750 rpm

              MPG Combined : 18 mpg

              0-60 : 3.42 sec

              #2

              2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63

              Horsepower : 603 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 20 mpg

              0-60 : 3.45 sec

              #3

              2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63

              Horsepower : 577 hp @ 6250 rpm

              MPG Combined : 17 mpg

              0-60 : 3.49 sec

              #4

              2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R

              Horsepower : 577 hp @ 6250 rpm

              MPG Combined : 17 mpg

              0-60 : 3.11 sec

              #5

              2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R Pro

              Horsepower : 577 hp @ 6250 rpm

              MPG Combined : 17 mpg

              0-60 : 3.11 sec

              #6

              2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG G 63

              Horsepower : 577 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 14 mpg

              0-60 : 4.29 sec

              #7

              2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63

              Horsepower : 550 hp @ 5750 rpm

              MPG Combined : 14 mpg

              0-60 : 4.2 sec

              #8

              2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S

              Horsepower : 503 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 21 mpg

              0-60 : 3.66 sec

              #9

              2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580

              Horsepower : 483 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 18 mpg

              0-60 : 5.48 sec

              #10