2018 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

The United States has a huge market for full-size vans, and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has seen a massive amount of sales in this country since it was introduced to the US market in 2001. The new 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter promises a lot of stylistic changes, keeping it in line with some of the exterior features seen on the company's Vision Van concept. However, drivers can still expect the same type of comfortable, spacious interior design that has set the Sprinter apart from quite a few competitors in recent years. The only major downfall is that the Sprinter tends to cost more than many of its competitors.

What's New for 2018?

Several notable changes have been made to the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. The biggest change is that the grille has been redesigned, and the flared wheel arches that Mercedes-Benz presented on the concept Vision Van have been implemented on the Sprinter.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2018 Mercedes Benz Sprinter – The Pros

1. The Spacious Interior

Mercedes knows how to design a work van's interior. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter features an impressively huge cargo area, and, up in the cockpit, there is more than enough leg, shoulder, and headspace for the driver and front seat passenger. Maneuvering throughout the cargo area is simple, and most types of cargo will easily fit in the back.

2. Multiple Configurations

There are quite a few configurations available for the Sprinter, so you will likely be able to find whatever meets your unique needs. You can opt for crew, cargo, or passenger configurations, and, within those, you can get several roof heights and wheelbase lengths. The cargo van offers the tallest roof option. You can choose between a regular 2500 Sprinter or opt for a heavy-duty 3500. Four-wheel drive is available on multiple Sprinter configurations.

3. Numerous Features

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is not lacking in terms of safety and technological features. Standard equipment includes hill start assist, a five-speaker sound system up front, a USB port, and an auxiliary jack. The passenger van comes equipped with a total of 13 speakers (5 in the front and 8 added to the rear) for maximum listening pleasure.

4. The Diesel Engine Options

If fuel efficiency is critical for you, then the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has several diesel engine options. While they tack a bit extra onto the price of the vehicle, they will save money on fuel in the long-run.

5. Easy to Maneuver

For being such a large van, the Sprinter is surprisingly easy to maneuver. It actually has no problem navigating along congested urban roadways. Fitting into tight parking spots can be a challenge, but there is a rearview camera that can assist with backing up.

6. Some Off-Roading Abilities

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter isn't exactly ideal for off-roading, but it can certainly manage along dirt roads. In fact, it manages better than most of its competitors due to the inclusion of four-wheel drive on many of its configurations.

7. Comfortable Seats

The seats on the Sprinter are exponentially more comfortable than what you will find on many of the van's competitors, who tend to offer poor bolstering and stiff cushions. The Sprinter's seats are well-constructed and offer enough lateral and lumbar support.

8. Easy-to-Use Controls

All of the physical knobs and buttons found on the Sprinter are well-labeled, intuitively-placed, and overall are easy to use. If you are not tech-savvy, the infotainment system's interface is about as basic as it gets, making the learning curve quite small.

9. Easy to Find a Driving Position

The driver's seat is highly adjustable, and there is a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel that makes finding a driving position pretty effortless. The massive windshield allows the driver to see clearly down the front of the hood.

10. High-Quality Design

Some of the Sprinter's competitors tend to look cheap on the interior. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter doesn't have that problem. All of the hard surfaces look like they're crafted from high-quality materials, and the paneling seamlessly flows together. Nothing shakes, rattles, or rolls while driving.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2018 Mercedes Benz Sprinter – The Cons

1. Affordability

The biggest drawback to the Sprinter is the price. Its starting MSRP slates above most of the competition. Nissan, Ford, and Chevy have more affordable options. However, some of those vehicles struggle with quality and performance, whereas the Sprinter performs a bit better.

2. Sluggish Acceleration

As to be expected on a full-size van acceleration isn't anything to write home about. The van only gets from 0 to 60 mph in 11.5 seconds. However, once it does get up-to-speed, it has no problem staying there.

3. Subpar Steering and Handling

Steering and handling are not the Sprinter's strong point. Although the steering feels pretty precise, it is also somewhat hefty. Handling tight turns in the Sprinter can be somewhat difficult, as the Sprinter's narrow build can be problematic.

4. A Very Average Towing Capacity

Towing on the Sprinter is just average. When properly equipped with the Trailer Hitch package, the Sprinter can tow a modest 5,000 pounds. Not terrible, but not great.

How it Stacks up to the Competition:

2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vs. 2018 Ford Transit

The 2018 Ford Transit comes in multiple configurations and is regarded as one of the most customizable vehicles in this class. The diesel engine options are extremely fuel-efficient, and the Transit provides an enjoyable ride overall. It also has the Sync3 infotainment system, which is known for being one of the most user-friendly but still high-tech interfaces on the market. On the downside, there is no V8 engine option available, which might turn some customers away.

2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vs. 2018 Ram ProMaster

The 2018 Ram ProMaster is another top competitor for the model year. Its turn radius is impeccably tight, much unlike that of the Sprinter. The ProMaster also comes in a number of different configurations, has WiFi capabilities, and has a decent payload capacity of over 5,100 pounds. However, the ProMaster suffers from a poor ride quality, low towing capacity, and an automatic transmission on the diesel engine that doesn't shift smoothly.

Conclusion

Overall, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a pricy option compared to some of the other full-size work vans that hit the market for the 2018 model year. However, it has one of the better designs and is loaded with features that make it worth the price tag.