2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter

Think of a Mercedes-Benz and you’re bound to imagine a luxurious sedan or tech-packed SUV that any executive or upwardly mobile family would be proud to own. But Mercedes-Benz also makes a totally different type of vehicle for a totally different buyer: Commercial vans. In fact, Mercedes makes a lot of them and has done so for decades.

The Sprinter van is a staple on European streets and does big business here in the United States, too. The Sprinter is a full-size commercial van that appeals to everyone from plumbers needing a work van and hotels looking to provide shuttle duty, to van lifers, especially the adventurous ones who appreciate its available diesel engine and 4-wheel drive.

Now comes an all-new variant, the eSprinter, which, like seemingly all other future vehicles, is powered by electricity. This is the first all-electric Sprinter, and it grants Mercedes an entry into the growing field of electric commercial vans that includes the Ford E-Transit and Ram ProMaster EV.

Like those two rivals, the eSprinter for now is aimed at doing commercial work. It can seat two up front and leaves the 488-cubic-foot cargo hold in back to the user’s wishes, whether that’s for delivery work or upfitting with shelves, workbenches, and the like.

As one might expect, the eSprinter has some premium touches – it’s still a Mercedes, after all – and comes at a premium price vs. its rivals. But the Mercedes carries an advantage in one of the most crucial regards for an electric vehicle (EV): range. The 2024 Mercedes eSprinter can travel up to an estimated 249 miles between charges. That handily beats the Ford’s 126 miles of range and the Ram’s maximum of 162 miles.

The Mercedes eSprinter is all-new for 2024 and is the first all-electric version of the brand’s popular Sprinter commercial van. Like others in the Sprinter line, the eSprinter is made in America at Mercedes’ factory in South Carolina.

At these prices, the Mercedes eSprinter is priced above its rivals. The 2024 Ford E-Transit begins at $53,585, for instance.

Before buying a new Mercedes eSprinter electric van, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. The Mercedes eSprinter van’s resale value is still being tabulated by our analysts.

The most surprising thing we found when testing the new Mercedes eSprinter is how easy it is to drive. We don’t drive full-size commercial vans every day, yet once perched in the van’s high seat, it was pretty easy to get going and get along. This proved true even when navigating busy, narrow streets – just like the kinds a delivery driver will contend with when piloting an eSprinter. In this regard, it felt similar to other combustion-powered Sprinter vans we’ve tested. Like other EVs, a benefit of the electric version is how quiet it is. No engine means no sound or vibration.

Regarding the powertrain, the eSprinter is available in Standard Output or High Output versions. We tested the latter, but not much felt “high output” about it. Even a tiny electric car like a Chevy Bolt can feel snappy off the line, while the eSprinter is tame.

Granted, neck-snapping speed is not what this is about, but it feels fleetest in Comfort mode, which gives full power output. In the case of the high-output model, that’s 150 kW – 50 kW more than the standard-output model. Switching to Eco throttles that back to 100 kW and using Maximum range further limits power to 80 kW. In these latter two modes, a stab at the accelerator pedal resulted in hardly anything. We should note there is an override, though, and if you continue to press down, it will allow the van to accelerate more briskly should you need to do so. The eSprinter van’s top speed is 75 mph.

Should you want more horsepower and torque than the max 204 hp/295 lb-ft of torque in the eSprinter, the Ford E-Transit offers 266 hp/317 lb-ft of torque, while the Ram delivers 268 hp/302 lb-ft of torque.

In addition to the trio of drive modes, several levels of brake regeneration can be toggled via steering wheel-mounted paddles. The regen levels vary from none at all to one that nearly brings the eSprinter to a stop when lifting from the accelerator — nearly. The eSprinter does not offer one-pedal driving functionality, like some EVs. A nifty D Auto automatic mode matches brake regeneration based on traffic.

The eSprinter is only available with rear-wheel drive (RWD), just like the Ford E-Transit. (The Ram ProMaster EV, like its gas kin, is front-wheel drive.) Mercedes says the eSprinter has a payload capacity of 2,624 pounds and can tow up to 4,277 pounds.

The eSprinter is essentially split into two parts: the cab up front that can seat the driver and a passenger, and the cargo space in back that can fit 488 cubic feet of whatever you want. That just edges the 487.3 cubic feet of max space behind the front row of the Ford E-Transit and is below the maximum of 524 cubic feet in the Ram ProMaster EV. Interior cargo height comes in at 79.1 inches, meaning even your 6-foot-5 delivery driver shouldn’t be scraping his head. Should you need even a few more inches, however, the Ford and Ram rivals provide it with 81.5 and 86 inches, respectively.

In front, we appreciate that the eSprinter comes standard with a heated driver’s seat and that a heated steering wheel is optional. Drivers in cold-weather states will surely appreciate that. Other options include power-adjustable front seats, 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and Mercedes’ voice controlled assistant, and a digital rearview mirror, which is pretty much essential should you have a partition between the cab and cargo area.

Whereas the standard Sprinter van can be had in different lengths and roof heights, the 2024 Mercedes eSprinter comes in but one configuration: 280 inches in overall length (with a 170-inch wheelbase), and an overall height of 107.1 inches. Power-adjustable and heated side mirrors come standard, and we think the $55 option of power-folding ones is a good investment (although higher repair costs are a consideration). An electrically assisted right-side sliding door is also optional, as are 270-degree rear doors with a 90-degree stop. We appreciate the variety of exterior paint colors available for the 2024 eSprinter, with happy hues like Agua Green and Jupiter Red at no cost or ones like Brilliant Blue and Calcite Yellow for $755. Choosing a color such as this is one way for a business to stand out while the eSprinter gets its job done on the road.

Range
The eSprinter’s ability to travel up to nearly 250 miles between charges is its X factor. Less frequent charging can mean less downtime for fleets and less anxiety for drivers.

Heated front seats
When your job involves sitting and driving all day, an amenity like this can make a big difference. And it’s standard in the eSprinter.

Comfort Front Seats
Speaking of comfort, this option grants well-bolstered and more comfortable front seats. We spent some time in these seats and can tell you, firsthand, they are as advertised. Power-adjustability is another option.

Digital rearview mirror
How do you see what’s behind a windowless work van? With a digital mirror like this that uses a video feed. This option provided us with all the view needed to see what was behind us.

Wireless phone charging
Another nice option for workers. Think of all the time and convenience saved by not having to plug in and unplug a phone to charge it over years of duty.

The 2024 Mercedes eSprinter is powered by an electric motor and a 113-kWh battery pack. Standard Output models make 136 hp, while the High Output version makes 204 hp. Both make 295 lb-ft of torque. Both are also rear-wheel drive.

The eSprinter has a maximum estimated range of up to 249 miles between charges. That easily beats the 126 miles of the Ford E-Transit and 162 miles of the Ram ProMaster EV. As for charging times, Mercedes estimates it takes 12.5 hours to go from empty to full charge on a Level 2 wall charger. With DC fast charging, the eSprinter is estimated to charge from 10% to 80% in 42 minutes.

Warranty

Mercedes Sprinter vans have a basic warranty of three years/36,000 miles. The eSprinter’s battery is covered for eight years/100,000 miles.

Safety

The eSprinter hasn’t been crash-tested by any U.S. agencies but comes standard with Active Brake Assist collision mitigation and crosswind assist. Options include blind-spot monitoring, a digital rearview mirror, and a driver attention monitor.