Used 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Crew

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van is much more than just a cargo-carrying king. Offered in a variety of sizes with varying roof heights and payloads, the Sprinter serves as the platform for everything from daily delivery truck to fully loaded RV. There are two passenger versions as well as rear- or all-wheel drive models, the latter with a choice of gasoline or diesel engines.

Mercedes offers a number of optional driver-assist features on the Sprinter, many of which are standard on the Ford Transit but not available on the Nissan NV, Ram ProMaster or Chevrolet Express Van. Buyers can also opt for a number of sophisticated telematics and fleet-related programs for improved efficiency.

Built at Mercedes-Benz’s North Charleston, South Carolina, plant, the Sprinter is now free from tariffs that in the past made it difficult to be price competitive with its nearest rival, the Ford Transit. However, the Sprinter is still more expensive than the Nissan NV and Chevy Express.

Though large, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter drives “smaller” than it is. The ride quality, especially when the van’s loaded, is excellent, and the tall body doesn’t lean excessively in corners. Further, the view out the Sprinter’s windshield is excellent, and the large side mirrors make for a great rear view.

The 6-cylinder diesel feels refined, and it produces a swell of power just above idle. Its 7-speed automatic transmission shifts with authority, but it doesn’t have the extra two ratios of the 9-speed automatic that mates to the new 4-cylinder gasoline engine.

With the high roof, people 6-foot-2 or shorter can stand inside the Sprinter without crouching. That high roof also means almost all multi-level parking structures are out of the equation. Maximum towing capacity is 5,000 pounds, an amount that increases to 7,500 pounds when you order a Sprinter with dual rear wheels.

Although this slab-sided big Mercedes van occasionally catches crosswinds while cruising down the highway, standard Crosswind Assist removes the drama with automatic brake intervention that keeps the Sprinter in its lane and headed straight down the road.

Describing the Sprinter’s interior largely depends on which model you’re driving. The Sprinter Cargo Van is purely a 2-seat affair behind which is a cavernous cargo hold that can be left as is or fitted with all manner of shelving, boxes and electrical outlets. You can even opt for LED strip lighting.

For those who regularly carry a mixture of passengers and cargo, there’s the Sprinter Crew Van that includes a 3-person/2nd-row bench seat and a sliding passenger-side door with a window.

Last up are the passenger vans that can carry up to 15 people in the extended 170-inch-wheelbase Sprinter or 12 souls in the smaller 144-inch-wheelbase model. Both the Crew and Passenger Vans can now be fitted with the standard roof, but we think the high-roof option is still the best way to go as it allows adults to stand upright inside the van.

The seats themselves are covered in a durable cloth fabric and, unlike the seats in the Chevrolet Express van, provide head restraints on every seat. The seats can be removed easily for those occasions where more cargo room is needed.

All the vans feature a modern dash that can be equipped with a number of conveniences including navigation, 7- or 10.3-inch touch screens, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless charging. The MBUX infotainment system is also available and includes the cool “Hey Mercedes” feature allowing for voice control of various features.

Fresh from its rebirth last year, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is still immediately identifiable as a Sprinter, even though it has a reshaped grille, fenders and lights, along with new rear glass. The front bumper on most Sprinters is unpainted black plastic, the color also appearing on the big van’s prominent lower side stripes. A body-color front bumper, which adds a luxury look, is available on the Sprinter Passenger Van.

Upfitters will love the available 3500 and 4500 Cab Chassis version that basically delivers a cab, engine and frame, with the rest left open to whatever the imagination (and physics) deem possible.

3.0-LITER TURBODIESEL
Of all the modern, tall-roof vans, only the Sprinter offers the option of a diesel engine. The 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 offers superior power, mostly in the form of torque, as well as good fuel economy, lower maintenance costs and better longevity. For the record, the aging Chevrolet Express also offers a diesel engine.

ON-DEMAND AWD
Having all-wheel drive (AWD) on a full-size van can be a real gift, especially for those trying to make deliveries in places where snow is as common as the sunrise. For off-road upfitters, the Sprinter’s low-range gearing and higher wade depth make it the perfect choice.

Among the seemingly countless 2020 Sprinter models, all are equipped with keyless ignition, rear doors that open 180 degrees, a tilt steering wheel with paddle shifters, a trailer-hitch prep package, an interior with a load width of approximately 61 inches and a powertrain warranty extended to five years and/or 100,000 miles. The Sprinter Passenger Van has a plastic floor, whereas the Cargo Van’s is steel, which allows for better securing of the racks and shelves that will be installed to meet varying commercial needs.

Several packages are available for the new Sprinter Passenger Van. A $1,140 Driver Convenience Package includes cruise control, heated and electrically folding side mirrors, blind-spot assist and a 12-volt power outlet in the base of the driver’s seat. The $990 Premium Package adds modern safety and assistance systems like lane-keep assist, active brake assist, wet-wiper system and MBUX infotainment with 7-inch touch screen.

The $2,530 Premium Plus Package adds Sirius satellite radio, an acoustic package, active cruise control, wireless smartphone charging and a navigation system with Traffic Sign Assist. A $1,610 Comfort Plus Package includes heated front seats. Individual options include AWD, a power-side door, a heated windshield, an anti-theft alarm, automatic climate control and an extra battery (primarily for retrofit customers).

The standard engine in the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder good for 188 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission that runs power to the Sprinter’s rear wheels. That’s significantly weaker than the V6 engines offered in the Nissan NV, Ford Transit and Ram ProMaster.

A better choice is the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 that develops the same 188 horsepower but at a lower rpm. More important, the diesel engine develops 325 lb-ft of torque. A 7-speed automatic is standard and all-wheel drive is optional.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
188 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-3,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

3.0-liter turbodiesel V6
188 horsepower @ 3,800 rpm
325 lb-ft of torque @ 1,400-2,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A