2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Review

If you're in the market for a Sprinter, you either need to carry a lot of people, a lot of cargo or both. Or maybe you just want an exceptionally roomy surf van. Whatever your needs, there's likely a Sprinter configuration to cover it. As such, it's difficult to recommend a specific trim. We rec...

Despite its dimensions, this conference room on wheels is easy to drive. Tight parking lots can create some stress because of its size, and the modest backup camera is only somewhat helpful.

The 6,000-pound van accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 11.5 seconds. The 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 doesn't feel powerful off the line, but once up to speed it's pretty easy to maintain the truck's forward momentum.

The Sprinter slowed from 60 mph in 138 feet during our emergency panic-stop test. The brakes remained consistent in feel and performance during testing, as well as out on the road in normal driving.

The steering is precise considering the van's purpose as a pure people-mover. The effort is heavy enough to feel steady on the highway yet light enough for parking lot duty.

The Sprinter is relatively narrow considering how tall it is. Taking sharp turns at speed is not this van's forte. An assertive stability control system lends a hand if it senses the van going beyond its limits.

Despite its dimensions, this conference room on wheels is easy to drive. Tight parking lots can create some stress because of its size, and the modest backup camera is only somewhat helpful.

Four-wheel drive is available on many configurations, but given this van's high center of gravity and low ground clearance, it's really only suited for relatively graded or well-worn dirt trails.

Passenger comfort is a priority for the Sprinter. Occupants will find ample space to spread out. The seats are somewhat upright, but most will find decent comfort over long distances. Ride quality improves as passenger head count increases.

The driving position is a bit upright, but the seats prove comfy enough even during longer drives. Throughout the Sprinter, the full-size seats provide ample leg-, hip- and headroom.

Without question, rearmost passengers will find the Sprinter's ride more bouncy than those up front. Still, it's perfectly acceptable whether empty or fully occupied.

Our test van's additional insulation is meant for warmth, but it doubles as sound insulation. Still, some wind and tire noise reaches the cabin, especially when running empty.

Roof-mounted rear air-conditioning is available in the Rear Passenger Comfort package.

Lots of room for people and cargo. Driver aids exist to help maneuver the van in tight quarters, but parking still remains a challenge with such a big vehicle. Efforts are made to ease entry/exit and to keep passengers cozy once settled.

All controls are within reach of the driver and functionally intuitive. This is an older version of the Mercedes COMAND system, so the layout is simple.

The Sprinter has a step leading into it, which is necessary considering it sits so high off the ground. The doors are large, so some folks may find them a bit heavy to manage.

Feels less like a commercial trunk and more like a large SUV thanks to the commanding seat position and expansive windshield.

The front seats fit most body types fine. Farther back, the large bench seats offer lots of leg- and headroom and will keep passengers comfortable unless all the seats are filled. Only then does hiproom get tight.

Massive windows, an optional parking aid system and a rearview camera serve as needed driver aids. That said, there are still several blind spots with this large van.

Build quality on our test Sprinter was commendable. The ability to purchase individual options is rare and welcome. We didn't hear any squeaks or rattles. It was solid and true to the level of build quality we expect from Mercedes-Benz.

What can't you carry or ferry in this van? Especially in cargo or crew configurations, and with a host of upfitting options, this is one of the most utilitarian vans available, whether running a contracting business or a professional mountain biking team.

The Sprinter has storage behind the seating compartment, beneath the seats and in seatback storage nets. Need more space? The rear-seat benches are easily removed by two people.

The Sprinter has a 5,000-pound maximum tow rating when equipped with the Trailer Hitch Package. That's nothing to get excited about.

With up to 586 cubic feet of cargo space in the cargo van (Super High roof and extended-wheelbase 2500) and approximately 3,000 pounds of payload capacity, there aren't many durable consumer goods and tools of trade that the Sprinter can't carry.

About as basic as it gets. There's an optional turn-of-the-millennium navigation system on a small 5.8-inch display, as well as Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, USB and iPod interface.

Old-school Becker Map Pilot system is optional. Most passenger transportation and delivery companies will probably use third-party or proprietary systems anyway. A five-speaker sound system is standard; the passenger van bumps that up to 13 speakers.

Includes Bluetooth hands-free phone, but don't expect any connected app, Twitter-reading, Facebook-updating features. The Sprinter keeps it strictly business.

The Sprinter offers an impressive assortment of safety aids, from routine (rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring) to the useful and obscure (parking sensors, standard crosswind assist, stability control that adjusts to load).