Used 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 144" WB Cargo Van Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 144" WB Cargo Van.
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Mercedes-Benz’ s / Freightliner’s Best Value
97420, Lakeside, OR, 04/23/2018
2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 144" WB Cargo 3dr Van (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
The Sprinter is a Mercedes Commercial duty vehicle. This is a no nonsense rig, with awesome versatility and fairly cheap operating costs. I purchased our 2015 V6 Turbo Diesel (used) with only 25 miles on the odometer. We bought ours so we can fit all of our family and our son’s wheelchair, with an Under Vehicle Lift (UVL) we had installed. We also transport heavy shipping boxes, as a … side business. With 6’2-6’4 interior ceiling height we can & have carried lots of stuff. Even 2 tons of payload is carried easily in our 2500 Sprinter and it can out carry the Transit (5 cylinder) Diesel while still rated to pull 5000 pounds, which is also more than the Transit T350 Diesel (now discontinued). We drove just short of 30,000 miles the first year, with average city and hwy mileage around 20 mpg. On a recent 3000 mile trip to Banff, Canada we averaged an easy and unbeatable 25 mpg, loaded with extra fuel, food, luggage and family. We’ve had absolutely no problems with this rig, having the oil changed every 20,000 and with awesome Mercedes dealership customer service and brand new Mercedes loaner cars given during the time our oil is changed and service done. Treat your rig right and it will pay off in the long run. The driving position is far better than the Transit and I know I’ll get more miles out of this Sprinter and enjoy looking at it far longer than the Ford. (I know people with the same van that have 600,000 & 800,000 miles on their original Sprinter diesel engines and turbos.)
This rig handles unbelievably stable in corners and it is actually enjoyable. The fuel mileage is generally around 20mph on the highway, give or take. Strong headwinds will take the biggest toll on fuel economy. My experience w/ City mpg is around 15, the same as my old Subaru Outback 4 cylinder.
Update: I am approaching 66,000 miles and have had only 1 part (thus far) that has needed replaced- (under warranty) somewhere in the front climate control. I have replaced the tires & other regular maintenance items.
Annoyingly, the navigation unit module (located In the glove compartment) occasionally resets itself, perhaps from rough road or things in the glove box? The trucky suspension, when empty, reminds the driver that this is built for commercial use. When it is loaded, everything is much quieter and smoother. The slider door can rattle on rough roads, may need adjusting.
The front seats remain very supportive, I hope to upgrade the rear seats in the future to foldable bed, bench seats, via the aftermarket.
At this point, If my Sprinter was totaled, I would buy another.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 144" WB Cargo Van
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Interior space is unmatched with true walk-through cabin
- Pro:Offers hundreds of configurations and features
- Pro:Pretty maneuverable for its size
- Pro:Diesel engines are fuel-efficient
- Con:Price tag is higher than average
- Con:Engines can also seem underpowered at highway speeds
Which Sprinter does Edmunds recommend?
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 recommend starting with the basic template of a regular-duty 2500 model with a 144-inch wheelbase and standard roof height. If you live in a hilly area or plan to tow, we suggest the stronger V6 diesel engine. The turbo four-cylinder should return better fuel economy, but we suspect its motivation from a standstill is glacial.
Full Edmunds Review: 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van
Driving
3.0The turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engine is a bit slow to get up to speed, but once there, it's easy to maintain speed. Low-speed maneuvers create some challenges for this big rig.
Comfort
3.0Passenger 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.
Interior
3.5Lots 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.
Utility
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.
Technology
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.
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in Ohio is:
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