2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Review

Name: 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Review
Brand: Mercedes-Benz
Price: 23995 USD

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 144" WB Cargo w/High Roof Cargo Van Exterior Shown

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 144" WB Crew w/High Roof Passenger Van Exterior Shown

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 144" WB Passenger w/High Roof Passenger Van Exterior Shown

+733

The Sprinter is one of the best large vans that money can buy. It has acres of cargo and/or passenger space, secure handling, clear visibility and plenty of customization options. Our test van had a few drawbacks, such as underwhelming acceleration and an unsatisfying base stereo, but we'd still recommend the Sprinter to anyone looking for a refined and utilitarian van.

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2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Review

byTravis Langness^{Reviews Editor
Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.}

Pros

Excellent interior space with a true walk-through cabin
Hundreds of passenger and cargo configurations and features
Fairly maneuverable for its size
High-class, high-tech interior is uncommon among vans

Cons

Typically costs more than rival full-size vans
Base 2.0-liter engine feels underpowered for this vehicle size

What's new

Standard-height roof available for passenger and crew models
Part of the third Sprinter generation introduced for 2019

Overview

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a full-size van that's offered in several versions. It comes in cargo (two-seater), crew (five-seater) and passenger (as high as fifteen-seater) configurations. From there you've got three available roof heights, two wheelbase choices and two engines to choose from. Mercedes even offers some of its latest technology features, including its MBUX infotainment system, which provides robust voice command functionality.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 144" WB Cargo 3dr Van (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

Not EPA tested

$274/mo

Avg. Large Van

Calculate my fuel costs

Competitors such as the Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster and even the body-on-frame Chevy Express are capable, no doubt. They're also typically less expensive. But the Sprinter is the most refined of the bunch and offers a superior driving experience. Whether you're looking for an airport shuttle van, a massive cargo van for package delivery, or a recreational van to unplug from city life, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has you covered.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.4

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7/10

How does the Sprinter drive? We tested a 2500-series passenger van with the base four-cylinder engine. Getting around town is easy thanks to its well-tuned automatic transmission and easy off-the-line power delivery. But 188 hp just isn't enough to get this van moving with any authority, and that's especially the case if you've got a heavy load or you're going up a grade. We recommend upgrading to the turbodiesel V6.

Our van's brakes were also underwhelming and didn't provide as much stopping confidence as we'd like. Steering and handling, however, lead the class. If you're taking the Scout troop on a mountain retreat, you likely won't have any reservations driving the Sprinter up curvy mountain roads.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Sprinter? The Sprinter doesn't have typical Mercedes-Benz levels of comfort, but it does lead the passenger van segment when it comes to seat comfort. The ride quality is quite stiff, but a full load of passengers and their stuff will likely settle things down a bit.

This big barn-shaped vehicle makes a bit of noise on the road, especially as the wind passes over the tall windshield and large side mirrors. But there isn't much noise from the road or from the four-cylinder engine, even at full throttle. The climate control system deals with high temps relatively well, which is important for a large group on a road trip.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The Sprinter gets high marks for an abundance of passenger space, a user-friendly control layout and better-than-expected visibility. This generation of Sprinter now comes standard with a rearview camera, which is a big plus, and access to the back rows is relatively easy once you're inside. It's difficult to get in and out of such a tall vehicle, and driving position isn't perfect, but those aren't deal-breakers.

Shorter drivers will find the driving position to be suboptimal. The driver's seat has height adjustability but it is limited in its range, and the steering wheel is tilt-only — this means you'll have to move pretty far forward if you're of shorter stature.

Technology

6/10

How’s the tech? There isn't much tech on a base Sprinter, which is what we tested. The standard infotainment system doesn't have any voice controls, there is no smartphone integration (other than connecting for Bluetooth audio), and the standard stereo has poor sound quality. Thankfully, there are a few USB-C ports throughout the cabin for charging your devices.

Our recommendation — for tech-savvy buyers anyway — is to upgrade to one of the Sprinter's larger touchscreen displays. The Mercedes MBUX touchscreen system is mostly bundled together in larger packages, using a 7-inch or 10.25-inch touchscreen, and it's paired with features such as wireless smartphone charging, integrated navigation and parking sensors.

Blind-spot monitoring was the only driver aid on our test vehicle. It worked well and didn't issue any false or annoying alerts. Lane keeping assist, parking sensors and other driver aids are also optional, but these weren't equipped on our test van.

Storage

8.5/10

How’s the storage? Few vehicles on Earth are as utilitarian as the Sprinter. Massive cargo space behind the fourth row of seats, a number of D-ring cargo tie-down points, and a low load floor mean you can get large items in and secure them with ease. The underseat storage area is massive too. You truly can carry 12 passengers and all their things if you want.

Car seats will be a bit tougher to load because of the high step-in height, but there's plenty of room between each row and several anchor points to secure them.

Small-item storage is prioritized for the front seats. For some reason Mercedes gives you 10(!) cupholders up front. There are small pullout cupholders for the back rows and netted seatback storage for other items.

While capacity varies based on the configuration, a 2500 Sprinter Passenger van has the potential to provide a class-leading 9,480-pound GVWR and a payload capacity of 3,441 pounds. Only a few competitors match those numbers, and most lag far behind. Maximum towing is 5,000 pounds, an impressive number for the class.

Fuel Economy

7/10

How’s the fuel economy? The 2500 Sprinter Passenger resides in a heavy-duty category that is exempt from EPA fuel economy testing and labeling. The 2.0-liter engine, though, is relatively efficient when you consider how much weight it's pulling around. Our test van returned 17.1 mpg on our 115-mile city-and-highway evaluation route. We expect the diesel powertrain will outperform the base four-cylinder in this category, but it does have a higher cost of entry.

Value

7.5/10

Is the Sprinter a good value? The Sprinter costs a bit more than most rivals but makes up for it with excellent build quality, a great warranty and multiple attractive prepaid service plans. And while our test vehicle van came with limited optional equipment, it's worth noting that Sprinters can get all sorts of impressive upgrades if you're looking to class things up a bit. The 10.25-inch touchscreen with Mercedes' MBUX is a favorite of ours, and, given the choice, we'd opt for one of the upgraded stereos as well.

Wildcard

7.5/10

While it isn't extraordinarily classy or fantastically unique, the Sprinter is a bit nicer than your average passenger van. It also has more attractive exterior styling and better on-road dynamics than most, making it more enjoyable to drive in most any scenario.

Which Sprinter does Edmunds recommend?

Picking a Sprinter largely comes down to getting a configuration that matches your passenger- or cargo-carrying needs. We recommend getting the turbodiesel engine, which is an option on some Sprinters. It significantly increases the Sprinter's towing and payload capacities and should help boost fuel economy too.

2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter models

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a full-size van available in cargo, passenger and crew configurations. All vans come in 144-inch and 170-inch wheelbase lengths, and the longer-wheelbase versions are also available in extra-long cargo and crew configurations. A choice of high roof or standard roof is available on all three configurations.

Mercedes also offers regular 1500 and 2500 models and heavy-duty 3500 and 4500 models. The standard engine on 1500 and 2500 models is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (188 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Optional on 2500 models and standard on 3500 and 4500 models is a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 (188 hp, 325 lb-ft) paired with a seven-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional.

Standard equipment on the cargo van includes:

Metal cargo floor
270-degree-opening rear doors
Air conditioning
Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
Rearview camera
Sound system with two USB ports

The crew van (2500 and up) adds:

Three-seat, second-row bench for five-passenger seating
Side-door windows

The passenger van (available in 1500 and 2500 configurations) features:

Three rows of rear seats
Rear interior trim and tinted rear windows

The options list is lengthy and can change a bit depending on configuration, but it includes:

Driver-side sliding rear door
Heavy-duty suspension
Front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree parking camera
Upgraded front seats with a heating function
Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with either a 7- or a 10.25-inch touchscreen
Navigation system

Cargo and crew vans can be equipped with driver-compartment partitions, a roof fan (or heater), a fixed rear sunroof, roof rails and various interior storage options. The passenger van can be equipped with rear air conditioning.

Optional driver aids for all three models include:

Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse)
Lane keeping assist (steers the car back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

1.5/5Below Average

#3 out of 3 among Luxury Minivans

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter from 2008-2022.}

$1,114/yr

vs. $1,114/yr
for Average Luxury Minivan

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

4.46x/yr

vs. 3.01x/yr
for Average Luxury Minivan

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

19.2%

vs. 14.4%
for Average Luxury Minivan

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

5 (33%)

4 (5%)

3 (0%)

2 (10%)

1 (52%)

2.6

21 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 21 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

1st van, I'm really liking it! 18-26 mpg, business

Satisfied, MB purest, 10/23/2019

2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 170" WB Cargo 3dr Van w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)

Waited for 2019, happy I did. A few warranty items taken care of by dealership. January got gelled up at -30. Lesson learned-only #1 diesel and additive to prevent. Dealership covered my $1500 bill!! Seems reliable and safe for the miles I put on in 4 different states for my business. Note: seems much different than all the Mercedes sedans that I have owned. I shouldn't compare. …

Stay away from Mercedes!

Bad taste in my mouth., 11/30/2021

2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 170" WB Crew 3dr Van 4WD w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)

This poor excuse for a vehicle is, once again, in the Mercedes dealer shop for a bad EGR valve. It has been there for 2 months and I just heard it will be at least another 6 months before Mercedes can manufacture the part. They won't even allow us to take the van as it is an emmissions problem. This is the 3rd time for the same issue and each time it has taken at least 2 months to get …

February 2021 update.

ANDY SHELLCROSS, 10/23/2020

2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500XD 170" WB Crew 3dr Van 4WD DRW w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)

Update: The differential has now been replaced. It is not perfect, but is a solid 75% improvement. Still a little whine but not close to how loud the whine was previously. The axle came so complete, it even had rotors and brake pads attached. The whole complete axle was replaced. Loving the van, still a shame that I had to go 12,000 miles before it was repaired, it took six months but is …

JUNK

Bobby, 09/28/2023

2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 170" WB Crew 3dr Van w/High Roof (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)

One word - JUNK !!!!! Problems with EGR - The Crosswind sensor locks up - Little wind and goes from side to side like drunk - Crossing the bridge you have to pray for no winds - Seats are made so close to the door rubbing your leg . Like I said expensive piece of sh...t .

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sprinter since its last redesign.

See all 21 reviews of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

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2020 Sprinter Highlights

Type:

Van

Trim:

1500 144" WB Cargo

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$34,495
Engine Type	Gas
Seating	2 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	319.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Sprinter models:

Adaptive Cruise Control: Keeps a set distance behind the car in front of you and brakes automatically when it slows down, adapting to traffic conditions.
Lane Keeping Assist: Monitors lane markings and sends visual and audible warnings if the driver drifts from the lane.
Load-Adaptive Stability Control: Factors in vehicle load and center of gravity and can brake individual wheels and reduce engine power to stabilize the van if wheelspin is detected.

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2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Review

2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 144" WB Cargo 3dr Van (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Sprinter does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

1st van, I'm really liking it! 18-26 mpg, business

Stay away from Mercedes!

February 2021 update.

JUNK

2020 Sprinter Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 144" WB Cargo 3dr Van (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in Virginia.}