Whether for business or pleasure, you have options when it comes to selecting a van to customize. Today, we are making a direct comparison between two extremely popular models: the Mercedes Benz Sprinter and the Ford Transit Cargo. We’ll compare price points, performance, comfort, and more so you can make an informed decision when it comes time to find your perfect van.
Sprinter and Transit Dimensions
The base model of the 2023 Mercedes Benz Sprinter cargo van, the 2500, starts with a 144” wheel base. The 4500 extends the WB up to 170”. Mercedes has regular and high roof options, maxing out at 110.9”. As for legroom, there is 38.9” in the front row, and 47.3” of headroom in the Mercedes sprinter.
The Ford Transit base model has a WB of 130”, maxing out at 148” inches even in the longest available model. At a max height of 110.4”, it is pretty much on par with Mercedes in that department. The Ford wins when it comes to legroom and headroom, however: 41.3” of legroom in all models, and a max of 56.6” of headroom in the Transit-EL.
As for cargo space, Mercedes Benz takes the lead with up to 532.6 cubic inches of cargo space in the 4500, vs the Transit’s max of 487.3 cubic inches.
Mercedes Benz Sprinter vs Ford Transit Engine Specs
The Ford Transit vans utilize a 3.5L V6 engine, with the option of an Eco Boost version. The standard engine gets 275 hp and lb-ft of torque. Add the Eco Boost, and the numbers shoot up to 310 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. We’re not gonna lie, that’s impressive.
The problem with the Ford Transit is that it is gas-powered. The Mercedes Sprinters, on the other hand, have a 4 cylinder diesel engine, with the option to upgrade to a high-output turbocharged engine. Between the two, the hp and torque are less than Ford’s Transit (the Sprinter maxes out at 211 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque); however, the diesel engine means that the Mercedes Sprinter wins in the long term. Diesel engines can last up to twice as long as their gas-fueled counterparts, making Mercedes the clear winner in terms of resale value and initial investment.
Towing and Weight Restrictions in Sprinter vs Transit
The Mercedes Benz Sprinter has options that allow it to tow up to 7500 lbs and accommodate a payload of up to 6812 lbs. The Ford Transit Cargo van base model can tow 100 lbs more than the Mercedes Benz 2500, but its maximum towing capacity is 6000. Furthermore, it can tolerate a payload of no more than 5114 lbs on the largest available model.
In other words, the Mercedes Benz Sprinter can tow more and hold more, which makes it more flexible for customization.
Mercedes Benz Sprinter Price vs Ford Transit Price
The Sprinter MSRP starts at $49,990; the Transit starts at $44,455. We feel the initial price difference of around $5,000 is more than mitigated by the fact that the Sprinter has the diesel engine. You’ll be hard pressed to extend the life of your Ford Transit past 200,000, whereas the Sprinter can easily surpass 300,000 miles with routine maintenance.
Transit Interior vs Sprinter Interior
This is another department where the Mercedes Benz Sprinter is the clear winner. The Transit interior isn’t bad, per se, but it is extremely bare bones and a touch old fashioned: think vinyl upholstery and plastic details. While the interior of the Sprinter might be minimalist compared to Mercedes usual standards, it runs circles around the Transit and other full-size van competitors. A sleek central touch screen, chrome accents, and ultra comfy front seats make this one of the most driver-centric vans on the market.
Test Drive a Mercedes Benz Sprinter
You don’t need to take our word for it. Stop by the Mercedes Benz of Littleton dealership to see for yourself why the Sprinter Cargo remains one of the most popular choices for personal van conversions and business owners alike. We have a full inventory of new and pre-owned vehicles available. Call or go online today to get started.
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