2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passenger Van

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passenger Van is available in two classes – 1500 and 2500. Sprinter 1500 is available only with a 2.0L turbocharged inline 4 cylinder gasoline engine. Sprinter 2500 is available with any of the three engine options – a 2.0L turbocharged I4 gasoline engine, a 2.0L turbocharged Inline-4 diesel engine, and a 3.0L turbocharged diesel V6 engine. There is also a 3.0L turbo V6 diesel which could be had with a 2WD or a 4WD option. Along with that, there is a 144” wheelbase option and a 170” wheelbase option which is exclusive with the diesel engines. There are also options of a standard roof and a high roof. The 144” wheelbase option can seat 12 passengers while the 170” wheelbase option can seat 15 passengers. 

There are multiple packages on offer with the Sprinter which include a Comfort Package worth $269 and adds a comfort overhead control panel, lumbar support, armrests, and comfort restraints for the driver and co-driver. The Premium Package adds a leather steering wheel, an upgraded MBUX Multimedia System with a 7‘‘ touchscreen, Active Distance Assist - DISTRONIC, a wet wiper system, Active Lane Keeping Assist, and an Instrument cluster with color display for $1,181 while the Premium Plus Package adds Navigation and some extra bits to this list. The following table shows the detailed list of features and prices of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passenger Van-

Which Trim should you buy?

We recommend you opt for the Sprinter 2500 with a short wheelbase and standard roof. Unless you have a special purpose or need to carry more passengers opt for the Long wheelbase variant. Remember the long-wheelbase variant can only be had with a Diesel V6 engine. 

The 2022 Mercedes Sprinter Passenger Van comes with a small 2.0L turbocharged inline 4 gasoline engine, which produces a meager 188 horses and 258 lb. ft. of torque. The engine is lackluster in terms of performance, and acceleration is very sluggish. There are two more engine options on offer – a 2.0L Inline-4 turbo-diesel and a 3.0L V6 turbo diesel. The 2.0L turbo-diesel makes 161 hp while the 3.0L V6 turbo diesel makes 188 hp. The V6 diesel churns out 325 lb. ft. of torque which is considerably more than the 2.0L I4 gasoline engine.

 The gasoline engine is mated to a 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox, while the diesel engines are mated to a 7G-Tronic automatic transmission. The gearbox is very smooth and precise and also downshifts quickly on pressing the accelerator hard for overtakes. These vans are not built for drag races but for towing heavy loads. The Sprinter van takes a comfortable 10.9 seconds for the 0-60MPH run and the quarter-mile timing is nearly double that. Opting for the Turbodiesel V6 improves the tow rating and performance slightly.

2022 Mercedes Benz Sprinter passenger van surprises with its handling abilities. It has good straight-line stability. But being a van means that body roll will be inherent, the Mercedes does a good job in keeping it to a minimum. The van remains planted on the road even at triple-digit speeds. However, on the highway, it may need to tackle crosswinds. Metris vans get Crosswind assist which helps keep the vehicle stable at high speeds but the Sprinter does not. The suspension duties are handled by McPherson Struts at the front and leaf springs at the rear. Being a van, the ride is very rough and bouncy, especially in bad road conditions.

*2021 MY data used for reference

The Ford Transit T-250 has a large 3.5L V6 naturally aspirated engine producing 275 HP which is much more than that of the Sprinter Van. It accelerates the fastest to 60, in just 7.7 seconds. The Sprinter van takes almost 11 seconds to reach 60, which is not commendable. The Ford also covers the quarter-mile fastest in just 16 seconds. 

The GM twins have a large 4.3L V6 but these engines are optimized for towing; not drag strip races. They take 145 ft to stop when the brakes are slammed from 60-0MPH. The stopping distance of the Merc is decent at 140 feet and with Active brake assist onboard, there is no chance of wheel slipping or skidding. Ford is the heaviest of the lot and we expect it to stop a little later than the GM twins.

The 2022 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Passenger van may have the least power and torque figures amongst the competition, but it does have an ace up its sleeve. i.e., its fuel economy. This is the most important for commercial operators, who are the main customers of these passenger vans. Although we don't have official EPA ratings, the Sprinter van equipped with the gasoline engine is expected to return 20 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. It also comes with a decent 24.5-gallon fuel tank.

*2021 MY data used for reference

Since these are commercial vehicles, EPA does not generally rate its fuel economy. However, expect the Sprinter to offer a better economy than its V6 counterparts. GM twins offer larger fuel tanks and this is expected considering their large engines. The Ford Transit also offers a higher capacity fuel tank compared to the Mercedes which has the lowest capacity fuel tank. 

The 2022 Mercedes Sprinter Van gets an ergonomic interior design. The seats get cloth upholstery as standard and by Passenger van standards they are plush and comfortable. Moreover, they offer good under-thigh support. The front driver and passenger seats are 4-way power-adjustable and there are added options for comfort and convenience like lumbar support and heating function for the front seats. The standard interior trim is in Maturin Black Fabric while you could upgrade it to Caluma Black fabric or Black Leatherette for an extra price. 

The dashboard looks futuristic with the touchscreen infotainment system sitting in the middle. Like Mercedes Benz cars, the Sprinter Passenger Van also gets steering wheel-mounted audio controls. The air conditioning vents are circular and look sporty with a piano black finish. As standard, the van offers four rows of seating with 12 passenger capacity but then can be upgraded to 15 seater accommodation with the Long wheelbase variant. Headroom is at large when you opt for the high roof variant. Moreover, you get tinted rear windows. That's all about the interiors.

*2021 MY data used for reference

Ford gets the largest trunk thanks to a large 148-inch wheelbase. The GM twins however offer better cargo space when you opt for the long-wheelbase variant. In terms of interior space and comfort, the Mercedes is the winner after it is a luxurious brand. The other rivals are much rugged and mostly people haulers rather than vanity vans. The Mercedes also offers a lot more luxury packages and options compared to the others. The following are the standout interior features in the 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter -

• Climate control
• Rear interior trim and tinted rear windows
• 4-way power-adjustable driver and front passenger seat
• Cloth upholstery
• Upgraded front seats with heating functions

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The 2022 Mercedes Sprinter Passenger Van gets a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment unit on the 1500 variant, while the 2500 variant gets a 10.25-inch touchscreen display unit. Both systems run on the MBUX multimedia system. The resolution is good and the graphics are incredible too. The infotainment system also supports wireless phone connectivity as well as voice commands.

The vehicle also gets a SiriusXM satellite radio subscription for 6 months. It also comes with in-built satellite navigation. Standout infotainment features include-

• 10.25-inch MBUX infotainment system (Optional In 1500)
• Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system
• Premium audio system
• Navigation system
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio

The 2022 Mercedes Sprinter Passenger van has a sleek and stylish exterior design, unlike its counterparts which are more rugged people haulers. The engineers at Mercedes have done a good job in making the van look cool. Moreover, the bold and wide front grille with chrome inserts and the large Mercedes badging look incredible. And the cool and sleek-looking LED Projector headlights along with the LED DRLs look spectacular. 

Apart from these, you also get tinted rear windows that go all the way to the back. You can also opt for the Driver's side sliding rear door and Heavy-duty suspension. Also, the 2022 Sprinter Passenger van is available in two roof options and two wheelbase options. And to add to the aesthetic appeal it is available in a variety of color options and the exterior finish is excellent. The color choices include seven free standard colors, ten premium, and five premium metallic ones.

*2021 MY data used for reference

The Sprinter Passenger is the lightest amongst the competition and is also one of the tallest with the standard roof option. The GMC Savana on the other hand has the maximum ground clearance. Ford Transit Passenger van has the largest wheelbase in the lot while the GM twins also offer an extended wheelbase option. The following are the standout exterior features of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-

• LED projector headlights
• LED DRLs
• Driver's side sliding rear door
• Heavy-duty suspension
• Available in High and Standard roof options
• Available in 144” and 170” wheelbase options

The 2022 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van, has got disc brakes on all four wheels. The brakes have good bite and feedback but they lack progression and feel a bit spongy. The brakes are not that confidence-inspiring, and there is considerable nose dive in case of panic braking which may be a bit unnerving. This is expected because it is a van. However, the stopping distance of 140 ft is respectable by passenger van standards.

Though the NHTSA and IIHS have not tested the 2022 Mercedes Sprinter Van, safety should not be a concern because Mercedes is known for its build quality and safety. Generally commercial vehicles are not crash-tested for safety. The Sprinter also gets a host of safety features like an active brake assist system for emergency braking, a 360-degree surround camera for all-around safety, a blindspot monitor, an Active distance assist Distronic system that keeps a safe distance between your vehicle and other vehicles, lane keep assist, traffic-sign assist, and attention assist. Standout safety features in the 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passenger Van are:

• Blind Spot Assist Mirror
• Attention Assist
• 360-Degree Camera
• Active Distance Assist Distronic
• Traffic Sign Assist
• Active Lane-Keeping Assist
• Active Brake Assist

2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passenger van vs 2021 Ford Transit Passenger van

The Ford Transit is the widely used passenger van in the market. The Ford gets a powerful engine and is better than the Merc in terms of performance, but the Merc is more comfortable and economical.

The Merc returns the best-in-class fuel efficiency, at the cost of an underpowered engine. The Merc is also more costly than the Ford. So, the Transit wins here.

2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passenger van vs 2021 Chevrolet Express Passenger Van

The Chevrolet Express has that old-school boxy design, while the Mercedes gets a futuristic stylish design. The Express offers great performance but is expected to be poor in fuel economy.

The Express costs considerably less than the Merc, but the Merc has a better and more comfortable interior. All this makes the Sprinter a better choice than the Express.

2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passenger van vs 2021 GMC Savana Passenger Van

The GMC Savana gets a larger and more powerful engine than the Sprinter Van. The GMC also gets a larger 31-gallon fuel tank.

But the Mercedes offers more comfortable seating and a better interior layout than the GMC. So, the Sprinter Passenger Van is the better choice here if it doesn't break your budget.

The new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passenger Van offers the best-in-class fuel economy, as well as superior interior comfort and convenience. It has a large practical boot, can seat 12 people comfortably. Though the engine feels a bit underpowered and sluggish, the target customer group is less likely to look for performance and more likely to choose something with better fuel economy, at which the Mercedes excels. So, if you want a really comfortable Passenger van with great reliability, the 2022 Sprinter Passenger van is a perfect choice. It is also one of the best travel experiences available in the segment as it offers a lot more luxury features and packages.