2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Crew Van

When buying Mercedes - no matter what vehicle it is - the chances of the price tag being cheap are almost nonexistent. So it is no surprise that the Sprinter Crew Van range is more costly than most vans in this segment. Standard wheelbase variants with the base four-cylinder engine in 2500 trim, have a starting MSRP of $41,290. Choosing the six-cylinder diesel adds $4,800 to your bill; opting for the 3500 trim level results in a sticker price of $48,390, while the 3500XD costs $50,690. At the top of the range is the 4500 with a price of $52,690. There is also the option to add the diesel engine in combination with a 4x4 drivetrain, resulting in two derivatives: the 2500, which is priced at $53,890 or the 3500XD at a whopping $58,490. A further charge of $3,000 applies when opting for the extended wheelbase. These prices exclude licensing, taxes, and a $1,195 destination and delivery fee.

Vans have a predisposition to being slow to accelerate and cumbersome to pilot, and in this regard, the Sprinter has managed to take the edge off this stereotyping quite well. The diesel engine, in particular, offers strong acceleration and although it takes a while to get up to speed (somewhere around 10 or 11 seconds to get to sixty miles per hour, depending on powertrain), it responds eagerly to throttle inputs. The Sprinter Crew is also more nimble than one would think, with good handling and easy, direct steering that makes it a brilliant option for drivers who are going to be spending a lot of time behind the wheel - no one likes a power-struggle just to get through a parking lot, and Merc has done well to create a van that doesn't neglect the driver's experience over pure practicality. With its high roof and longer wheelbase, it does catch the breeze very easily, though, but the German manufacturer has tried to mitigate this by means of standard crosswind assist. For the most part, the van offers a softer approach to ride quality but naturally suffers from body roll when thrown into corners enthusiastically. It's a good thing vans aren't normally pushed around a racetrack.

When it comes to purchasing a van, one has to consider its purpose, as well as what the potential benefits could be for investing in such a vehicle. With the cost of the Mercedes Sprinter Crew Van being slightly higher than many in this segment, it may seem like a better idea to opt for a cheaper van - but we'd advise against it most strongly. Very few vans in this segment have the list of features that the Sprinter has, not to mention the optional driver aids that are generally left off vehicles such as this totally. While many manufacturers do this to keep costs low, especially for those investing in fleet vehicles, Mercedes has done the opposite: made all these features available, but at quite a premium. But, with the ability to prioritize driver and passenger safety, added to the brilliant diesel engine that is available, excellent towing capacities, and really nice interior, we wouldn't hesitate to cough up for it.

Suggesting one model over the other is an almost impossible task, as it requires an understanding of what the buyer is looking to use the vehicle for. With all trim levels having the same roof height and seating capacity, main differences lie in wheelbase, capability, and engine output - and in this regard, we'd opt for the diesel engine. If you live or work in an area often plagued by adverse weather conditions, you may want to think about opting for the 4x4-paired diesel, but beware of the huge increase in price here. We'd stick with the six-cylinder and the standard drivetrain, and opt for the 3500 trim. If you want all-wheel-drive you can have it on the 2500 for a more affordable premium, or with the 3500XD, if you need a little more towing and payload capacity. The 3500 is a good midway that provides a little more utility and doesn't break the bank. Well, not too much, anyway.

So if you're buying a van with seating a priority over cargo space, why not go the whole hog and buy the Sprinter Passenger Van? Also available with the extended wheelbase, the Passenger Van can seat between 12 and 15 passengers and has the same powertrain options available. This obviously cuts down on available cargo space in the rear, but adds some luxurious interior trim, two or three additional rows of seats, throws additional speakers into the rear to carry audio through to the passengers, and installs windows in the back for extra visibility. The rest of the features are shared between these two vans, with only the purpose of the vehicle really affecting the setup. While the Crew Van is set up for smaller groups, small businesses that need some packing space, or exclusive shuttle services (think exclusive Uber Van), the Passenger Van is designed as a bussing-focused vehicle and would do well as a tourist shuttle or group transport service. The latter also costs around $1,700 more at the base level, with costs increasing quite rapidly during customization.

The Ford Transit is arguably the quintessential blue-collar van in the States, and the Transit Passenger offers a much more attractive price than the Mercedes Sprinter Crew Van does. Starting at around $35,840, the Ford Transit can be configured with any one of three roof heights, three different wheelbase lengths, and three different engines. It can seat from five passengers all the way through to fifteen, and - in its most comparable format with five occupants catered for - has 197.9 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the second row. This is 60-odd cubic feet less than the Sprinter Crew, but this is largely due to not being able to equip the high-roof to the Transit in standard wheelbase layout. What the Ford does have going for it, is a vast number of potential configurations, meaning you can customize your van to suit your needs to a tee, and at a cheaper price than what the Merc van costs. You won't have the benefit of the posh interior, and you lose out on the more advanced features available in the Sprinter. We still prefer the Sprinter, but don't discount the advantages of the Ford too quickly either. Depending on what you need the van for, take both for a test drive before making a final call.