2025 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Review, Pricing, and Specs (2024)

Overview

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter rolls into 2025 with only minimal updates to the box-on-wheel blueprint that’s been servicing tradesmen, delivery companies, and shuttle services for three decades. Versatility is baked in with three available lengths, two wheelbases, two roof heights, and three basic formats: the bare bones Cargo, the people-and-gear-hauling Crew, and the people-moving Passenger. But that’s just for starters, as a vast network of aftermarket suppliers and upfitters are on hand to help you dial in your Sprinter to fit your exact needs. The last Sprinter gasoline engine departed the lineup in 2023, but two turbocharged diesels–a standard 168 horsepower unit and high-output 208 hp version–send ample if not class-leading grunt through the standard nine-speed automatic to get the job done. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is available. Standard equipment includes keyless start, a heated driver’s seat, and cruise control; the Mercedes me connect with “Optimized Assistance” is included with a free 12-month subscription, and specialty-fleet vehicle management and productivity software are available. Though the full-size van market is focused on a narrow demographic, competition remains intense. The Ford Transit and Ram ProMaster are the Sprinter's primary rivals, but the new wave of battery-electric vans like the eSprinter, E-Transit, and ProMaster EV are providing a new way for users to look at short-range and urban delivery options. Still, the diesel-powered Sprinter remains a respected and known entity in an evolving landscape.

What's New for 2025?

Sprinter updates for 2025 start with a new Hightech Silver finish and extends to a reshuffling of package content and standard and optional features. Tire pressure monitoring is now standard on dual-wheel models, rain-sensing wipers are now standard, and the Comfort Plus package adds a heated steering wheel. The blind-spot monitoring system has the ability to warn drivers of a cyclist to their right when making a right turn, and the 360-degree camera system now also scans the area immediately ahead of the van and warns of a pedestrian or cyclist in that zone when the van first starts moving.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

It’s difficult to pick an overall favorite as most tradesmen and fleet buyers have a specific idea of what they want and need from a van before they hit the showroom. That said, the crew van serves as a nice middle ground with a second row of seats and windows that still leaves room for plenty of gear. We’d add the Comfort Plus package for its power-adjustable, heated front seats and heated steering wheel. Replacing the standard 7-inch infotainment with the 10.3-inch screen requires the pricey Premium Plus package, but it includes navigation, traffic sign assist, wireless charging, and an acoustic noise reduction package.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Sprinter relies exclusively on diesel power (save for the eSprinter EV, reviewed separately) in two strengths. The base engine is a 2.0-liter turbodiesel rated for 168 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The optional high-output engine is rated for 208 hp and 332 pound-feet. Both feed a nine-speed automatic transmission; all-wheel drive is available, but only with the high-output engine. While not as potent as the Ford Transit’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 with 310 horses and 400 pound-feet or the 6.6-liter V-8 in the GMC Savana making 401 ponies and 464 pound-feet, the Sprinter's diesels serve dutifully if without any sense of urgency. Though no van boasts razor-sharp handling, the Sprinter's standard load adaptive stability control and available crosswind assist at least help keep it out of trouble in dicey situations.

Towing and Payload Capacity

The 2025 Sprinter can tow up to 7500 pounds when equipped with the high-output diesel, but the standard diesel is good for only 5000 pounds. The Passenger van is also good to tug 5000 pounds, but only in the regular length, 12-passenger version not the 15-passenger spec. The Sprinter's maximum payload is 6812 pounds, but that requires opting for the Cargo van with the high-output engine in its heavy-duty 4500 chassis; the passenger van is rated for 3307 pounds.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Commercial vehicles with a gross-vehicle-weight rating (GVWR) of more than 8500 pounds are not subject to fuel economy testing by the Environmental Protection Agency. The last Benz van we tested was a 2019 Sprinter 3500XD with a discontinued 188-hp turbodiesel V-6 and seven-speed automatic. During our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test, it managed 15 mpg.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Full-size van interiors have always been spartan from the factory, but the Sprinter offers a modicum of comfort features. The Comfort Package Plus brings several features including sculptured, power-adjustable seats with lumbar support and an overhead control panel, and an available leather covering for the standard tilt steering wheel. There’s also a swivel-seat option with a lower seat base for the front occupants that can aid with ingress and egress. Crucially, the Cargo van offers a maximum of 533 cubic feet of load space; the Crew van can swallow a max of 371 cubes, and even the Passenger van can hold 111 cubes. Speaking of which, the Passenger Van with the 144-inch wheelbase seats 12 comfortably while the 170-inch wheelbase version can fit 15 passengers.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Given the focus on utility, Infotainment and connectivity options in full-size vans typically skew towards simple functionality rather than stunning gee-whiz presentation. Fittingly, the standard audio system is a basic AM/FM radio with a tiny LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a single USB-C port. The Premium package includes a 7.0-inch touchscreen and, somewhat curiously, is bundled with lane-keeping assist and a windshield wiper-washer system that dispenses fluid from the wiper blades rather than spray nozzles. The Premium Plus package steps up to a 10.3-inch screen, adds navigation, a wireless phone-charging tray, Traffic Sign Assist, and additional air vents for the storage area on the instrument panel. Both option packages also include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Mercedes provides the Sprinter with a list of driver-assistance technology, but the majority of systems offered are optional. For more information about the Sprinter's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking
• Available blind-spot monitor
• Available lane-keeping assist

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Mercedes-Benz's limited warranty on the Sprinter is typical for this class. However, its powertrain coverage is longer than most. Mercedes also doesn't pay for any scheduled maintenance.

• Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance

More Features and Specs