Used 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 Passenger

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a high-quality full-size van. It comes in Cargo, Crew, Passenger, and Cab Chassis versions, along with a choice of engines, roof heights, wheelbase lengths, body lengths, accommodations, payload, and towing capacities.

The number of possible permutations runs into the thousands. It’s highly likely, then, that anyone wanting to buy a new full-size van could find their perfect purchase somewhere in the 2021 Sprinter range. And if the idea of buying a Mercedes-Benz instead of a Ford seems extravagant, remember this is the commercial side of the 3-pointed star. In Europe, there are Mercedes-Benz big rigs.

The company’s engineering expertise is here in the Sprinter, along with driver aids and infotainment systems that have been developed and produced by one of the most accomplished automotive manufacturers on the planet. So although the Sprinter’s rivals — like the Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, Chevrolet Express, and Nissan NV — are not as pricey, the old adage of getting what you pay for still applies.

To strengthen the argument in favor, the Sprinter is now made in South Carolina (the current generation debuted for the 2019 model year) and therefore not subject to any import tariffs. Mercedes-Benz offers telematics features and fleet services. And the Sprinter has a 5-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

This is where the driver can really perceive some of the engineering expertise for which Mercedes-Benz is renowned. This is a full-size van, but the 2021 Sprinter doesn’t act like one when it’s on the move.

The steering is light enough to fend off fatigue, yet it’s also precise and responsive. The suspension keeps body lean in check through corners, but retains a smoothness even when the van is loaded up.

The choice of engine really depends on what kind of work a new Sprinter will be doing. But each one is good for what it is. The diesel V6 brings the option of all-wheel drive. It’s also refined and flexes its muscle well from low engine speeds. Crucially, engine noise — whose contribution to driver fatigue shouldn’t be underestimated — is kept to a minimum.

When equipped properly, with things like dual rear wheels, the Sprinter can tow up to 7,500 pounds. But even the lightest-duty version can pull 5,000 pounds.

There’s nothing inside the 2021 Sprinter Cargo van. Well, apart from a couple of seats, steering wheel (a new multi-function version for 2021), dashboard… that kind of thing. Which is how it should be. It’s the buyers who decide what goes into their vans, whether that’s Amazon Prime packages, plumbing paraphernalia, an electrician’s effects, or any number of things.

The few things in there are of good quality. Not at the same level of plushness as Mercedes-Benz luxury cars and SUVs, but still nice enough. The seats are comfortable, in anticipation of the many hours a driver will spend in the saddle. And one of the advantages of being a Mercedes-Benz is the option of an excellent MBUX infotainment system that can be activated by saying, “Hey Mercedes” or “Hey Sprinter” then give commands like, “find the nearest gas station.”

If the plan is for a 6-footer to stand up inside the cargo section, get a version with the higher roof. This is an especially good idea with the Passenger Sprinter, which starts out as a 12-seater, but offers an extended length to accommodate 15. Parking structures with low ceilings are off-limits, though.

Payload capacities range from 3,920 pounds in the 1500 to 6,768 pounds in 4500 versions. These figures are excellent for the class.

Tall, somewhat narrow vans are the European way. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is like that, so are the Ford Transit and Ram ProMaster. All three have their roots across the Atlantic, where streets can be tight.

Despite being a commercial vehicle, the 2021 Sprinter still has a certain aura to it with that big 3-pointed star on the grille. The large windshield provides excellent forward vision, the big side mirrors are reassuring, and Crew versions have side windows for the second seating row.

The Cargo and Crew vans keep things simple with a black front bumper. The Passenger does at least come with the option of a body-colored counterpart for a smattering of visual interest.

3.0-LITER TURBODIESEL V6
Diesel still makes a lot of sense in the commercial vehicle world, and Mercedes-Benz has had a lot of experience making and refining diesel engines. The optional turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel V6 in the 2021 Sprinter balances muscular torque with fuel efficiency, low running costs, and impressive durability.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
The Sprinter and Ford Transit are the only full-size vans to offer all-wheel drive. It’s a great feature for life in the Snowbelt, but could also turn vans into, say, mountain rescue vehicles. The Sprinter’s system includes low-range gearing and a slightly raised ride height.

Let’s start with the 2021 Sprinter Cargo 1500 model since that’s as basic as it gets. It comes with a 4-cylinder gasoline engine, standard-height roof, and a 144-inch wheelbase. Plus a bare metal cargo floor with a load width of about 61 inches, 319 cubic feet of cargo space, a multi-function steering wheel that adjusts for height but not reach, 16-inch steel wheels, heated/power-adjustable side mirrors, cruise control, air conditioning, manually adjustable seats (just two up front), passenger-side sliding door, rear doors that open out 180 degrees, and a trailer-hitch prep package.

Safety features include a stability control system that adapts for the load, a rearview camera, hold function, hill start assistance, crosswind assistance, and automatic emergency braking.

The minimal infotainment system includes Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, an auxiliary audio input, two USB-C ports, AM/FM radio, and four speakers.

The Crew version has a second seating row, and the Passenger version starts out as a 12-seater.

Get comfortable, because options for the 2021 Sprinter are many and varied. As well as different body styles, a couple of diesel engines, all-wheel drive, and dual rear wheels, there are 2500, 3500, 3500XD, and 4500 versions — all capable of taking greater amounts of weight.

The Passenger version can take up to 15 occupants and provide extra USB-C ports for them. An extended wheelbase of 170 inches offers a longer rear overhang. And buyers can choose a higher roof. Maximum cargo space is 532.6 cubic feet.

The front seats can swivel, have their own suspensions, be heated and/or have power adjustment. Advanced safety features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, 360-degree camera system, active lane-keeping, road sign recognition, and driver attention monitoring are all available.

We recommend selecting these assistance features. If they can prevent an accident, then it’s safer for drivers, pedestrians, and other road users alike. And they can keep the Sprinter on the road rather than in the repair shop.

The infotainment setup is upgradable to the company’s voice-controlled MBUX system with a 10.25-inch touchscreen. Although it’s a shame that Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration is not available.

Other features include Wi-Fi, wireless charging, satellite radio, navigation, heated windshield, powered sliding side door, sidestep, and a cargo protection package. Alternatively, anyone buying a new Sprinter can have it upfitted with specialized equipment according to requirements. The Sprinter could just as easily be an ambulance or an RV.

A turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine is the default method of propulsion for the 1500 Cargo, Crew, and Passenger Sprinter vans. It makes 188 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

The horsepower count is low compared with the basic V6 engines of the Ford Transit and Ram ProMaster, but the torque figure isn’t far off. And torque, the force that creates thrust, is the more important aspect.

A 9-speed automatic transmission sends that drive to the rear wheels.

The newly available 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine develops 161 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. It comes in at the 2500 Cargo level. The transmission here is a 7-speed automatic, and rear-wheel drive is once again the sole configuration.

The kraken of 2021 Sprinter engines is a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 generating 188 horsepower and a substantial 325 lb-ft of torque. A 7-speed automatic transmission is also deployed here. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is optional with this engine.

Because the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a full-size van, there are no fuel economy estimates from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). But we’ve found a few current owners who manage around 14 miles per gallon with the gasoline engine, and the bigger diesel engine can achieve 21 mpg on the highway.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
188 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-3,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
161 horsepower @ N/A rpm
266 lb-ft of torque @ N/A rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

3.0-liter turbodiesel V6
188 horsepower @ 3,800 rpm
325 lb-ft of torque @ 1,400-2,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

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