Pickup trucks are some of the most popular new and pre-owned vehicles purchased currently. For years, it’s been speculated that Mercedes-Benz would finally produce a truck for the American market. But why should Mercedes do that when they have the perfect alternative to a truck already in the Sprinter van?
Everything You Can Do I Can Do Better
MotorTrend spent an entire year with a Sprinter 2500 AWD Crew Van and determined that, when compared to a truck of similar size and value, the Sprinter held its own in nearly every situation, with Aaron Gold, the author of the review, saying, “A year of using the Mercedes Sprinter as my pickup truck has made me a van convert. With the notable exception of towing, everything our pickup can do, our Sprinter van did as well or better, including hauling, daily-driving, and off-roading.”
Why A Sprinter Van?
What makes the Sprinter 2500 so brilliant? The journalist, Aaron, has some mules in his family, and they have always had pickup trucks to take care of them as well as handle equine duties. When looking for a new 12-month test vehicle, MotorTrend opted for the Sprinter for a nice change to see if Aaron could replace his aging Chevy Silverado and Jeep Liberty. In 2023, he tried a Nissan Frontier that did well, but he was curious if other vehicles could work.
Engine and Power
The Sprinter Crew Van was powered by a 2.0-liter turbodiesel inline-4 with 208 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. Power was routed to all four wheels via a 9-speed automatic. With a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs and a total payload of 2,988 lbs, the van can use nearly all of its payload capacity while still being able to tow the full 5,000 lbs.
What To Keep in Mind When Towing
When you tow with a truck, you need to subtract the weight of all passengers and cargo in the vehicle from the total towing capacity, because you can’t tow as much when you have a truck full of people and luggage. However, when towing heavy trailers, the Sprinter van maintains its payload capacity without issue.
Sprinter vs Ram 2500
In order to find out if he truly wanted a Sprinter over a truck, Aaron contacted Ram and was sent a Ram 2500 to compare against the Mercedes. Being a truck, you’d think that the Ram would have some sort of major advantage, but it really didn’t. It is also worth noting that the Sprinter can be optioned to include more or fewer seats.
What MotorTrend Had to Say
“The van was a nicer-driving vehicle than I expected, with responsive steering and surprisingly good directional stability—better than the Ram 2500, in fact. One can blame the pickup’s wandering steering on its off-road tires, but it turns out the van was pretty capable off-road, as well. We took it on an outing with a Jeep Wagoneer, and the Sprinter went everywhere the SUV did. The Sprinter’s secret weapon is its massive ground clearance ... The van’s driving position was brilliant, and the short hood meant we could see into the cars ahead.”
Come Down to Ewing Mercedes-Benz of Plano to Test the Sprinter
So, in the end, the Sprinter 2500 AWD Crew Van did what was asked of it, and very well. So, if you are in the market for a pickup truck, maybe step on over to Ewing Mercedes-Benz of Plano to check out a Sprinter first and get acquainted with one to see if it would fit the needs of your business and your family.
Why Choose Ewing Mercedes-Benz of Plano
At Ewing Mercedes-Benz of Plano, we strive to offer the best sales and service to you, our customers. Whether it be new or pre-owned Mercedes-Benz vehicles, our sales team and finance department will work tirelessly to assist you in getting the perfect car at an excellent price. And when it’s time to take care of your vehicle, the service department will treat every car or SUV as if it were their own, ensuring it’s handed over to you in the best possible condition.
AdChoices