Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van vs. Ford Transit
Is it time to upgrade your cargo van to one with a taller roof or longer wheelbase? Do you need a 12- to 15-person passenger van for commutes? Whether you need a spacious cargo van or an accommodating passenger van for commercial work or business in Birmingham, Alabama, the Mercedes Sprinter or Ford Transit will satisfy your needs. Discover how their engine performance, passenger comfort, cargo capacities, and interior technologies compare in this ultimate van showdown.
Body Style Options
The Sprinter model vans offer more versatility with five options: the Cargo Van, Crew Van, Passenger Van, Passenger Van Select, and Cab Chassis. Depending on the trim, you can choose from a standard or high roof and a 144-inch or 170-inch wheelbase.
The Ford Transit vans only come in three styles: the Cargo Van, Passenger Van XL, and Passenger Van XLT. However, you have the option of three roof heights: low, medium, and high. The Ford vans also offer a choice of regular, long, and long-EL lengths, with a 130-inch wheelbase on regular lengths and a 148-inch wheelbase across the others.
Passenger Capacity, Comfort, and Space
The Mercedes-Benz Passenger Vans offer a 12-person seating capacity with a standard roof or a 15-person capacity with a high roof. Give your passengers a luxurious ride through Birmingham with the smooth black seats made of premium materials. Relax while you drive with the Sprinter van’s standard heated driver’s seat, a feature the Ford Transit doesn’t offer.
The Sprinter’s versatile interior lets you add up to five rows of seats and features a tall, narrow style for space optimization. The first row receives 38.9 inches of legroom, but Mercedes-Benz has yet to confirm the legroom dimensions for the other rows.
The Ford Passenger Vans offer the same seating configurations as the Sprinter vans, regardless of roof height. Relish the lush comfort of the dark Palazzo Gray cloth or vinyl seats available on all five rows. The Transit vans leave plenty of legroom for passengers, with 41.3 inches in the first, 33.7 inches in the second, and 35.6 inches in the third, fourth, and fifth rows.
Cargo Volume and Payload Capacity
Which cargo van has the best available cargo hauling capacities? The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter can fit up to 488.1 cubic feet behind the first row with the high roof and 170-inch wheelbase configuration. The Ford Transit has a shorter wheelbase of 148 inches on the long-EL length and can accommodate 487.3 cubic feet behind the first row with the high roof.
Want the highest payload capacity? This spec determines how much weight your cargo van can safely carry, including a driver and front passenger. Choose the Sprinter Cargo Van 4500 with a standard roof for a 6,734-pound payload limit. The Ford Transit Cargo Van’s highest possible payload is 5,114 pounds on the T-350HD DRW model with a high roof and long-EL length.
Engine Performance, Powertrain, and Efficiency
When comparing the Sprinter vs. Transit reliability, consider the engine options, their output, and powertrain configurations for the best ride in Birmingham. Every Sprinter van comes equipped with a four-cylinder diesel standard output engine delivering 170 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This engine pairs with a Mercedes-Benz 9G-TRONIC nine-speed transmission for smooth shifting between gears and seamless acceleration.
Ford offers two engine options on its Transit vans: a 3.5-liter V-6 with a port-fuel/direct-injection system outputting 275 horsepower and a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine producing 310 horsepower. Each engine mates with Ford’s advanced 10-speed transmission and uses regular unleaded gasoline.
Mercedes-Benz provides a reasonable gas tank size that can carry up to 24.5 gallons of diesel. The Ford vans have a 25-gallon fuel tank with an available 31-gallon option.
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans come with rear-wheel drive (RWD) for dependable traction on rough terrain and in harsh weather. RWD is also standard on the Ford Transit vans. Upgrade the Sprinter to an available electronically engaged all-wheel drive (AWD) for better traction and stability in rainy or snowy weather where the roads are slick. The Transit offers an intelligent AWD.
Interior Technology and Connectivity
The front row of these cargo vans offers intuitive controls and connectivity with available USB ports, wireless charging, navigation, and smartphone compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans start with a 7-inch touch screen with the option to upgrade to the MBUX multimedia system on a vivid 10.25-inch display. The Ford Transit vans come standard with a 4-inch radio system, which you can swap with an available 12-inch touch-screen display with SiriusXM connectivity.
Driver-Assistance Features, Safety, and Convenience
Regarding safety, both Mercedes-Benz and Ford equip their cargo and passenger vans with the latest tech for added protection and peace of mind wherever you go. The Transit vans include the Ford Co-Pilot360 system for blind-spot monitoring, enhanced active park assist, and intelligent speed for optimized driving.
Standard safety features on the Sprinter vans include emergency calls, a rearview camera display on the rearview mirror, and heated sideview mirrors for enhanced visibility regardless of weather. Crosswind, hill start, and active brake assist keep you in control of the Sprinter van in unexpected situations.
Mercedes-Benz goes the extra mile for your safety and convenience with the Mercedes Me Connect app. This innovative app lets you connect your Sprinter van to your smartphone for up-to-date vehicle information, routine maintenance reminders, and vehicle location on a map. Use the Mercedes Me Connect app to lock or unlock the doors remotely and set the interior temperature for ideal comfort.
Final Verdict: Which Van Meets Your Needs?
The Ford Transit is a worthy contender in the cargo and passenger van sector with powerful engine specs and lots of legroom. But, if you want the highest payload, ample cargo volume, diverse style options, and more convenience, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van is the clear winner. Experience the Sprinter van in person at Mercedes-Benz of Birmingham. We have two convenient locations in Hoover and Irondale open Monday through Saturday. Contact our expert sales team to schedule a test-drive today and ask about our new vehicle specials for the best deal on a Sprinter.