The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, even in its 2012 iteration, represents a significant shift in the cargo van landscape, particularly for the American market accustomed to more traditional, domestic designs. Originally introduced as a Dodge, the Sprinter brought a distinctly European approach to van design, prioritizing functionality, space, and driver ergonomics. As competitors like Ford and Ram followed suit with their own European-inspired vans, the 2012 Mercedes Van Sprinter stood out as a benchmark, offering features and benefits that traditional American vans from GM and Nissan couldn’t match. This review delves into the specifics of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, exploring its design, performance, practicality, and overall value proposition for those in the market for a versatile and capable cargo van.
One of the immediate distinctions of the 2012 Mercedes van Sprinter is its driver-centric design. Stepping inside, you’re greeted by a high driving position that commands a panoramic view through a generously sized windshield. The instrument panel is purposefully minimal, contributing to an airy and spacious feel in the cabin. While the engine does intrude into the passenger area, its encroachment is less significant than in comparable GM vans, ensuring ample foot room. Notably, unlike some competitors like Nissan with their bulky consoles, the Sprinter keeps the area from the knees back clear and unobstructed.
The seating in the 2012 Mercedes van Sprinter is designed with a focus on support and long-term comfort, reflecting a more German approach. Firmer than the often plush seats found in American vans, they offer a level of support that becomes increasingly appreciated during extended periods behind the wheel. While described as more akin to Volkswagen than the typical luxurious Mercedes car seat – acknowledging its commercial vehicle nature – the seats are clearly engineered for work. For enhanced adjustability, an optional package provides manual adjustments for front and rear height, recline, and lumbar support. While power adjustments might be perceived as more convenient in some rival vans, the manual system in the Sprinter offers a robust and potentially more reliable solution, eliminating concerns about motor failures.
{width=280 height=250}Mercedes-Benz offered the 2012 Sprinter van in a variety of configurations to meet diverse needs. Buyers could choose from four distinct body styles: a 144-inch wheelbase with a regular roof, a 144-inch wheelbase with a high roof, a 170-inch wheelbase with a high roof, and a 170-inch wheelbase extended length with a high roof, specifically for cargo van models. Even the standard regular roof on the 2012 Mercedes van Sprinter provided a headroom advantage over traditional GM vans, offering 60.6 inches compared to 52.9 inches. The high roof option significantly expands interior space, adding an extra foot of vertical clearance. This crucial feature allows individuals up to six feet tall to comfortably stand and move within the van – a major selling point for professionals who use their vans as mobile workspaces. Among its competitors at the time, only Nissan also offered a factory high-roof option.
Beyond height, the 2012 Mercedes van Sprinter also excelled in cargo area width. The rear cargo opening measured 61.6 inches, surpassing the 57.0 inches of GM vans. This width advantage was consistent from floor to ceiling due to the Sprinter’s nearly vertical side walls, a departure from the more rounded, “jelly bean” shapes of American vans. This boxy design maximized usable interior space. Cargo length varied depending on the chosen body length, offering 128.5 inches, 169.3 inches, or a substantial 185.0 inches. In contrast, GM vans offered 124.6 inches or 146.2 inches. In terms of total cargo volume, the 2012 Mercedes van Sprinter easily outpaced its GM counterparts, boasting 318, 494, or 547 cubic feet depending on configuration, compared to the GM van’s 270 or 314 cubic feet. Remarkably, even the shortest, regular roof Sprinter offered more cargo capacity than the longest GM van and more than double the space of a typical minivan, highlighting its superior space efficiency.
The practical advantages of the 2012 Mercedes van Sprinter extend to accessibility. Wide, floor-to-ceiling door openings, with a standard right-side sliding door and an optional left-side slider, facilitate easy loading and unloading. The rear doors further enhance practicality by opening a full 270 degrees, maximizing access to the cargo area. In terms of payload and towing, the Sprinter 3500 model could handle up to 5,375 pounds of cargo and tow up to 7,500 pounds. While the tested 2500 model had a payload of 2,872 pounds, slightly less than the GM 2500 van’s 3,009 pounds, the overall cargo capacity advantage of the Sprinter remained significant.
Passenger configurations for the 2012 Mercedes van Sprinter ranged from two to twelve occupants. The van could be configured with one, two, three, or four rows of seats, catering to both cargo and passenger transport needs. Even with four rows of seats installed in the extended 170-inch wheelbase model, there remained over six feet of cargo space. While Mercedes-Benz opted not to compete directly in the 15-passenger van market dominated by domestic manufacturers, the Sprinter offered substantial passenger capacity alongside its cargo capabilities. Factory options for passenger comfort were somewhat limited, primarily focusing on functional aspects such as roof-mounted rear HVAC vents, underscoring its primary role as a work-oriented vehicle rather than a luxury people-mover.
{width=280 height=250}Despite its impressive cargo and towing capacities, the 2012 Mercedes van Sprinter was equipped with a surprisingly modest engine: a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6. This engine produced 188 horsepower at 3,800 rpm and 325 pound-feet of torque at a low 1,400 rpm. This was considerably smaller and less powerful than the V8 engines offered in competing vans from GM, Ford, and Nissan. The sole transmission option was a five-speed automatic from Mercedes-Benz. The question naturally arises: was this powertrain sufficient? While a comprehensive performance test wasn’t conducted in the original review, initial impressions suggested adequate acceleration for a vehicle of this type. Even at highway speeds of 80 mph, the powertrain felt unstrained. An estimated 0-60 mph time of around 13 seconds might seem slow compared to modern cars, but it’s important to remember the Sprinter’s size and intended purpose. This wasn’t designed to be a performance vehicle, but a practical and efficient workhorse. Anecdotal evidence from users suggests that engine performance remains adequate even with heavy loads, although braking performance might be a more relevant consideration under such conditions. The diesel engine’s noise levels were noted to be surprisingly low, especially at higher speeds, with engine noise only becoming prominent at idle and low speeds. The transmission’s responsiveness was described as adequate, though shift paddles were not offered as an option.
A significant advantage of the 2012 Mercedes van Sprinter, particularly with its diesel engine, was fuel economy. Mercedes-Benz representatives claimed fuel economy in the low 20s mpg in city driving and mid-20s mpg on the highway. While these figures might seem optimistic for such a large and heavy vehicle (5,545-pound curb weight), a test loop consisting of suburban and highway driving yielded a respectable 17.6 mpg. This figure was even better than a family-sized Ford Taurus X SUV under similar driving conditions, highlighting the Sprinter’s relative fuel efficiency for its class. The 2012 Mercedes van Sprinter did require AdBlue, a diesel exhaust fluid, but its availability and cost were less of a concern compared to earlier diesel vehicles.
Handling was another key area of consideration, especially for drivers unaccustomed to large vehicles. The 2012 Mercedes van Sprinter offered an exceptionally open forward view, particularly when compared to the Nissan NV. The large windshield minimized the sensation of driving a large van. Rear visibility depended on the specific Sprinter configuration (cargo, passenger, or crew van), with cargo vans potentially lacking rear windows. However, large, dual-element side mirrors effectively compensated. For maneuvering in tight spaces, front and rear obstacle detection was available as an option. The steering, while light and slow as expected in a vehicle of this size, felt surprisingly natural and easy to adapt to. Body control was tighter than in typical American vans, although the ride was described as slightly jiggly even when unloaded, at least in the 2500 model. (It was noted that comparing the 2500 Sprinter to a 3500 Nissan NV might not be entirely fair). Stability control was a standard safety feature, although its limits were not tested during the initial review.
Pricing for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter started at $37,285 for the 144-inch wheelbase model and $42,395 for the 170-inch wheelbase version. The high roof option (standard on the 170-inch model) added $2,670, while the extended wheelbase added $2,440, and the extended rear overhang incurred an additional $950 charge. Basic amenities, including seat adjustments, power mirrors, cruise control, and a trip computer, added approximately $895 to the price. While these prices might seem high for a cargo van compared to domestic options, they were considered relatively affordable for a vehicle bearing the Mercedes-Benz star. A Chevrolet Express 2500 extended length van with a gasoline V8 engine and similar features listed for around $31,740. However, opting for the diesel engine in the GM van significantly narrowed the price gap, making the choice between the Sprinter and its domestic competitors less about price and more about the specific features and capabilities each offered.
{width=280 height=250}In conclusion, the 2012 Mercedes van Sprinter stood apart from the traditional American cargo van offerings. Its European-inspired design prioritized interior space, driver ergonomics, and fuel efficiency. With its high roof option, substantial cargo volume, well-controlled suspension, and relatively fuel-efficient diesel engine, the Sprinter offered a compelling package for businesses and individuals needing a versatile and capable van. Beyond its practical attributes, the Mercedes-Benz brand also conveyed a certain prestige, which, as noted by a Mercedes-Benz specialist, could be a valuable asset for tradespeople working in affluent areas. While potentially more expensive than basic domestic vans, the 2012 Mercedes van Sprinter offered a unique combination of features and benefits that justified its position as a leader in the cargo van market, particularly until competitors fully embraced the European van concept.
{width=280 height=250}
{width=280 height=250}
{width=280 height=250}
{width=280 height=250}
{width=280 height=250}