Used 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Crew

Big news: There’s an all-new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter for 2019, built at a new factory in South Carolina. This new Sprinter looks much like the previous one but is totally new, now built on a modular chassis with all-new engines. Although there’s a front-wheel-drive Sprinter available in Europe, the U.S. gets only the (rear) 2-wheel-drive (2WD) and 4-wheel-drive (4WD) versions.

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is available as a Cargo Van, a Crew Van and a Passenger Van. The Cargo Van is available in three lengths and two roof heights; the 5-seat Crew Van and Passenger Van are offered in two lengths but with only the high roof. The short-wheelbase (144 inches) Passenger Van seats 12, while the long-wheelbase (170 inches) version seats 15. Engine choices are a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline powerplant with 258 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm, or a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 with 325 lb-ft of torque at only 1,400 rpm. If you want a Sprinter Passenger Van with 4WD, it’s available only as a short-wheelbase model.

While it remains a commercial vehicle at heart, the new Sprinter is far less austere inside than it used to be, and it’s now bristling with modern electronic safety aids and telematics. Competitors include the Ford Transit, Chevrolet Express and Nissan NV.

Though large, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter drives “smaller” than it is. The ride quality, especially when the van’s loaded, is excellent, and the tall body doesn’t lean excessively in corners. Further, the view out the Sprinter’s windshield is excellent, and the large side mirrors make for a great rear view. The 6-cylinder diesel feels refined, and it produces a swell of power just above idle. Its 7-speed automatic transmission shifts with authority, but it doesn’t have the extra two ratios of the 9-speed automatic that mates to the new 4-cylinder gasoline engine.

With the high roof, people 6-foot-2 or shorter can stand inside the Sprinter without crouching. That high roof also means almost all multi-level parking structures are out of the equation. Maximum towing capacity is 5,000 pounds, an amount that increases to 7,500 pounds when you order a Sprinter with dual rear wheels. Although this slab-sided big Mercedes van occasionally catches crosswinds while cruising down the highway, standard Crosswind Assist removes the drama with automatic brake intervention that keeps the Sprinter in its lane and headed straight down the road.

The Sprinter Cargo Van has a pair of front seats and a cavernous rear box that now can be fitted with optional pallet bracing and tie-downs that help secure awkward cargo. Also available: strip LED lighting and a nifty $355 option that boxes the interior wheel wells so they can be used for additional storage. The new Sprinter Crew Van has a 3-seat bench behind the two front buckets, aft of which is a large cargo area with a sliding passenger door that has a large window

Sprinter Passenger Vans — a 12-seater with a 144-inch wheelbase or a 15-seater with a 170-inch wheelbase and a suitably larger cargo area — come only with the high roof. The rear seats have individual headrests, and they’re covered with a durable material that looks easily cleaned and wouldn’t be out of place on public transit. What’s more, the rear seats are designed to be more easily removed than before, and they’re now available with a reclining option. Roof-mounted air conditioning comes in two levels of output (regular or high performance), and several USB-C ports are present to keep you and all your passengers connected and charged.

In a significant move, MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience), the new infotainment system that responds to “Hey, Mercedes” requests or commands, is now available on the Sprinter, as are 7.0-inch or 10.3-inch touch screens. Other conveniences include a tilt steering wheel, an optional Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility and wireless smartphone charging.

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is immediately identifiable as a Sprinter, even though it has a reshaped grille, fenders and lights, along with new rear glass. The front bumper on most new Sprinters is an unpainted black plastic, the color also appearing on the big van’s prominent lower side stripes. A body-color front bumper, which adds a luxury look, is available on the Sprinter Passenger Van.

ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST
When this new standard system senses an imminent collision with the vehicle ahead, visual and audible warnings help to notify the Sprinter driver before automatic autonomous braking intervenes to save your bacon. A true boon for Sprinter safety.

ON-DEMAND 4X4
This on-demand 4×4 system, available only with the turbodiesel V6, makes for a go-anywhere Sprinter that scoffs at slick, slushy or muddy roads, aided not just by low-range gearing but also a higher wading depth.

Among the seemingly countless 2019 Sprinter models, all are equipped with keyless ignition, rear doors that open 180 degrees, a tilt steering wheel with paddle shifters, a trailer-hitch prep package, an interior with a load width of approximately 61 inches and a powertrain warranty extended to five years and/or 100,00 miles.

The Sprinter Passenger Van has a plastic floor, whereas the Cargo Van’s is steel, which allows for better securing of the racks and shelves that will be installed to meet varying commercial needs. Modern safety and assistance systems include active cruise control, lane-keep assist and blind-spot assist, plus active brake assist (with cross-traffic), Crosswind Assist and Attention Assist, the last able to detect and warn a drowsy or distracted driver.

Several packages are available for the new Sprinter Passenger Van. A $1,140 Driver Convenience Package includes cruise control, heated and electrically folding side mirrors, blind-spot assist and a 12-volt power outlet in the base of the driver’s seat. The $2,530 Premium Plus Package adds Sirius satellite radio, an acoustic package, active cruise control, wireless smartphone charging and a navigation system with Traffic Sign Assist. A $1,610 Comfort Plus Package includes heated front seats. Individual options include 4WD, a power side door, a heated windshield, an anti-theft alarm, automatic climate control and an extra battery (primarily for retrofit customers).

The base engine in the 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline inline-4, is scheduled to become available early in 2019. This powerplant makes good torque, and it’s mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. Considering the size of the Sprinter, the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6, available now, is the better choice. Its 325 lb-ft of torque arrive at a lowly 1,400 rpm, barely above an idle.

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

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