Used 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter WORKER Passenger

In the U.S., Mercedes-Benz is best known for it luxury sedans, but worldwide the company’s work trucks and vans earn equal praise. The 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans are a complete line of work trucks and passenger vans that have the capacity and muscles to handle just about any big job. So versatile is the Sprinter that it is now being used for RV conversions, emergency medical vehicles and even utility trucks. With a choice of two diesel engines, two wheelbases, three roof heights and available 4-wheel drive (4WD), Mercedes-Benz’s 2017 Sprinter van has a leg up on competitors like the Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster and Nissan NV. A new Sprinter Worker van provides an even lower entry price without sacrificing the Sprinter’s most important attributes.

Despite their massive size, from behind the wheel the Mercedes Sprinter vans for 2017 feel surprisingly agile and easy to maneuver. Credit the capable chassis and suspension, large windows and narrow beam. On the highway, the Sprinter can feel a bit out of sorts, however, with the rear suspension delivering a rather rough ride. The tall roof allows for a high driver’s perch, with a massive windshield and side glass permitting excellent visibility. However, the Sprinter’s tall roof will have you constantly assessing low overpasses and parking garage entrances. While the standard 2.1-liter 4-cylinder diesel can get the job done, it takes some time to get up to speed. Those requiring a bit more urgency would be better served by the optional 3.0-liter diesel V6, which is tow-rated up to 7,500 pounds. This engine also opens the door to the optional 4WD, transforming the Sprinter into a capable light off-road vehicle.

Professional drivers and private owners will both appreciate the 2017 MB Sprinter van’s driver’s seat, seating position and view of the instrument panel. The seat is firmer and offers far more support than those found on most commercial vehicles. Cargo models have seating for two or three up front and a blank hull in back for hauling or upfitting, while Sprinter crew vans have seating for five and still at least 220.1 cubic feet of cargo volume. Passenger models can accommodate up to 12 people. At its most spacious, an extended-length, super-high-roof Sprinter van boasts over 586 cubic feet of cargo capacity.

Mercedes boasts that the 2017 Sprinter van was ahead of its time when it brought its pragmatic, high-roof, European style to the U.S. years ago. Now, rivals like the Ford Transit and Ram ProMaster have followed suit. It should be no surprise that form follows function for the Sprinter, as it’s a rolling rectangle on wheels with a short hood. Three roof heights, two wheelbases and three lengths are available, expanding the size of that rectangle — and more important, the size inside — considerably. At its largest, the Sprinter is over 24 feet long and 10 feet high.

4-WHEEL DRIVE
Although its competitors seem to think 2-wheel drive is good enough, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter knows better. Everything from winter deliveries to off-road RV camping is better served when all four wheels have a stake in the game. There’s even a low-cost, low-range gearing option.

CROSSWIND ASSIST
Because Mercedes-Benz understands its 10-foot-tall Sprinter van can resemble a giant sail in the wind, it has added the Crosswind Assist feature as standard equipment. The system employs the electronic stability control to help counteract strong wind gusts that might otherwise push the Sprinter off the road.

The base Sprinter Worker is the simplest model in the lineup, a cargo van available only in white. Along with a diesel engine, its major standard features include power windows, air conditioning, tilt/telescoping steering wheel and 4-speaker audio system with Bluetooth wireless connectivity. The van also features the Load-Adaptive Electronic Stability Program that takes into account load and center of gravity to optimize control when traction is compromised.

Like Mercedes’ luxury vehicles, many options are available for the Sprinter cargo van. Unlike Mercedes’ cars, however, outside of the heated faux leather seats, most options are aimed at pragmatics and safety. Among the options we most recommend are a rearview camera and parking-aid system. Other recommendable extras are blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist and collision-prevention assist. Navigation is also available. Four-wheel drive is available, as is a more powerful diesel V6 engine.

The 2017 Sprinter van is available with a choice of turbocharged diesel engines. Standard is a 2.1-liter 4-cylinder that makes 161 horsepower and an impressive 265 lb-ft of torque. It is coupled to a 7-speed automatic transmission. Optional is a 188-horsepower 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6 that boasts peak torque of 325 lb-ft and is coupled to a 5-speed automatic transmission. The Sprinter is rear-wheel drive (2WD) by nature, with 4WD optional. The 4-cylinder diesel is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds, while the V6 is rated to pull up to 7,500 pounds in the Sprinter 3500 Heavy Duty. Mercedes’ BlueTEC diesel engines require injections of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) at service intervals to help curb emissions.

2.1-liter turbocharged diesel inline-4
161 horsepower @ 3,800 rpm
265 lb-ft of torque @ 1,400-2,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

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

Note: Due to changes in EPA testing to more effectively reflect real-world conditions, some 2017 models show slightly lower fuel-economy scores than their 2016 versions.