Used 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter commercial van looks to challenge the monopoly held by Ford and Chevy by offering more features, more options, and better fuel economy. The Sprinter brings to market a very European idea of what a commercial vehicle should be. Unlike its American counterparts, the Sprinter’s silhouette favors the vertical over the horizontal, with roof extensions that allow a 6-foot tall individual to stand upright inside the cargo bay. In passenger van form, the 2012 Sprinter provides seating options with an emphasis on safety, comfort and versatility, offering everything from a traditional passenger van to a shuttle-style MiniBus with sideways seating and dual-door passenger entry. But, the greatest differentiator between the Sprinter and its domestic rivals can be found under the hood, where a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 provides the grunt of a big V8 with the fuel economy of a miserly 6-cylinder engine.

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van is surprisingly capable considering both its size and the rather small displacement of its 3.0-liter turbo diesel V6 engine. But, what the diesel lacks in horsepower, it more than makes up for in torque, which is what you really need to pull a heavy vehicle like the Sprinter. Acceleration isn’t quick, but it is steady and predictable. We’re impressed at how quiet the Sprinter’s diesel engine is, even under full throttle. Mercedes has tuned the Sprinter’s suspension to be as smooth as possible while still delivering some stiffness in the areas of body lean and roll. The steering is a bit heavy to our senses, but it’s not so difficult as to require bulging biceps to turn the wheel. Despite its size, the 2012 MB Sprinter possesses a rather tight turning radius, an attribute most delivery drivers will hold in high regard.

From behind the steering wheel, the Sprinter’s Mercedes-Benz heritage is evident. The steering wheel, dash and instruments are clearly MBs, as are the excellent high-back seats. Safety, an attribute on which Mercedes-Benz prides itself, is evident in the Sprinter’s available front-seat-mounted thorax and side-curtain airbags. The Sprinter’s massive cargo bay can be configured to serve as a rolling workshop, a flat-floored carryall, or as an 18-passenger shuttle. There is also a MiniBus package with varying interior layouts including airport shuttle (sideways seating and interior luggage rack), hotel shuttle (center isle and paired seating with rear bench), and wheelchair accessible shuttle (open space between seats for wheelchair access and anchoring).

While its fair to say the 2012 Sprinter van isn’t going to be winning any concours d’elegance events, its beauty lies more with its functionality rather than its esthetic attributes. Owners can choose between a 144-inch and 170-inch wheelbase, as well as an extended rear and a dually rear axles. If the standard roof height that provides 65-inches of interior ceiling space won’t suffice, the high-roof option adds another 13 inches. The Cargo-version Sprinter vans feature full metal side panels and sliding side doors, while the Crew Van offers a glass window in the sliding door and solid panels from the door rearward. The Sprinter passenger and MiniBus models offer massive side windows providing excellent outward visibility all around. Mercedes-Benz also offers a ridiculously varied number of paint colors from Arctic White to the vivid Calcite Yellow.

TURBODIESEL ENGINE
The 3.0-liter V6 offers impressive pulling power and even more impressive fuel economy in a package requiring less maintenance and providing a longer life than the traditional gasoline-powered engine.

MINIBUS PACKAGES
Pre-packaged configurations for Hotel, Airport, Commuter and Paratransit make it easy to tailor Mercedes’ 2012 Sprinter to your customer’s needs.

Standard equipment for the 2012 Sprinter varies depending on the model (Cargo, Crew or Passenger), but every van includes a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine, 5-speed automatic transmission, electronic traction and stability control, front airbags, air conditioning, height-adjustable steering wheel, 270-degree opening rear doors, power windows and locks, 16-inch wheels, hill start assist, remote unlocking fob, and a tire pressure monitor. The passenger vans add tinted windows, additional rear speakers, luxury interior trim and more seats.

Optional equipment on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van includes side-curtain airbags, front-seat thorax side airbags, an electrically heated windshield, 16-inch alloy wheels, AM/FM/CD radio with Bluetooth hands free phone connectivity, cruise control, luxury driver and passenger seat (includes additional adjustments and manual lumbar support), front and rear park assist, rear backup camera, extendable and heated side mirrors, and a rear sunroof. The MiniBus packages include specially configured vans dubbed Airport, Commuter, Hotel and Paratransit, while the Cargo and Crew Vans offer a number of work-oriented options including tie-downs, rack systems, partitions, additional lighting and power outlets, side wall paneling, and floor coverings.

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 (Mercedes-Benz estimate: 24 mpg)