The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van has long been recognized as a game-changer in the commercial van market, introducing European design and functionality to American roads. While the design might initially appear unconventional compared to traditional American vans, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van offers a range of advantages that continue to make it a popular choice for businesses and individuals alike. Let’s delve into what makes this van stand out, even years after its release.
The Sprinter marked a shift in van design philosophy in the US market. Unlike the more traditional, lower-roofed American vans, the Sprinter embraced a taller, boxier design, prioritizing interior space and driver ergonomics. This forward-thinking approach has since been adopted by other manufacturers, with Ford and Ram introducing similar European-style vans. This shift leaves GM and Nissan as the primary proponents of the classic American van design.
One of the most immediately noticeable benefits of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van is its superior driving position. Sitting high above the road, the driver enjoys excellent visibility through a large windshield and over a minimalist instrument panel. While the engine does intrude into the cabin area, it does so far less than in traditional GM vans, meaning legroom remains generous. Crucially, unlike some competitors, there’s no bulky engine cover or intrusive console to restrict movement from the knees down. The seats themselves are distinctly German – firm and supportive, prioritizing long-term comfort over initial plushness. While they might feel less immediately soft than those in some other vans, the Sprinter’s seats are designed to provide better back support for long hours behind the wheel. For enhanced comfort, an optional package offers manual adjustments for front and rear height, recline, and lumbar support. While power adjustments are common in some vans, the manual controls in the Sprinter offer a robust, less failure-prone alternative.
Mercedes-Benz offered the 2012 Sprinter Van in a variety of configurations to suit diverse needs. These included four main 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 (available for cargo van models only). Even the standard regular roof Sprinter provides a noticeably higher interior ceiling compared to GM vans (60.6” vs. 52.9”). The high-roof option takes this advantage even further, adding an extra foot of headroom. This allows individuals up to six feet tall to comfortably stand and move around inside the van – a significant advantage for those who use the van as a workspace. Among its competitors at the time, only Nissan offered a similar factory high-roof option. The rear cargo opening of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van is also wider than its rivals, measuring 61.6 inches versus 57.0 inches, and this generous width is maintained from floor to ceiling thanks to the van’s near-vertical side walls. This contrasts sharply with the more rounded, “jelly bean” shapes of traditional American vans, maximizing usable space. While some users have noted that the tall, flat sides can impact crosswind stability at higher speeds, the benefit in cargo space is undeniable. Depending on the body length, cargo length ranges from 128.5 inches to a substantial 185.0 inches, significantly outperforming GM vans with their 124.6 inches or 146.2 inches. In terms of total cubic feet, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van offers 318, 494, or an impressive 547 cubic feet, easily surpassing the 270 or 314 cubic feet of GM vans. Even the shortest, regular-roof Sprinter model can hold more cargo than the long wheelbase GM vans, and over twice the volume of a typical minivan.
The bottom line is that the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van delivers considerably more usable interior space. Accessing this volume is made easy through wide, floor-to-ceiling door openings. A right-side sliding door is standard, with a left-side slider available as an option. The rear doors offer a generous 270-degree opening range, further enhancing loading and unloading convenience. The Sprinter 3500 model boasts a robust payload capacity of up to 5,375 pounds (compared to 3,992 pounds in GM vans) and a towing capacity of up to 7,500 pounds (versus 10,000 pounds for GM vans). The 2500 model, as tested, still offers a respectable 2,872-pound payload capacity, slightly less than the GM 2500 van’s 3,009 pounds.
Passenger configurations for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van are also highly adaptable, ranging from two to twelve occupants. The Sprinter could be configured with one, two, three, or even four rows of seats. Even with four rows installed in the 170-inch wheelbase model, there remains over six feet of cargo space behind the last row. While theoretically, Mercedes-Benz could have added even more rows, they opted to leave the 15-passenger van market to domestic manufacturers. Passenger-focused factory options are relatively limited, primarily including roof-mounted rear HVAC vents, emphasizing the Sprinter’s focus on utility over luxury.
Despite its impressive cargo and towing capabilities, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van doesn’t rely on an oversized, fuel-guzzling engine. Instead, it features a more efficient 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6 engine. This powerplant produces 188 horsepower at 3,800 rpm and 325 pound-feet of torque at a low 1,400 rpm. This is significantly smaller and less powerful than the V8 engines offered by GM, Ford, and Nissan in their vans. The sole transmission option is Mercedes-Benz’s proven five-speed automatic. Despite the smaller engine size, performance is surprisingly adequate for its intended purpose. During test drives, the powertrain provided sufficient acceleration, even at highway speeds, without feeling strained. A zero-to-sixty mph time of around 13 seconds might seem slow compared to modern cars, but it’s more than acceptable for a vehicle of this size and purpose. It’s important to remember this is a cargo van, not a sports car. While the initial acceleration might be adequate without load, adding cargo, passengers, or towing a trailer will naturally impact performance. However, user feedback suggests that engine performance remains sufficient even with heavy loads. Braking performance, however, might be a more relevant consideration when heavily loaded. The diesel engine is most noticeable in its diesel sound profile primarily at idle and lower speeds. Engine noise is well-controlled, even under full acceleration. The five-speed automatic transmission could be more responsive in downshifting, and surprisingly, paddle shifters were not offered as an option.
Fuel efficiency is a significant selling point for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van, especially when compared to larger, gasoline-powered vans. Mercedes-Benz specialists claimed fuel economy in the low 20s mpg in city driving and mid-20s mpg on the highway. Given the van’s size and curb weight of 5,545 pounds, these figures might seem optimistic. However, real-world testing in mixed suburban and highway driving conditions yielded around 17.6 mpg, which is still commendable and better than larger SUVs in similar conditions. The Sprinter does require AdBlue, a diesel exhaust fluid, but it’s readily available and reasonably priced.
Handling, for a vehicle of this size, is surprisingly manageable. The forward visibility is excellent, particularly in comparison to some competitors. The large windshield offers a commanding view of the road, minimizing the sense of driving a large box. Rear visibility depends on the van configuration – cargo vans may have no rear windows. Large, dual-element side mirrors compensate for limited rearward vision. For maneuvering in tight spaces, optional front and rear obstacle detection systems are available. The steering is light and relatively slow, which is typical for vans, but it feels natural and easy to adapt to after a short time. Body roll is well-controlled for a van, and the ride quality, even without a load, is reasonably composed, although it can be a touch jiggly in the 2500 model. Compared to heavier-duty vans like a Nissan NV 3500, the Sprinter 2500 offers a more refined ride. Electronic Stability Control is standard, providing an added layer of safety, although the van’s handling inspires enough confidence that pushing it to its limits in testing wasn’t necessary in typical driving conditions.
Pricing for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van 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 wheelbase) added approximately $2,670 to the price, while the extended wheelbase added $2,440, and the extended rear overhang added a further $950. Basic convenience features such as seat adjustments, power mirrors, cruise control, and a trip computer added around $895. While this price point might seem high for a cargo van compared to traditional American offerings, it’s relatively competitive considering the Mercedes-Benz badge and the van’s features. A Chevrolet Express 2500 extended length van with a more powerful 4.8-liter gasoline V8 engine and similar features listed for around $31,740. However, opting for the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel in the GM van largely eliminated this price advantage. The choice then often came down to prioritizing either the cubic inches of a traditional American V8 or the superior cubic feet of cargo space offered by the Sprinter.
Until Ford and Ram introduced their European-sourced van models, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van stood in a class of its own. Its combination of a high roof, massive cargo volume, well-controlled suspension, and relatively fuel-efficient diesel engine made it a compelling choice. Beyond its practical advantages, the prestige associated with the Mercedes-Benz brand also holds appeal for businesses, particularly tradespeople who visit clients in affluent areas. Even if their client is just a furry friend requiring mobile grooming services, the professional image conveyed by the three-pointed star can be a valuable asset. The 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van remains a relevant and highly functional option in the commercial van market, offering a blend of European design, practicality, and brand reputation that continues to attract buyers.
