2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van is one of the most versatile vehicles in the automaker's lineup, offering a number of configurations, wheelbases, and roof heights to suit the needs of most consumer and commercial customers.

The Sprinter van is often considered by those who need more passenger or cargo capacity than what is offered by typical minivans available on the market. The Sprinter 2500 passenger van, for example, is offered with seating for up to 12 passengers. The 2500 high roof model provides enough head room for a 6'4"-tall person to stand inside comfortably. Also, an extended wheelbase option -- 170 inches vs. the standard 144-inch wheelbase -- bumps up cargo capacity, which comes in handy for long trips.

On the commercial side, a crew van model subtracts the rear seats for maximum cargo room. The Sprinter could also be purchased as a standalone chassis, allowing customers to build a custom vehicle to suit their needs. Finally, a MiniBus variant is targeted for heavy duty and frequent passenger use, such as airports, hotels, and paratransit shuttles. Powering the Sprinter is a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6 that is rated at 188 hp and provides 325 lb-ft of torque at only 1400 rpm.

Body style: Van
Engine: 3.0L turbodiesel V-6
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Models: Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van enters the 2012 model year with no changes. The 2011 Sprinter underwent a big change following the split from the Chrysler Corporation; once sold at Dodge dealerships, the Sprinter is now sold and serviced at Mercedes-Benz stores. The BlueTEC diesel -- still the lone engine choice for the Sprinter van -- is also unchanged and meets emissions requirements for all 50 states.

Aside from the three-pointed star affixed to the front grille and, in some cases, the rear doors, the Sprinter van is largely indistinguishable as a Mercedes-Benz. The boxy design gives it an industrial appearance, especially variants with the high roofline option. The Sprinter Passenger van has windows that wrap around the entire body, as well as a large sliding rear door for easy passenger access. The MiniBus is equipped with a power-operated door that opens at the front passenger side of the Sprinter. The Sprinter Crew van is a true cargo workhorse and forgoes the use of window for much of the rear area.

Depending on the variant, the Sprinter van interior will be just enough to meet expectations. The passenger van, for example, will have three-point seatbelts for all passengers and climate control. Options included auxiliary heating, added interior light, and insulation. The Crew van is pretty much a blank slate in the cargo area, though optional cargo management systems such as shelves, floor rails, and sliding door partitions are available. Up front, a bench seat for three passengers is optional.

All variants of the Sprinter van are powered by a Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC diesel engine that is emissions compliant in all 50 states. The 3.0-liter powerplant is rated at 188 hp (at 3800 rpm) and a respectable 325 lb-ft of torque (at 1400 rpm). The engine is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. The Sprinter rides on a work-grade suspension with reinforced rear leaf springs, while its rack-and-pinion steering unit gives it respectable handling dynamics for a van.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van comes standard with driver and passenger-side front airbags, regardless of the model. Optional thorax and side-curtain airbags are available. The passenger van is equipped with three-point seat belts for all rear occupants. The Sprinter also comes standard with Adaptive Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which combines the following technologies for added safety: ABS, Acceleration Skid Control, Load Adaptive Control, electronic brake force distribution, Brake Assist, and Roll Over Mitigation.

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A versatile van with three-pointed star prestige