The 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van marked a significant shift in the American cargo van market, introducing European design principles focused on efficiency and practicality. As a content creator for benzxentry.store and an auto repair expert, I’ve analyzed numerous vans, and the Sprinter stands out for its unique approach. This review delves into the specifics of the 2012 Sprinter, offering a comprehensive look for potential buyers and enthusiasts.
The Sprinter, initially offered as a Dodge in previous years, presented Americans with a distinct European van concept, differing significantly from traditional American vans. This shift was noticeable, and soon after, competitors like Ford and Ram followed suit with similar European-style vans. In 2012, GM and Nissan remained the primary manufacturers still offering traditional American van designs.
One of the most notable advantages of the European van design, exemplified by the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, is the driving position. The driver benefits from a high seating position providing excellent visibility through a large windshield and over a minimal instrument panel. While the engine does intrude into the cabin, it’s less intrusive compared to GM vans, resulting in only slightly restricted foot room. Crucially, unlike GM and Nissan vans, the Sprinter eliminates the bulky engine cover or massive console, freeing up considerable space from the knees back.
The seats in the 2012 Sprinter are distinctly firmer than those found in many other vans, reflecting a German design ethos, leaning more towards Volkswagen than the typical plush Mercedes-Benz car seat – a sensible choice for a commercial vehicle. These seats are designed for support, suggesting they would be more comfortable and back-friendly over long working hours compared to the softer seats in some competitors. An optional package offered enhanced adjustability, including front and rear height adjustments, recline, and lumbar support. These manual adjustments, while perhaps less convenient than power controls, offer the benefit of simplicity and reduced potential for mechanical failures.
Mercedes-Benz offered the 2012 Sprinter van in a variety of configurations to meet diverse needs. Body styles included:
- 144-inch wheelbase regular roof
- 144-inch wheelbase high roof
- 170-inch wheelbase high roof
- 170-inch wheelbase extended length high roof (cargo van only)
Even the standard regular roof Sprinter offered a significant headroom advantage over traditional GM vans, boasting 60.6 inches versus 52.9 inches. The high roof option added an additional foot of vertical space, allowing individuals up to six feet tall to comfortably stand and move inside – a crucial feature for professionals working within the van. Among its competitors at the time, only Nissan also provided this high-roof factory option. Furthermore, the rear cargo opening of the 2012 Sprinter was wider, measuring 61.6 inches compared to 57.0 inches, and this width was consistently maintained from floor to ceiling thanks to the van’s nearly vertical side walls – a stark contrast to the more rounded, “jelly bean” shapes of American vans. While some user comments noted that these tall, flat sides could affect crosswind stability at higher speeds, the gain in interior volume was undeniable.
Cargo length in the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van varied depending on the body length: 128.5 inches, 169.3 inches, or a substantial 185.0 inches. This dwarfed the cargo lengths of GM vans, which offered 124.6 inches or 146.2 inches. In terms of cubic cargo space, the Sprinter’s offered 318, 494, or an impressive 547 cubic feet, significantly outperforming GM vans with 270 or 314 cubic feet. Even the shortest, regular roof 2012 Sprinter could hold more cargo than the long-wheelbase GM vans, and over twice the capacity of a typical minivan.
The bottom line is that the 2012 Sprinter provided significantly more usable interior space. Accessing this volume was made easy with wide, floor-to-ceiling door openings. A right-side sliding door was standard, with a left slider available as an option. The rear doors offered a wide 270-degree opening, further enhancing loading and unloading convenience. The Sprinter 3500 model boasted a payload capacity of up to 5,375 pounds, surpassing the 3,992 pounds of GM vans, and a towing capacity of up to 7,500 pounds, compared to 10,000 pounds for GM vans. The tested 2012 Sprinter 2500 model had a payload of 2,872 pounds, slightly less than the GM 2500 van’s 3,009 pounds.
Passenger configurations for the 2012 Sprinter ranged from two to twelve occupants. The van could be equipped with one, two, three, or four rows of seats. Even with four rows installed in the 170-inch wheelbase model, there remained over six feet of cargo space. While theoretically, Mercedes-Benz could have added more rows, they opted to leave the 15-passenger van market to domestic manufacturers. Factory options focused on functionality rather than luxury, with passenger-focused options limited primarily to roof-mounted rear HVAC vents. The 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van was clearly designed for work, not opulent comfort.
Despite its impressive cargo and towing capabilities, the 2012 Sprinter van was equipped with a relatively modest engine. The sole engine option was a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6, producing 188 horsepower at 3,800 rpm and 325 pound-feet of torque at a low 1,400 rpm. This engine was considerably smaller and less powerful than the V8 engines offered by GM, Ford, and Nissan in their vans. The only transmission available was Mercedes-Benz’s reliable five-speed automatic. While powertrain performance testing was limited in the original review, initial impressions suggested the engine provided adequate acceleration for this type of vehicle, even at highway speeds. An estimated zero-to-sixty mph time of around 13 seconds might seem slow for a car, but for a van of this size, it was deemed acceptable for most commercial applications. However, it was noted that adding significant cargo, passengers, or towing a trailer might potentially strain the relatively small diesel engine, although subsequent user feedback suggested engine performance remained adequate even under heavy loads. Braking performance, however, was raised as a potential concern under heavier loads. Engine noise was minimal, especially at higher speeds, and the transmission, while generally smooth, could have been more responsive in certain situations. Notably, shift paddles were not offered as an option.
Fuel economy was a major selling point for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, particularly with its diesel engine. Mercedes-Benz claimed fuel economy in the low 20s mpg in city driving and mid-20s mpg on the highway. While these figures might seem optimistic for such a large and heavy vehicle (5,545-pound curb weight), initial tests indicated surprisingly good fuel efficiency. A mixed suburban and highway driving loop yielded a reported 17.6 mpg, which was actually better than some smaller, less efficient vehicles in similar conditions. The 2012 Sprinter did require AdBlue, a diesel exhaust fluid, but by 2012, AdBlue was more readily available and less expensive than in previous years.
Handling was a key concern for anyone new to driving a large van. The 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van addressed this with an exceptionally open forward view, especially compared to the Nissan NV. The large windshield minimized the sensation of driving a large vehicle. Rear visibility depended on the van configuration (cargo, passenger, or crew), as cargo vans could be specified without rear windows. Large, dual-element side mirrors helped compensate for limited rear window visibility. For maneuvering in tight spaces, front and rear obstacle detection was available as an option. The steering was light and slow, typical for a van, but felt surprisingly natural after a short adjustment period. Body control was better than in typical American vans, although the ride was slightly jiggly, even unladen, particularly in the 2500 model. (The comparison to a Nissan NV 3500, which rode more like a truck, highlighted the Sprinter’s relatively refined ride, although comparing a 2500 to a 3500 model might not be entirely fair.) Stability control was standard, adding a layer of safety, although the van was not pushed to its handling limits during the initial review.
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) added $2,670 to the price, while the extended wheelbase added $2,440, and the extended rear overhang added $950. Basic amenities such as seat adjustments, power mirrors, cruise control, and a trip computer added approximately $895. While considered relatively affordable for a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, the 2012 Sprinter was pricier than some domestic cargo vans. For instance, a Chevrolet Express 2500 extended length van with a 280-horsepower 4.8-liter gas V8 and similar features listed for $31,740. However, opting for the 260-horsepower 6.6-liter Duramax diesel in the GM van largely negated this price advantage. The choice then often came down to prioritizing cubic inches (engine displacement) versus cubic feet (cargo volume and overall practicality).
Until Ford and Ram introduced their European-sourced van models, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van stood alone in its class. It offered a unique combination of a high roof, substantial cargo volume, well-controlled suspension, and a fuel-efficient diesel engine (albeit potentially underpowered for heavy loads). Beyond its practical advantages, the Sprinter also offered a degree of prestige associated with the Mercedes-Benz brand. As noted by a Mercedes-Benz specialist, tradespeople visiting affluent clients sometimes valued the professional image conveyed by the three-pointed star on their van, even if their primary “client” was a dog in a mobile grooming service.
Conclusion
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van was a game-changer in the cargo van market. It brought a European approach to van design to the US, prioritizing space, efficiency, and a comfortable driving experience. While it might not have offered the raw power of traditional American vans, its superior cargo capacity, fuel economy, and refined driving dynamics made it a compelling option for businesses and individuals needing a versatile and practical van. For those considering a used van, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van remains a strong contender, especially if cargo space and fuel efficiency are top priorities. Its enduring design and reputation for reliability make it a worthwhile consideration in the pre-owned market.
