Having chosen the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter for my vanlife journey, I’ve generally been satisfied with my decision. However, after nearly two years of driving and living in this van, certain aspects have proven to be quite irritating, inconvenient, or simply below expectations. While purchasing a pre-owned van with some wear and tear might warrant overlooking certain shortcomings, acquiring a brand-new, top-of-the-line 2023 model from the dealership justifies a closer examination of these less desirable features. Especially considering the premium price associated with a fully-optioned vehicle like mine.
It’s important to emphasize that none of these points are absolute deal-breakers, except perhaps the complexities surrounding diesel compatibility. Furthermore, some of these issues can be addressed or improved with aftermarket modifications, albeit often at a considerable expense. Nevertheless, it’s crucial for prospective buyers to be aware of these drawbacks in the 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (and likely similar models from recent years). Here’s a breakdown of the issues I’ve encountered.
Inconveniently Placed USB-C Ports
Yes, the 2023 Mercedes Sprinter boasts multiple USB-C ports, which sounds modern and convenient at first. However, the reality is that these ports are located in a cubby at the top of the dashboard, making them virtually inaccessible while driving or even when seated in the front.
These USB-C ports are nestled inside a compartment with a vertically lifting lid, operated by a button on the front. Reaching inside this cubby, let alone accessing the ports themselves, is a significant stretch from the driver’s seat and undeniably unsafe to attempt while the vehicle is in motion.
While you could use longer USB-C cables to extend from the ports, running them out of the cubby, the design presents another problem. There are no designated openings or slots for cable management. This necessitates forcing the cubby door closed with the cable awkwardly protruding from a corner or edge, which is hardly an elegant or practical solution for a vehicle in this price range.
Overly Sensitive Steering Wheel Touch Controls
Another feature that initially seems sophisticated – the steering wheel controls – quickly reveals itself to be more of a hindrance than a help.
Each side of the steering wheel is equipped with touch-sensitive controls: the left side manages the instrument cluster display, and the right side controls the central infotainment system. While touch controls might appear modern, their implementation in the Sprinter is flawed. These controls are remarkably easy to accidentally activate when maneuvering the steering wheel, especially during turns. This can lead to unintended changes to your settings or display while driving, which is distracting and potentially unsafe.
Adding to the frustration, their responsiveness is inconsistent and highly dependent on temperature and humidity. Cold or slightly damp fingers often struggle to register inputs accurately, making operation cumbersome. Forget about using them with driving gloves – they become completely unusable. Simple, tactile buttons or small joysticks would have been a far more user-friendly and reliable choice than these temperamental touch controls in the 2023 Mercedes Sprinter.
Awkwardly Placed Climate Controls
The Sprinter’s climate control system utilizes two levers positioned centrally beneath the infotainment screen.
The temperature adjustment lever is on the left, closer to the driver, while the fan speed and system on/off control is located to the passenger’s side. In practice, fan speed adjustment is a more frequently used function than temperature, especially for quick adjustments to airflow. Therefore, placing the fan control further from the driver is a questionable ergonomic decision.
The current layout forces the driver to lean forward and sideways to reach the fan speed/power control. This awkward and distracting movement is far from ideal, particularly while driving. Regrettably, these physical levers are the sole means of controlling the climate system; there are no redundant controls on the steering wheel or within the infotainment system.
Furthermore, the mode selection and defrost controls lack any tactile markings. This necessitates visually identifying them each time, requiring the driver to lean forward and look down, further diverting attention from the road and contributing to unsafe driving conditions in the 2023 Mercedes Sprinter.
Lack of Hydraulic Hood Struts
Opening the hood of a modern vehicle, especially a premium one like the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, one might expect the convenience of hydraulic hood struts. However, the 2023 Sprinter comes standard with a decidedly more basic solution: a manually deployed hood prop rod. This cost-cutting measure is surprising given the vehicle’s price point.
While not overly cumbersome, manually propping the hood feels somewhat archaic, especially when many less expensive vehicles include hydraulic struts as standard equipment. It’s a clear indication of where Mercedes-Benz has opted to economize, hoping buyers might not notice this seemingly minor detail.
For those seeking an upgrade, aftermarket hydraulic hood strut kits are available. Moonraker Design offers a DIY kit, while companies like Owl Vans provide professional installation services for those less inclined to tackle the installation themselves. Upgrading to hood struts is a popular modification for Sprinter owners seeking to enhance convenience and perceived quality.
Sun Visors with No Lateral Adjustment
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is equipped with standard driver and passenger sun visors. These can be folded down and detached to block sunlight from the front and side windows, a basic but essential function.
However, unlike many vehicles, the Sprinter’s sun visors lack any lateral (sideways) adjustability. This significant limitation means that when the sun is positioned at an angle – for example, coming from the central windshield area or the rear portion of the side windows – the visors are ineffective at blocking the glare. This design choice seems purely cost-driven, as there’s no apparent functional reason to omit lateral movement.
The lack of effective sun shading from the visors underscores the need for aftermarket window tinting, particularly for the front windows, which have no factory tint. Tinting becomes almost a necessity for comfortable driving in sunny conditions in a 2023 Mercedes Sprinter.
Overheating Wireless Charging Pad
Wireless charging is a desirable feature in modern vehicles, and the 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter includes it. However, its practical usability is severely compromised by its location.
The wireless charging pad is positioned centrally on the dashboard, directly exposed to sunlight through the windshield. This placement causes the charging area to heat up rapidly, especially on sunny days. Excessive heat is detrimental to electronic devices, and many smartphones, including mine, have built-in thermal protection that automatically stops charging when the battery temperature gets too high. This effectively renders the wireless charging pad useless during daylight hours or in warm climates.
Furthermore, like the USB-C ports, the charging pad is difficult to access while driving. Reaching for your phone in this dashboard location while driving is unsafe. Even when parked, the location is less convenient than it could be. Positioning the wireless charger inside one of the dashboard cubbies would have been a far more practical and user-friendly design choice for the Mercedes Sprinter 2023.
Pathetic Horn
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a substantial vehicle. Its height and width are imposing, and it commands presence on the road. One would reasonably expect a horn to match this vehicle’s size and stature. Unfortunately, the factory horn on the Sprinter is woefully inadequate and frankly, embarrassing.
The sound produced is weak, meek, and completely out of proportion to the vehicle’s dimensions. It’s akin to a large dog barking like a chihuahua – more likely to elicit amusement than attention or respect. It sounds more like a novelty clown car horn than a serious warning device.
Recognizing this deficiency, I upgraded the horn in my Sprinter to an aftermarket unit from Owl Vans. The improvement is significant. The new horn is loud, authoritative, and effective, resolving the embarrassment and, more importantly, ensuring that the vehicle is heard when necessary for safety. A horn upgrade is a highly recommended modification for any 2023 Mercedes Sprinter owner concerned with road presence and safety.
Limited Fuel Tank Capacity
The standard fuel tank in the 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter holds 22 gallons (83 liters). For everyday commuting, this might suffice. However, for long-distance travel, boondocking, or exploring remote areas – common scenarios for Sprinter van owners – this tank capacity quickly becomes a limiting factor. Compounding the issue, many diesel-powered heaters used in van conversions require the fuel tank to be above a quarter full to function reliably. This seemingly modest tank size can become a frequent point of consideration and constraint.
Fortunately, an extended-capacity fuel tank is available, increasing the volume to 45 gallons (170 liters). This upgrade effectively doubles the range and alleviates fuel capacity concerns. However, this larger tank comes at a significant cost, exceeding $1,500 for the part alone, not including professional installation. DIY installation is possible but involves potentially complex modifications to the vehicle’s fuel system and chassis, which may be beyond the comfort level of many owners.
Adding to the fuel tank frustrations, there seem to be at least two different software configurations for the fuel gauge and range estimator in the 2023 Sprinter, leading to potential inconsistencies in fuel level readings and range predictions.
Confusing Diesel Fuel Compatibility
Upon purchasing my 2023 Sprinter diesel, I discovered the confusing world of diesel fuel types. Diesel #1, Diesel #2, off-road diesel, biodiesel (B5, B20, >B20), renewable diesel, and other variations exist, creating uncertainty about fuel compatibility.
The primary issue is Mercedes-Benz’s lack of clear guidelines on which diesel types are suitable for the Sprinter. According to multiple dealerships, the 2023 AWD Diesel Sprinter can come with two different engine configurations. One configuration, which I happen to have, is reportedly compatible with biodiesel blends up to B20.
This is beneficial, especially in regions like California, where finding standard Diesel #2 or low-blend biodiesel (B5) can be challenging along major routes. However, ambiguity remains regarding renewable diesel (sometimes labeled as Renewable #2 or R99). Mercedes-Benz provides no official guidance on its compatibility, leaving owners unsure. This uncertainty means avoiding fuel stations like Costco in California, as their diesel contains biomass exceeding 20%.
Clearer information from Mercedes-Benz regarding renewable diesel and higher biodiesel blends (>B20) is urgently needed to alleviate owner confusion and ensure proper fuel selection for the 2023 Mercedes Sprinter diesel models.
Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Finally, linking back to the initial point about inaccessible USB-C ports, the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration in the 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has its own set of drawbacks. While the system supports both platforms, wireless connectivity is absent. Your smartphone must be physically connected to a specific USB-C port located in the inconvenient dashboard cubby to utilize these features.
The absence of wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in a 2023 vehicle, particularly a premium model, is a significant oversight. Wireless connectivity has been available in cars predating 2023, making its omission in the Sprinter feel outdated. It highlights a lag in technology adoption by some automotive manufacturers.
The second issue, again, is the poor placement of the required USB-C port. While a centralized location for phone connectivity might seem neat in theory, the execution in the Sprinter is impractical and user-unfriendly. Aftermarket wireless adapters are available to circumvent this wired requirement, but they introduce additional cost and potential reliability concerns.
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