The Sprinter might not be the first vehicle that pops into peoples’ minds when they think Mercedes,->ke3654 but the van has certainly grown in popularity, even in the U.S. 2014 brought the versatile van a new look inside and out, along with a host of additional safety features and upgraded engine options. What’s more, 2015 brings the addition of the Sprinter 4x4 to the States. That makes Mercedes the only automaker to currently offer a 4WD van.

Astute van fans will recall General Motors’ Chevy Express and GMC Savanna vans offered AWD, but it the system was geared more towards foul weather than muddy job sites. The AWD system was limited to the 1500-series versions with the short wheelbase. That’s not the case with the Sprinter, as it boats an electronically operated transfer case with an available low range with each body configuration.

Speaking of body configurations, the Sprinter comes in nearly every shape and size, fitting the needs of small business owners to church groups needing to haul people. Mercedes offers no less than a dozen possible configurations between wheelbase lengths, roof heights, and weight classification (2500 and 3500 series).

Of course, there’s much more to the Sprinter’s new makeover, so keep reading for all the information.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2015 Mercedes Sprinter.}

Exterior

The Sprinter is one of the world’s most well-known full-size vans. It’s paraded around Europe and other parts of the world for decades, and even made the jump to the U.S. It’s overall boxy look hasn’t changed much, but the details sure have. For 2014, the Sprinter got a revised front fascia with a more modern look. Its three-bar Mercedes grille adds the corporate Benz look to its nose while projector beam headlights with LED daytime running lights add class.

Sprinters fitted with 4WD get a revised front bumper with an SUV-like radiator shield that extends to the front suspension. The slat just above the license plate holder serves both as an air intake and a foot step, aiding in cleaning the windshield and servicing the engine. 4WD vans also get a leg up – literally. Mercedes raised its suspension 4.3 inches up front and 3.1 inches in the rear, giving it increased ground clearance.

Contractors and coachbuilders will appreciate the Sprinter’s available raised roof. It offers the average person the ability to walk around standing up, along with extra storage room along the walls with aftermarket storage shelves.

Interior

Mercedes has given the Sprinter a slight update inside, with minor changes to the dashboard’s finishings, and most noticeable, its new steering wheel. More importantly, updates have been made to the safety and stability control systems. Headlining the software is Crosswind Assist. In a nutshell, it helps keep the van in line despite crosswinds buffeting at its sides. The system reduces the need to counter steer, making piloting the van at highway speeds much less harrowing. Crosswind Assist comes standard on 2500 models and becomes active at speeds above 50 mph.

The Sprinter also incorporates electronic nannies normally only found in Mercedes’ luxury vehicles. Collision Prevention Assist helps keep the driver from causing a rear-end collision. The radar-based system monitors the road ahead, keeping the driver alerted of slowing vehicles in the Sprinter’s path. If needed, the system will actively apply the brakes to slow or stop the van.

Dynamic Proximity Warning alerts the driver should the van be approaching another vehicle at a high rate of speed. Blind Spot Assist keeps an eye on blind spots and Lake Keeping Assist will actively help steer the van within its given traffic lane. The van even offers Highbeam Assist which automatically controls the highbeam headlights without driver intervention.

Of course, what makes a Sprinter special is its versatility. The rear area can be ordered as a cargo area with options for third-party shelving and drawer units, or as a passenger compartment with several rows of seating, the number of which depending upon the wheelbase. Lastly, the Sprinter can also be had as a chassis cab, giving third party upfitters the ability to install anything from RV units to flatbeds.

Drivetrain

Mercedes is offering two engine choices in the Sprinter, both featuring the automaker’s BlueTEC technology. The standard engine is a 2.1-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel that produces 161 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy is high on the four-banger’s list. It uses a two-stage turbo, along with its high-pressure, common rail fuel injection system to appropriately conserve fuel when it can. Each injector features seven tiny holes to atomize the fuel as it enters the cylinder, giving each compression a clean burn.

The optional mill is the 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel. Offering up 188 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, the V-6 provides customers the ability to haul heavier loads. The V-6 is also the standard engine on 4WD Sprinters as it delivers the best torque output of the engine offerings.

Between them, both engines have similar construction attributes. Both are undersquare in their design, meaning the bore diameter is shorter than the stroke length. This gives the engines impressive pulling power for their size. Both also feature a dual overhead cam design for added control of the valves. Keeping things clean is Mercedes’ aftertreament system. Like all modern diesels, the system uses DEF fluid to clean the exhaust of nitrogen oxides, lessening the amount of harmful tailpipe emissions.

Sprinters equipped with the four-cylinder and 2WD feature a segment-only, seven-speed automatic transmission. The unit boasts two overdrive gears for fuel conservation and low NVH at highway speed. The unit also features a upgraded lockup clutch that reduces slip for a quicker engagement of the gears. Those with the V-6 and 4WD make do with an older, five-speed automatic transmission.

The 4WD unit itself is fairly compact in terms of weight, only adding 265 pounds to the van’s curb weight. In practice, the system offers rear-wheel drive for standard driving, bypassing the front axle altogether. When the pavement ends, the driver simply selects 4WD via an electronic push-button. The system engages with a 35/65 torque split front and rear. Mercedes also offers a 4WD system with a low range, giving the transfer case the ability to multiply the torque headed to all four wheels.

Prices

The Sprinter’s price fluctuates depending on which wheelbase, roof height, engine option, and drive system you choose. Prices range from $35,995 to $43,530. Besides the initial cost of the van, Mercedes says the Sprinter offers a low overall cost of ownership thanks to its extended service intervals of 20,000 miles.

Competition

Ford Transit

The Transit is Ford’s new full-size van that replaces the well-aged E-Series van. The Transit competes more directly with the Sprinter since it’s offered in multiple wheelbases and roof heights. Also like the Sprinter, the Transit has European connections, with Ford having sold vans under than name for decades. Power comes from three engine options including the popular 3.5-liter EcoBoost and a 3.2-liter I-5 turbodiesel. The Transit also features an interior reminiscent of Ford’s car lineup rather than its trucks. This helps the van score high marks in comfort. Like the Ram ProMaster below, the Transit is not offered with 4WD.

Read our full review here

Ram ProMaster

Europe strikes again with the Ram ProMaster. Basically a rebadged Fiat Ducato, the ProMaster squarely competes with the Sprinter in its multiple size offerings. The Ram doesn’t, however, offer 4WD. It’s selling point is a FWD layout that allows for a low step-in height it its cargo hold. Under the hood lies either the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 or the new 3.0-liter I-4 EcoDiesel.

Read our full review here

Conclusion

Cargo and passenger vans might not be the sexiest vehicles on the road, but they offer unbeatable versatility. The addition of 4WD to the U.S. Sprinter lineup means contractors, postal services, and taxi companies can now operate year round and through the most unfavorable of conditions.

What’s more, the Sprinter can largely be attributed to sparking the Euro-van trend here in the States. Never before have domestic automakers like Ford and Chevrolet offered vehicles like the Transit, Transit Connect, and City Express. These unibody vans are slowly replacing the traditional body-on-frame vans like the Chevy Express and Ford E-Series.

All told, the Sprinter’s recent refresh and new addition of 4WD has the all-purpose van ready to roll for a few more model years as its competition grows stronger.