Compare the2022 Mercedes Sprinter Cargo VanVS 2021 Nissan NV

Safety
Reliability
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Sprinter Cargo Van has standard Active Brake Assist, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The NV doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The Sprinter Cargo Van has standard Post-Collision Brake, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The NV doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Sprinter Cargo Van offers optional Rear Cross Traffic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The NV doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Sprinter Cargo Van offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The NV doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Sprinter Cargo Van’s optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The NV doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Sprinter Cargo Van (except 3500XD/4500) offers an optional Surround View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The NV only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Sprinter Cargo Van’s optional rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The NV doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Sprinter Cargo Van’s optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The NV doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Sprinter Cargo Van uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The NV uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

The Sprinter Cargo Van has standard Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The NV doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Sprinter Cargo Van and the NV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available blind spot warning systems.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Sprinter Cargo Van has a standard 250-amp alternator (220-amp - Sprinter Cargo Van Diesel). The NV’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Sprinter Cargo Van has a standard 850-amp battery. The NV’s 650-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The battery on the Sprinter Cargo Van is under the floor, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Sprinter Cargo Van’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The NV’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Nissan With 10 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Nissan.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes Sprinter Cargo Van, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the NV.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Sprinter Cargo Van 3500/4500’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the NV (285/65R16 vs. 245/70R17).

The Sprinter Cargo Van 3500/4500’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the NV 1500/2500’s 70 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

For much better steering response and tighter handling the Sprinter Cargo Van has rack and pinion steering, like Formula racecars, instead of the recirculating-ball type steering of the NV.

The Sprinter Cargo Van’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The NV doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sprinter Cargo Van 2500 170” WB’s wheelbase is 23.9 inches longer than on the NV (170 inches vs. 146.1 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Sprinter Cargo Van 1500 144” WB’s turning circle is 4.5 feet tighter than the NV’s (40.7 feet vs. 45.2 feet).

Chassis

The Mercedes Sprinter Cargo Van may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 1200 pounds less than the Nissan NV.

Unibody construction makes the Sprinter Cargo Van’s chassis much stiffer, which contributes to better handling, and enables softer springs to be used for a better ride. Unibody construction’s stiffness also contributes to better durability and less body squeaks and rattles. The NV doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

Passenger Space

The Sprinter Cargo Van offers optional seating for 6 passengers; the NV can only carry 2.

Cargo Capacity

The Sprinter Cargo Van’s cargo area is larger than the NV’s in almost every dimension:

Sprinter Cargo Van 2500

170” EXT WB High Roof

Sprinter Cargo Van 2500

170” WB High Roof

Max Width

70.4”

70.2”

Height

79.1”

55.8”

Payload and Towing

Standard ESP Trailer Stabilization on the Sprinter Cargo Van uses the Electronic Stability Program sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The NV doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Sprinter Cargo Van has a much higher standard payload capacity than the NV:

	Sprinter Cargo Van	NV
1500 Van	3953 lbs.	2730 lbs.
2500 Van	3781 lbs.	3280 lbs.
3500 Van	4126 lbs.	3720 lbs.

The Sprinter Cargo Van has much higher optional payload capacities than the NV:

	Sprinter Cargo Van	NV
1500 Van	3953 lbs.	2730 lbs.
2500 Van	4453 lbs.	3280 lbs.
3500 Van	5717 lbs.	3720 lbs.

Ergonomics

The engine computer on the Sprinter Cargo Van automatically engages the starter until the car starts with one twist of the key and disables the starter while the engine is running. The NV’s starter can be accidentally engaged while the engine is running, making a grinding noise and possibly damaging the starter and ring gear.

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the Sprinter Cargo Van has a telescoping steering wheel. Much better than just a tilt steering wheel or adjustable seat, this allows a short driver to sit further from the steering wheel while maintaining contact with the pedals. The NV doesn’t offer a telescoping steering wheel.

When three different drivers share the Sprinter Cargo Van, the optional memory seats make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver and front passenger’s seat positions. The NV doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Sprinter Cargo Van’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The NV’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Sprinter Cargo Van the driver can close them all from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the NV can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Keyless-Start standard on the Sprinter Cargo Van allows you to start the engine without removing a key from pocket or purse. The Nissan NV doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

The Sprinter Cargo Van has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The NV doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Sprinter Cargo Van’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The NV’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Sprinter Cargo Van offers an optional rear wiper. The NV doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Sprinter Cargo Van has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The NV doesn’t offer automatic headlights.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the Sprinter Cargo Van detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The NV doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Sprinter Cargo Van offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The NV doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Sprinter Cargo Van has standard power remote mirrors. The NV 1500 S doesn’t offer either a remote driver side or passenger side mirror. The driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

The Sprinter Cargo Van’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan charges extra for heated mirrors on the NV.

The Sprinter Cargo Van’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The NV’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The Sprinter Cargo Van offers optional heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the NV.

The Sprinter Cargo Van’s optional automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The NV doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Sprinter Cargo Van offers an optional Active Distance Assist Distronic, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The NV doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes Sprinter Cargo Van offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the glovebox. The NV doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Recommendations

The Mercedes Sprinter outsold the Nissan NV by almost three to one during the 2021 model year.