The Sprinter Passenger 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 Express offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.
The Sprinter Passenger 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 Express 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 Passenger Van offers optional Rear Cross Traffic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Express doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.
The Sprinter Passenger Van offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Express doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.
The Sprinter Passenger Van offers an optional Surround View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Express 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 Passenger 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 Express doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.
The Sprinter Passenger 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 Express doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.
For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Sprinter Passenger 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 Express uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.
Both the Sprinter Passenger Van and the Express 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, available lane departure warning systems and blind spot warning systems.