Both the ProMaster Cargo Van and the Sprinter Cargo Van 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, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, rearview cameras, available daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.
Compare the2023 Ram ProMaster Cargo VanVS 2022 Mercedes Sprinter Cargo Van
Safety
Warranty
The ProMaster Cargo Van comes with free roadside assistance for 5 years 60,000 miles. Ram will send help if you run out of gas, need a jump-start, lock your keys in or need any assistance on the road. Mercedes doesn’t give free roadside assistance for the Sprinter Cargo Van.
The ProMaster Cargo Van’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Sprinter Cargo Van runs out after 100,000 miles.
There are over 6 times as many Ram dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the ProMaster Cargo Van’s warranty.
Reliability
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ram vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. With 3 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Ram higher than Mercedes.
From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Ram vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ram 13 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.
Engine
The ProMaster Cargo Van’s 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 88 more horsepower (276 vs. 188) than the Sprinter Cargo Van’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.
Fuel Economy and Range
The ProMaster Cargo Van has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sprinter Cargo Van Gas’ standard fuel tank (24 vs. 22 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.
Tires and Wheels
For better traction, the ProMaster Cargo Van has larger tires than the Sprinter Cargo Van (225/75R16 vs. 215/85R16).
The ProMaster Cargo Van’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 75 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sprinter Cargo Van 3500/4500’s standard 85 series tires.
Suspension and Handling
The front suspension of the ProMaster Cargo Van uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the Sprinter Cargo Van, which uses leaf springs. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.
For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the ProMaster Cargo Van is 3.8 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Sprinter Cargo Van.
For better maneuverability, the ProMaster Cargo Van’s turning circle is tighter than the Sprinter Cargo Van’s:
|
ProMaster Cargo Van |
Sprinter Cargo Van |
LWB Van |
40.7 feet |
47.2 feet |
Extended Van |
46.8 feet |
n/a |
Chassis
The ProMaster Cargo Van is shorter than the Sprinter Cargo Van, making the ProMaster Cargo Van easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces:
|
ProMaster Cargo Van |
Sprinter Cargo Van |
SWB Van |
195.4 inches |
233.5 inches |
LWB Van |
213.2 inches |
274.3 inches |
Extended Van |
236.2 inches |
290 inches |
Passenger Space
The ProMaster 1500 SWB has 18.1 inches more front headroom, 2.2 inches more front hip room and 7.4 inches more front shoulder room than the Sprinter Cargo Van 1500 144” WB.
The ProMaster 1500 MWB has 9 inches more front headroom, 2.2 inches more front hip room and 7.4 inches more front shoulder room than the Sprinter Cargo Van 2500 170” WB High Roof.
The ProMaster 2500 LWB High Roof has 2.2 inches more front hip room and 7.4 inches more front shoulder room than the Sprinter Cargo Van 2500 170” EXT WB High Roof.
Cargo Capacity
The ProMaster Cargo Van’s cargo area is larger than the Sprinter Cargo Van’s in almost every dimension:
|
ProMaster 1500 SWB |
ProMaster 3500 Ext. LWB |
Sprinter Cargo Van 2500 170” EXT WB High Roof |
Length |
105.1” |
160” |
n/a |
Max Width |
75.6” |
75.6” |
70.4” |
Min Width |
55.8” |
55.8” |
53.2” |
Height |
65.4” |
76” |
79.1” |
Payload and Towing
The ProMaster Cargo Van’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Sprinter Cargo Van’s (6910 vs. 5000 pounds).
The ProMaster Cargo Van has a higher standard payload capacity than the Sprinter Cargo Van:
|
ProMaster Cargo Van |
Sprinter Cargo Van |
1500 Van |
4000 lbs. |
3953 lbs. |
2500 Van |
4010 lbs. |
3781 lbs. |
3500 Van |
4330 lbs. |
4126 lbs. |
Ergonomics
The ProMaster Cargo Van offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The Sprinter Cargo Van doesn’t offer a remote starting system.
The ProMaster Cargo Van’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Sprinter Cargo Van has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.
The ProMaster Cargo Van’s optional Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Sprinter Cargo Van doesn’t offer an automated parking system.
Recommendations
The Ram ProMaster outsold the Mercedes Sprinter by 48% during the 2021 model year.