Compare the2024 Mercedes Sprinter Passenger VanVS 2023 Ford Transit Wagon

Safety
Warranty
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics

Safety

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Both the Sprinter Passenger Van and Transit Wagon offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the Sprinter Passenger Van with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert also has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Transit Wagon’s Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Sprinter Passenger Van and the Transit Wagon 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 lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

Warranty

The Sprinter Passenger Van comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire van. The Transit Wagon’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Mercedes’ powertrain warranty covers the Sprinter Passenger Van 40,000 miles longer than Ford covers the Transit Wagon. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Transit Wagon ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Sprinter Passenger Van has larger tires than the Transit Wagon (245/75R16 vs. 235/65R16).

Suspension and Handling

The Sprinter Passenger Van has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Sprinter Passenger Van flat and controlled during cornering. The Transit Wagon’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Sprinter Passenger Van has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Transit Wagon doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sprinter Passenger Van 2500 170” WB’s wheelbase is 22 inches longer than on the Transit Wagon (170 inches vs. 148 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Sprinter Passenger Van 1500 144” WB’s turning circle is 2.8 feet tighter than the Transit 350 Long’s (45 feet vs. 47.8 feet).

Chassis

The Mercedes Sprinter Passenger Van may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 800 pounds less than the Ford Transit Wagon.

Passenger Space

The Sprinter Passenger Van 2500 170” WB has 15.6 inches more front headroom and 3 inches more front hip room than the Transit 350 Long.

Payload and Towing

The Sprinter Passenger Van’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Transit Wagon’s (5000 vs. 4400 pounds).

The Sprinter Passenger Van has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Transit Wagon (3020 vs. 2722 lbs.).

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the Sprinter Passenger 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 Transit Wagon doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Sprinter Passenger 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 Transit Wagon’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Sprinter Passenger 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 Transit Wagon can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Sprinter Passenger Van’s standard sliding doors can be opened with less than three inches side clearance. The Transit Wagon’s optional rear double doors are clumsy and make loading in tight spots difficult.

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

The Sprinter Passenger Van’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Transit Wagon’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen. The Sprinter Passenger Van’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the Transit Wagon’s optional xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; LED headlights light instantly. LED lights also last about three to four times as long.

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

The Sprinter Passenger Van’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford charges extra for heated mirrors on the Transit Wagon.

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

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

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

The Sprinter Passenger Van offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Transit Wagon doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.