Compare the2024 GMC Savana CargoVS 2024 Mercedes Sprinter Cargo Van

Both the Savana Cargo 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available collision warning systems, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

The Savana Cargo comes with free roadside assistance for 5 years 60,000 miles. GMC 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 Savana Cargo’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Sprinter Cargo Van’s (6/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

There are over 4 times as many GMC dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Savana Cargo’s warranty.

The Savana Cargo has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Sprinter Cargo Van doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the van’s engine.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Savana Cargo’s reliability 20 points higher than the Sprinter Cargo Van.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that GMC vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in initial quality. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that GMC vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes With 3 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks GMC higher than Mercedes.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that GMC vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks GMC 5 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Savana Cargo’s optional 6.6 V8 produces 190 more horsepower (401 vs. 211) and 132 lbs.-ft. more torque (464 vs. 332) than the Sprinter Cargo Van’s 2.0 turbo diesel.

The Savana Cargo has 6.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sprinter Cargo Van (31 vs. 24.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Savana Cargo’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Sprinter Cargo Van are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Savana Cargo has larger tires than the Sprinter Cargo Van (245/75R16 vs. 215/85R16).

The Savana Cargo’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.

The GMC Savana Cargo’s wheels have 8 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mercedes Sprinter Cargo Van only has 6 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Savana Cargo has standard front gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Sprinter Cargo Van’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The front suspension of the Savana Cargo 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 maneuverability, the Savana Cargo 2500 135” WB’s turning circle is 2.8 feet tighter than the Sprinter Cargo Van 2500 170” WB’s (49.2 feet vs. 52 feet).

The Savana Cargo is shorter than the Sprinter Cargo Van, making the Savana Cargo easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces:

The Savana Cargo is 8.2 inches narrower on average than the Sprinter Cargo Van, making the Savana Cargo easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Savana Cargo is 13.5 inches shorter in height than the Sprinter Cargo Van, making the Savana Cargo much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The Savana Cargo 2500 135” WB has 2.5 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more front hip room and 1.5 inches more front shoulder room than the Sprinter Cargo Van 2500 170” WB High Roof.

The Savana Cargo’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Sprinter Cargo Van’s (7100 vs. 5000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Mercedes Sprinter Cargo Van 3500 is only 7500 pounds. The Savana Cargo 2500 135” WB offers up to a 10,000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Savana Cargo offers an optional under hood light to help in making nighttime maintenance checks, adding fluids, etc. The Sprinter Cargo Van doesn’t offer an under hood light.

The Savana Cargo 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 Savana Cargo’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Sprinter Cargo Van does not have an oil pressure gauge.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Savana Cargo offers optional rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Sprinter Cargo Van doesn’t offer rear vents.

Insurance will cost less for the Savana Cargo owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Savana Cargo will cost $1675 to $7245 less than the Sprinter Cargo Van over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the GMC Savana Cargo will be $2570 to $30363 less than for the Mercedes Sprinter Cargo Van.