Compare the2024 Ford Transit VanVS 2024 Mercedes eSprinter

The Transit Van has standard Post-Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The eSprinter 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 Transit Van offers an optional Reverse Brake Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The eSprinter doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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

The Transit Van’s 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 eSprinter doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Transit Van offers an optional 360-Degree Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The eSprinter only offers a rear monitor.

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

Both the Transit Van and the eSprinter 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, rearview cameras, available daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems and driver alert monitors.

Ford’s powertrain warranty covers the Transit Van 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the eSprinter. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the eSprinter ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 8 times as many Ford dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Transit Van’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ford 7 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Transit Van’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 139 more horsepower (275 vs. 136) than the eSprinter’s standard electric motor. The Transit Van’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 71 more horsepower (275 vs. 204) than the eSprinter’s optional electric motor. The Transit Van’s optional 3.5 turbo V6 produces 106 more horsepower (310 vs. 204) and 105 lbs.-ft. more torque (400 vs. 295) than the eSprinter’s optional electric motor.

The Transit Van’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the eSprinter’s 75 series tires.

The Transit Van has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The eSprinter’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The front suspension of the Transit Van uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the eSprinter, 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 average track (width between the wheels) on the Transit Van is 2 inches wider in the front and .4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the eSprinter.

For better maneuverability, the Transit T-150 Regular’s turning circle is 9.1 feet tighter than the eSprinter’s (42.9 feet vs. 52 feet). The Transit T-250 Long-EL’s turning circle is 4.2 feet tighter than the eSprinter’s (47.8 feet vs. 52 feet).

The Ford Transit Van may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 1750 pounds less than the Mercedes eSprinter.

The Transit T-150 Regular is 4 feet, 6.1 inches shorter than the eSprinter, making the Transit Van easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Transit Van is 24.9 inches shorter in height than the eSprinter, making the Transit Van much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The Transit Van’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the eSprinter’s (5100 vs. 4100 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Mercedes eSprinter is only 4100 pounds. The Transit Van offers up to a 6900 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Control on the Transit Van uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The eSprinter doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Transit T-250 AWD has a much higher standard payload capacity than the eSprinter (3872 vs. 2624 lbs.).

The Transit T-250 has a much higher optional payload capacity than the eSprinter (4068 vs. 2624 lbs.).

The Transit 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 eSprinter doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Transit Van’s available exterior PIN entry system. The eSprinter doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

In addition to the standard right side sliding door, the Ford Transit Van offers an optional driver’s side rear sliding door. This door simplifies loading and unloading passengers and it allows parents to easily secure two children into child seats. The eSprinter doesn’t offer a driver’s side rear door.

The Transit Van’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The eSprinter’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Transit Van’s optional rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The eSprinter doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Transit Van offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, 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 eSprinter doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The Transit Van’s optional Enhanced Active Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The eSprinter doesn’t offer an automated parking system.