One of the most popular and most versatile luxury vans on the market is the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. You can use them for commercial purposes to deliver packages or transport tools, resources, and necessary gear for jobs. They can also be a good vehicle for hauling multiple passengers, making them an excellent choice for rideshare drivers.
The spacious interior and multiple modern features make the Sprinter the ideal van for those who want to take on the open road and live the life of a traveller without paying the high price of an RV or camper van. The Sprinter is one of the most popular models that RVers convert into a fully functional camper van.
Here we will take a closer look at the different models of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, especially the 2500 and 3500 models.
Breaking Down the Difference Between the Sprinter 2500 and the 3500 Models
There are several differences between the 2500 and 3500 Sprinter models. Overall, the 3500 has the most features and is the most powerful since it operates exclusively on diesel.
The 2500 includes a broader range of builds but is also less powerful. Both vehicles have multiple option packages available if you are purchasing new from a factory dealer.
To decide which Sprinter model is the best option for you, it’s essential that you break down all the differences. We hope this will help you better understand which van offers the features you could benefit from the most.
The Different Sprinter Models
There are nine different sprinter models in all. WB indicates a different wheelbase, while EXT is an indication of an extended model.
- 2500, 144″ WB
- 2500, 170″ WB
- 2500, 170″ EXT WB
- 3500, 144″ WB
- 3500, 170″ WB
- 3500, 170″ EXT WB
- 3500 Dually, 144″ WB
- 3500 Dually, 170″ WB
- 3500 Dually, 170″ EXT WB
While it’s essential to look at all the different available models, we will place most of our focus on the 2500 and 3500 models because of their popularity.
First, let’s look at how these two models are similar. Both are 79.5” wide, and both include all the standard safety features you would expect, such as active brake assist, airbags, and adaptive cruise control. Both models are also certified for use with ULE/SULEV emissions.
When it comes to the differences, there are several. The most notable being the different engine models, dimensions, configurations, and wheelbases. The 3500 Sprinter, for example, comes with a dual-rear-wheel configuration, while the 2500 does not.
Dimensions
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is available in various dimensions, with the standard length being 233.5” or 19 feet. Models that are extended length are 24 feet. That makes those models slightly wider than the others. Roof heights can range between 8 and 9 feet off the ground. All Dually models include an extra rear tire on each side to ensure stability for heavy-duty applications.
- 2500, 144″ – 233.5″ long; 96.3″ to 111.3″ high
- 2500, 170″ – 274.3″ long; 107.3″ to 110.9″ high
- 2500, 170″ EXT – 290″ long; 107″ to 110.5″ high
- 3500, 144″ – 233.5″ long; 109.4″ high
- 3500, 170″ – 274.3″ long; 109.1″ high
- 3500, 170″ EXT – 290″ long; 108.7″ high
- 3500 Dually, 144″ – 233.5″ long; 96.4″ to 109.1″ high
- 3500 Dually, 170″ – 274.3″ long; 108.7″ high
- 3500 Dually, 170″ EXT – 290″ long; 108.4″ high
Engine & Fuel Comparison
The engine options for the different combinations of Sprinter models are as follows.
- 2500, 144” – Gasoline or Diesel
- 2500, 170” – Gasoline or Diesel
- 2500, 170” EXT – Diesel only
- 3500, 144” – Diesel only
- 3500, 170” – Diesel only
- 3500, 170” EXT – Diesel only
- 3500 Dually, 144” – Diesel only
- 3500 Dually, 170” – Diesel only
- 3500 Dually, 170″ EXT – Diesel only
Sprinter vans are available with three different engine variations. They include a 2 litre 4 cylinder turbocharged gasoline-powered engine capable of producing 188 horsepower and 258-foot lbs. of torque. It features a 22-gallon fuel tank and uses 87 octane fuels.
Two diesel engines are available that include a 3 litre V6 Turbodiesel engine that produces 188 horsepower and 325-foot lbs. of torque. It uses regular diesel and has a 24.5-gallon tank.
The second diesel engine option is a 2-litre inline-4 engine that produces 161 horsepower and 266-foot lbs. of torque. It also burns regular diesel and has a fuel tank with a total capacity of 24.5 gallons.
Payload Capacity
The payload capacity for each engine and powertrain option for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter varies. Here are some details on each model variation and their payload capacity for you to consider.
- 2500, 144” – 3,825 to 4,442 pounds
- 2500, 170” – 3,318 to 4,034 pounds
- 2500, 170” EXT – 3,318 to 3,726 pounds
- 3500, 144” – 4,488 to 4,554 pounds
- 3500, 170” – 4,125 to 4,201 pounds
- 3500, 170” EXT – 4,069 to 4,124 pounds
- 3500 Dually, 144″ – 4,488 to 4,620 pounds
- 3500 Dually, 170″ – 4,135 to 4,190 pounds
- 3500 Dually, 170″ EXT – 4,058 to 4,113 pounds
The payload capacity is a crucial feature for anyone considering an RV conversion. It is in reference to the amount of cargo weight you can safely haul along with your vehicle’s curb weight.
An example of payload can be anything from a pickup truck’s bed full of carpenter supplies to a van full of luggage for an upcoming trip. If you are purchasing a Sprinter to convert it into a camper van, you will need to know things like the weight of the water tanks, storage, bunks, furnishings, gear, and any necessary wiring or plumbing.
Towing Capacity
Towing capacity is the overall amount of weight your vehicle can tow when it is pulling a trailer. If you plan to drive cross country with your Sprinter van, you may want to bring along a trailer to haul other necessities.
The vehicle’s manufacturer determines the towing capacity. It considers the GWR, GAWR, and GTW. In other words, it is the maximum capacity of what your trailer can weigh.
For the 2500 model Sprinter van, the GVWR is no more than 9,050 pounds, and for the 3500, the GVWR is no more than 9,900 pounds.
Knowing the towing capacity is helpful if you plan to bring along your bike, jet ski, or compact car while you are RVing. All Sprinter 2500 models, regardless of expansion or wheelbase, can tow up to 5,000 pounds. All Sprinter 3500 models can tow a maximum of 7,500 pounds.
Features for Stabilization
All 2500 model Sprinters include Level II Stabilization features. These help to roll stabilizers and dampers that are attached to the van’s axle. It helps to prevent rollovers from occurring by successfully absorbing compression and rebound.
The 3500 Sprinter models are equipped with Level III stabilization.
These vehicles are designed to take on heavier loads than the 2500 model, posing a higher risk of tipping or swaying. Because of this, Mercedes used the existing Level II stabilization systems and improved them to handle the extra load without the risk of rollovers.
Both the Level II and Level III stabilization systems work very well. A
s long as you drive as you should without taking on terrain that is difficult for an RV to cross, you should be able to maintain stability with your Sprinter van whether you are spending time on or off the road.
Which Sprinter Model is Best?
It’s essential to look at all the options available for the Sprinter van.
These features are imperative when choosing the van that is right for your needs. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz 2500 Sprinter Cargo Van, for example, allowed buyers to choose between a standard or high roof. The standard roof was only available with a 144in. wheelbase.
To add more diversity to your vehicle, you could also choose between FWD or AWD.
Those who were interested in the high roof option could choose between a 140in. and 170in. wheelbase, as well as between FWD and AWD. These models also came with an Extended option, giving the buyer a total of six different options for a high roof to choose from.
With so many different feature combinations, it can be challenging to decide which model is best for you, especially when just comparing statistics.
The best way to discover the difference between the 2500 and 3500 models and all other variations is to visit a dealer and take a van for a test drive. There you can learn more about what options are currently available for the most current models and how they fit into your budget.