![]() ![]() Mercedes probably sells far more Sprinters for commercial use than for passenger hauling, so it wouldn’t be surprising if comfort, specifically ride quality, weren’t a priority in this van’s development. Mercedes’ also did a great job muffling the sound of the engine even when it’s working hard, you hardly hear it. Its dance partner, a 9-speed automatic transmission, deserves much of the credit, as its shift timing and gear choices were nearly always spot on. Even with nine people aboard, the four-cylinder engine had little issue accelerating onto highways or passing slower traffic. ![]() This little 2.0-liter’s 188 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque left our mind at ease, though, once we got behind the wheel. How could such a small engine handle not only the weight of such a large van but everything it’s designed to carry, from nearly 3,500 pounds of cargo to 15 people in the case of the longest wheelbase version. When Mercedes announced it would be offering the new Sprinter with a turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine for the first time, we were surprised. Our takeaway: the new Sprinter is an impressive machine that drives far smaller than it looks and is more comfortable than its work roots might suggest. We spent our time behind the wheel driving family hither and yon across northern California – on long highway stretches, through twisty terrain, up and down elevations, and in the city. ![]()
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