Mercedes-Benz eSprinter 2024 Review

Car companies are usually reticent to announce local pricing at an international launch, when the Australian arrival is still months away. However, it is a given that electric vehicles cost more than their diesel relatives, and the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter will be no exception.

We posed the question to our Australian distributors here and were told that the eSprinter’s pricing has not been finalised, but a 20 per cent uptick over the diesel could be an indicative premium.

And if that is all it is going to be, then the eSprinter could be considered relatively good buying.

The price of a comparable Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in diesel form in our market, in similar spec to the ones we drove at the launch (long-wheelbase, high roof rated to 4500kg), would be in the region of $90,000 to $94,000, so the electric version with a 20 per cent premium would theoretically be around $112,000 plus on-road costs.

However, we’ll have to wait until closer to launch for the actual figure.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter is a big van, make no mistake. The versions we drove were the high-roof panel vans in long-wheelbase guise, which will be the first vehicles offered in Australia along with a medium-wheelbase version.

The long-wheelbase version has a load capacity of 14 cubic metres and a GVM of 4.25 tonnes. Payload capacity is in the region of 1700kg and the eSprinter can tow a trailer weighing up to 2000kg.

The rear of the van is accessed via a wide sliding door that can be either manual or optionally electric, as well as the rear lifting door.

Inside, we noted plenty of sturdy tie-down points and generous amounts of LED lighting. Certainly when it comes to our market, a wide range of options will be available.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter vans we drove at the US launch did not have active lane keeping or adaptive cruise control.

However, when quizzed about this, one of the engineers said that this would become available in the coming months. We understand that by the time the vans arrive in our market they’ll be equipped with a complete suite of driver assist safety features.

One of the features the van did have was active brake assist. This provides autonomous braking support in the case of an emergency.

Other safety systems include blind spot assist and attention assist, the latter detecting if the driver is drowsy or inattentive, braking the vehicle automatically if it detects anomalies.

Another highlight was the optional digital rear-view mirror offering the driver unobstructed views behind the van. It’s designed for vans or cab-chassis with a bulkhead behind the cab.

With this option, a conventional-looking ‘mirror’ is installed on the windscreen but it serves as a digital rear-view mirror transmitting an image from a camera installed on the rear-end of the roof. The camera and the ‘mirror’ are equipped with light sensors that automatically adjust to the ambient conditions.

We tried it and it works extremely well, giving a better view than a regular mirror.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter brings with it the latest in-car technology along with the cloud-based services of the ‘Mercedes me’ digital ecosystem.

This includes the latest version of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) from Mercedes-Benz passenger cars. The system can be operated either via ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice control, via the 10.25-inch touch-screen display or via steering wheel controls.

With Mercedes me, customers of the new eSprinter have access to a range of digital extras such as convenience services, special navigation features, remote services and EV-specific services like where the nearest charging stations are.

Of course, there are the usual features you get in Mercedes-Benz cars like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity.

The main components of the electric powertrain in the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter feature two new developments: a new e-motor and an advanced electric eAxle powering the rear wheels.

Both are being used for the first time in a Mercedes-Benz battery-electric van.

The permanent magnet synchronous motor (PSM) weighs around 130kg and is available in power levels of either 100kW or 150kW – here in Australia, we’ll be getting the 150kW version – and delivers torque of up to 400Nm.

The eAxle configuration means there is no prop shaft, allowing the van to have a completely flat floor.

Three different drive modes allow for customisation of performance and energy consumption. They are: Comfort, which delivers the full complement of performance and torque; Economic, which limits engine power for more efficiency; and Maximum Range, which further reduces the motor’s output along with limiting the use of features such as climate control in order optimise range to a maximum.

Additionally, there are four levels of regenerative braking – D-, D, D+, D++ – but the driver can also switch to the sophisticated D Auto automatic mode. The advantage of the automatic D Auto function is that the vehicle automatically defines the regen rate based on the traffic situation.

At the launch we were told the official line is that the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter can go for 400km on a single charge with the 113kWh battery on-board.

However, the engineers there did some real-world testing and told us that they achieved 443km (from Las Vegas to Newport Beach) without charging. That, we were told, was with a 200kg load and a driver and passenger.

During our test drives we achieved 4.3km/kWh (23kWh/100km) as a best-case figure and around 3.7km/kWh (27kWh/100km).

The eSprinter can manage DC charging up to 115kW, with Mercedes-Benz quoting a recharge time (from 10 to 80 per cent) of 42 minutes at this level with the 113kWh battery. AC charging at 11kW requires an 11-hour downtime period for the same result.

It may seem incongruous when describing a van, but I would describe the ride of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter as plush. This van actually rides and handles like a car, and at times I actually thought it was a tad under-damped.

The electric steering is direct and light. The eSprinter, for a big van, takes corners flat and points beautifully.

There is plenty of torque on hand as soon as you press the accelerator, and although it’s not neck-snapping, we were rarely last off at the lights.

Using the paddles on the back of the steering wheel, the driver can choose the amount of regen braking from the four levels available and dial up a suitable level for the conditions. I found that I could almost get to a one-pedal driving state by using the regenerative braking.

Similarly, the driver can set the driving mode for the conditions via a button just below the power button – not the ideal place for it, I thought, as it wouldn’t take too much misjudgement to hit the power button.

The seating is fine with a comfortable perch and a flip-down arm rest, but I didn’t see an option for a suspension seat. Is one necessary? Probably not, but some prospective drivers or owners might like one.

Vision from the driver’s seat is great, especially with the digital rear-view mirror. However, I didn’t like the small convex mirrors on the wing mirrors. They were too small and didn’t move with the electric controls.

The load area of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter LWB is cavernous. Even taller drivers can get in there and walk around.

The interior space is 14 cubic metres, with a payload of 1725kg, so it is a very useful payload for an electric vehicle. And the floor is flat all the way through, making it handy for palleted loads.

The GVM will be 4500kg when it hits our shores, but interestingly Mercedes-Benz is quoting a maximum towing weight of 2000kg, which makes this van even more versatile.

For a commercial van, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter looks luxurious. The dash is fully digital and comes right out of the passenger car range.

The steering wheel has buttons for cruise, entertainment and phone as well as for scrolling through the driver assistance features on the screen.

If you’re looking for an electric solution in your van fleet, looking to upgrade from an existing van or, indeed, if you’re looking for an electric RV, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter would be hard to go past.

The comfort, range and capability of the eSprinter certainly will put it on top of the heap in terms of electric vans.

Sure, there will be more affordable electric vans coming out this year, and in the future, but the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter will be the benchmark.

2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter at a glance:
Price: $120,000 est (plus on-road costs)
Available: Third quarter 2024
Powertrain: Single permanent magnet synchronous motor
Output: 150kW/400Nm
Transmission: eAxle
Battery: 113kWh lithium iron phosphate
Range: 400km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 27.4-30.6kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested