13
REVIEW
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2014 Review
Payload volume and capacity, performance and economy, the Sprinter is big where it countsMercedes-Benz Sprinter 516 CDI Blue Efficiency
Road Test
The ubiquitous Sprinter mightn’t be the cheapest van in its class, but it does offer a higher payload capacity than many same-sized rivals and it's a more refined drive to boot. The 43-variant Sprinter range has something for everyone, and in 516 CDI Blue Efficiency long-wheelbase super-high-roof format, with up to 14 cubic metres of capacity, it can haul as much as 2495kg up back. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter range starts at $44,290 (plus on-road costs).
Bigger is better, make no qualms about it. And when it comes to large commercial vans, having a little extra size on your side should translate to extra dollars in your pocket at the end of every run.
There are a couple of vans in this category that offer the payload volume of Mercedes-Benz’s ubiquitous Sprinter (14 cubic metres), but few that can match it on capacity. With a carrying limit of 2000kg, the Sprinter 516 CDI Blue Efficiency on test has most bases covered, though just don’t expect to fit a standard pallet between the wheel arches [note: this can be optioned out with single rear wheels, instead of the dual rear wheels with which our test vehicle was fitted].
On test we sampled the Sprinter with 1000kg of payload and found little change to the vehicle’s excellent road manners or impressive performance. With V-BOX GPS-based measuring equipment fitted, we timed the Sprinter’s 0-60km/h run at 6.0 seconds and its 0-100km/h dash at 15.4 seconds – not bad for a vehicle with a tare weight of 2.5 tonnes.
The Sprinter’s 2.1-litre turbo-diesel engine offers 120kW and 360Nm, the latter available across a good spread from 1400-2400rpm. There’s very little step-off lag and, for the most part, the transmission is cooperative and smooth of shift.
We did, however, find the revs a little high (2400rpm) when cruising unladen at 100km/h, but suspect remaining in the torque curve when laden may be the rationale here. On test, the Sprinter 516 CDI is fitted with an optional 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission ($2790) in lieu of the standard six-speed manual.
Yet in spite of higher freeway revs, and when averaged across a mix of loaded/unloaded and city/freeway driving, the Sprinter achieved an on-test fuel consumption tally of 9.7L/100km.
NEDC testing shows the Sprinter to have a combined-cycle figure of 7.9L/100km (and a CO2 number of 208g/km) which makes our figure pretty good [in Australia, commercial vehicles are not required to provide an ADR combined figure in the same way passenger vehicles are].
Handling was nothing short of impressive, and given the Sprinter’s substantial footprint (6961mm long x 1993mm wide) its tenacity through corners is rather remarkable. The 16-inch tyres offer plenty of grip, and even when loaded body-roll is well contained. The suspension allows enough ‘give’ on initial turn-in to get weight on to the outside wheel, but thereafter firms up to support the Sprinter’s mass for settled and uniformed cornering.
Mid-corner bumps don’t distract the Sprinter’s attitude and on the whole we found the ride quality to be very good. Sure, the rear-end is a little firmer than the front, but that’s to be expected given the carrying capacity. The steering feel is equally notable, feeling more car-like than many we’ve sampled in this class. There’s enough weight and communication from the front wheels to feel what’s going on, but enough assistance to aid low-speed manoeuvring.
It’s a similar story with the Sprinter’s brake pedal. The pedal is progressive with excellent modulation throughout, while stopping power is inexorably strong, regardless of whether the vehicle is loaded or not. From 60km/h, we measured the Sprinter’s stopping distance at 20.2m (dry).
Climbing into the cockpit the Sprinter’s door-mounted grab handle feels at odds with your instinct, but is better than using the steering wheel as we’ve had to in some competitors. Once seated the Sprinter feels ergonomically correct, placing the driver within good reach of the primary controls.
The lack of a dead pedal was, however, missed after a couple of hours at the wheel, and saw the left thigh rest more heavily on the seat cushion than the right. The seat itself is otherwise supportive with good lumbar support and an appropriate level of adjustment.
Technology levels were car-like in the Sprinter, though we note that some of these were fitted as optional extras.
In addition to the expected equipment levels, the Sprinter on test was fitted with sat nav ($950), light and rain sensors ($490), bi-xenon headlights ($1590), foglights ($300) and Mercedes-Benz’s Lane Tracking Package ($1800) which comprises Blind Spot Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and High-Beam Assist.
Interestingly, and in spite of an otherwise generous equipment list, it was curious to note that the Sprinter is not fitted with a reversing camera or rear parking sensors. Oh, and the horn sounds like it belongs on a Vespa.
On the plus side, the cruise control provided braking downhill and also offered a speed limiter function. The HVAC system was also quite effective – especially considering the Sprinter on test was not fitted with a bulkhead – though its distribution channels seemed to deliver through all vents at once, regardless of where we’d selected.
The optional Lane Keeping and Blind Spot Assist pack worked seamlessly in traffic, giving visual cues that were especially handy in navigating narrow lanes. The same could not be said for the High-Beam assistant, which was confused by reflective street signs and puddles and was often reluctant to engage high-beam even on very dark roads. Flick to the ‘on’ (instead of ‘auto’) setting and the headlights proved exceptional.
We found the level of incidental storage to be rather generous, though the cupholders were oddly placed atop the dash. The sunvisors were of a good size and the Sprinter’s large mirrors with convex lower lens came in handy when reversing – a good thing considering there was no reversing camera fitted.
I also appreciated the Sprinter’s large wipers and strong washers, which were integrated into the wiper blade. Weird then there was no rear wiper/washer or demister fitted.
Without a bulkhead the drone from the differential could be heard under acceleration though this is a typical trait of vehicles of this kind, which tend to exaggerate any driveline noise much like the inside of a drum. On the whole, however, and when cruising at 80km/h, the Sprinter was rather quiet at 74dBA (as tested).
Leaning towards the expensive side of the equation the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516 CDI retails from $71,110 (as tested, plus on-road costs), but is backed by a comprehensive 36-month/200,000km warranty with three years included roadside assistance and 12-month/30,000km scheduled servicing intervals.
It may seem a little dear, but with a build quality that's second to none and an overwhelming feeling of solidity on the road, the Sprinter really does impress an opinion of ‘getting what you pay for’ from behind the wheel.
2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516 CDI Blue Efficiency pricing and specifications:
Price: $71,110 (as tested, plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 120kW/360Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.9L/100km (NEDC Combined)
CO2: 208g/km (NEDC Combined)
Safety Rating: N/A
2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516 CDI Blue Efficiency performance (as tested):
0-60km/h: 6.0 seconds
0-100km/h: 15.4 seconds
50-70km/h: 3.1 seconds
80-100km/h: 3.1 seconds
60-0km/h: 20.2 metres
dBA @ 80km/h: 74
Fuel economy: 9.7L/100km
| What we liked: | Not so much: |
| >> Strong, efficient turbo-diesel | >> Dual-wheel tub can't accommodate standard pallet |
| >> Excellent build quality throughout | >> Minor amenity and technology oversights |
| >> Higher payload capacity than some rivals | >> Grab-handle position for driver entry |
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Written byMatt Brogan
See all articlesOur team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Expert rating
66/100
Engine, Drivetrain & Chassis
16/20
Price, Packaging & Practicality
14/20
Safety & Technology
15/20
Behind the Wheel
13/20
X-Factor
8/20
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