Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 314 CDI 2018 Review

What’s it all about?

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has been a real success story for the prestige brand’s Vans division. Aside from one Asian light truck in its 3.5 to 8.0-tonne segment, the Sprinter has been the sales champion this year, selling just over 1200 sales to the end of May. That’s nearly double the number of its next closest direct rival, the Renault Master.

The updated Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is on the way and is expected to reach Australia during the last three months of 2018. Although there are new front-wheel drive Sprinter models joining the range, the rear-drive models will mostly carry-over with a facelift and revised interior design, including the new MBUX infotainment system.

How much will it cost?

Pricing will be released for the updated Mercedes-Benz Sprinter models closer to the local launch. That’s planned for the fourth quarter of this year (2018), but spec-for-spec prices are not expected to change significantly.

We drove the rear-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 314 CDI van with a 3.5-tonne GVW (gross vehicle weight). Based on the current 313 CDI models, look for pricing at this level to range between around $50,000 up to just under $60,000, depending on wheelbase and other specifications.

Entry-level rear-drive Mercedes-Benz Sprinter models currently start just below $45,000 and the new front-wheel drive models will be cheaper still, when they arrive. Perhaps count on a price around $40,000 for those.

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Why should I/shouldn’t I buy it?

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is known for being a civilised commercial vehicle, and the new model has raised the stakes again. Despite its apparent bulk and van-like proportions, the driving position quickly feels car-like and the Sprinter can be whipped along at fairly high touring speeds without fuss.

It’s very easy to drive, even with a manual transmission, as in this case. The Sprinter provides a commanding view from the driver's seat, but taking one's place in the seat is made easier by the large step within the frame, concealed when the door is closed. Big external mirrors cover the blind spots comprehensively, with convex secondary units incorporated in each cluster.

Cruising at 130km/h (legally) on Slovenia’s freeways, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter was understandably subject to some wind noise, but the diesel powertrain faded into the background. It was also quiet in the cabin. In the test vehicle, a bulkhead behind the two front seats ensured there was no ‘booming’ from the load compartment.

Based on a mix of open-road speeds and lower-paced rural driving (through quaint Slovenian villages), the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter finished up posting a fuel consumption figure of 8.2L/100km. This is quite respectable in the circumstances – a driver and co-driver on-board, plus 350kg of ballast to keep the Sprinter riding properly (which it did!).

The interior design has seen the large lever handbrake dropped in favour of a dash-mounted pull handle, just like the passenger cars in the Mercedes-Benz range.

The new MBUX infotainment system is substantially more sophisticated, and there are now also touch-pads on the steering wheel spokes to swipe and scroll through trip computer and infotainment functions with ease. Air-conditioning has been upgraded and the seats are better shaped and softly cushioned for comfort to suit drivers in and out of the vehicle all day, every day.

And while all that might sound a bit unimportant in a commercial vehicle, there are plenty of professional drivers who would disagree.

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When is it available in Australia?

The rollout of the new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter will commence from the final quarter of 2018, with the current model already in run-out.

Who will it appeal to?

For its blend of comfort, refinement and safety technology (such as reversing camera and around-view camera monitoring), the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter will draw in owner drivers and the larger fleets alike.

One of the Sprinter’s principal virtues is its ease of use, making it a good entree for aspiring commercial vehicle drivers.

The vehicle on test, with its 3.5-tonne GVW, can be driven on a standard car licence. There are bus models available in the range as well.

Mercedes-Benz also expects the Sprinter to chase the motorhome market in Australia, with the importer shipping in rolling-chassis models (with no body-work other than the cowl, windscreen and A-pillars. After-market manufacturers will then supply and fit the motorhome bodies for grey nomads.

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Where does it fit?

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter spans two VFACTS marketing segments: Light buses under 20 seats and (heavy) commercial vehicles between 3.5 and 8.0 tonnes, GVW. In the latter segment it is up against other European-sourced light-duty vans and cab-chassis models, plus light trucks mostly from Japan.

So, what do we think?

For our test drive, my jovial co-driver from the land of the long white cloud and I were lumbered with a manual Sprinter. My companion doubtless watched eagle-eyed (Kiwi-eyed?) for any mistake on my part, shifting gear with the wrong hand. I needn’t have worried, however. Firstly, my fellow journo is a gentleman and secondly, I only miscued the once, which was a clear case of trying to be too clever for my own good.

The Sprinter with a manual transmission is child’s play to drive. But that’s hardly a consideration anyway, since Mercedes-Benz expects the vast majority of Sprinters sold in Australia to be automatics.

And why not? If you’ve developed a load-carrying vehicle that anyone can drive, why confuse the issue with a manual box?

What’s in a 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 314 CDI rear-wheel drive?
Price: TBA
Engine: 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 105kW/330Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 7.9-7.8L/100km (NEDC Combined)
CO2: 207-204g/km (NEDC Combined)
Safety Rating: TBA