Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 315CDI Cab Chassis 4x4 2009 Review

Like all Mercedes products, the three-pointed star on the Sprinter's generously proportioned grille infers quality, longevity, robust and elegant engineering, safety, thoughtful design, convenience and rock-solid resale values.

A while back Mercedes-Benz added a 4x4 option to its existing Sprinter range of vans and Cab-chassis workhorses. The aim was to broaden the appeal of the sturdy, voluminous and hi-tech commercial vehicles with the suggestion that the all-wheel-drive units would appeal to tradesmen who work in rough terrain, couriers to outlying areas, motorhome constructors, providers of emergency service vehicles (ambulances, etc) and the military.

In the case of the cab-chassis 4x4 versions of the Sprinter range, the usage options are even greater as the load-bed can be specified with almost anything.

We tested perhaps the most versatile of all -- fitted with a factory-spec tray with three drop-down aluminium sides. A $4000 option, the tray comes with a stout 'headboard' and a couple of voluminous plastic tool-boxes behind the cab. It might be a long way from the ground, but is it also vast. If it had a big 'H' painted on it, there'd be a risk of helicopters trying to land.

In fact, everything is a long way from the ground on the 4x4 Sprinters. Despite being fitted with an extra step, it's a big knee bend getting in and a long drop on the way out, both of which can become hard work if you're doing it more than a few times each day.

The cab -- the front section anyway -- and controls are identical to the van version, but while a second row of three seats is an extra-cost option in the vans, the ute version gets a crew-cab treatment. The size of the cabin permits four seats in the back row, but with little of the comfort or convenience afforded the driver and single front seat passenger.

Mercedes has long aimed to achieve a car-like driving feel for its light commercial vehicles and the Sprinter reflects this design approach. The driver's workstation would appear to be very car-like, and the instrument and control layout is pretty intuitive if you've ever driven a Mercedes sedan.

There are, however, some glaring ergonomic shortfalls, such as that sure sign of a cost-sensitive conversion from left to right-hand steering -- the long reach to the volume controls on the radio/CD unit (there are no controls on the steering wheel), and the extremely poor placement of the all-wheel drive and low-range selector buttons.

The latter are entirely obscured by the horizontal spoke of the steering wheel and the AWD indicator warning lamp is on the button itself -- thus it's entirely possible that AWD can be accidentally left engaged when it is neither wanted nor required. At least the low-range function offers a warning lamp in the instrument binnacle.

Getting into the front of the cabin is not aided by an overhead grab rail as it is near enough 2.3m from the ground -- therefore essentially useless as an access aid. There is another handle, mounted, not on the A-pillar, but on the door's leading edge next to it. This is not as useful as hauling yourself in on it can cause the door to swing -- not ideal if you're parked in between a couple of expensive sedans.

The rear doors are tall and narrow, but access is actually easier. They have windows which pivot outwards slightly but do not wind down in the conventional way.

Despite its high ground-clearance, the Sprinter's approach, departure and ramp-over angles aren't especially impressive: 22, 21 and 18 degrees respectively for the medium wheelbase ute.

The long or medium wheelbase ute comes with the 110kW/330Nm 2.2-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox that would normally drive the dual rear wheels. A five-speed auto transmission is a $2200 option.

The 315 has a maximum payload of 2000kg and is rated to tow another two tonnes.

The fuel tank holds about 100 litres, so visits to the servo won't be an every day occurrence unless you're running seriously long-distance deliveries.

All-wheel drive adds a not-inconsiderable $22,000 to the basic Sprinter's price. However, the all-wheel drive does increase the places the Sprinter will go. Like any ute, unladen, the big Benz sometimes struggled for grip in two-wheel drive, but clicking into all-wheel drive did significantly improve traction -- aided by MB's excellent traction and skid control systems.

The all-wheel drive 65/35 rear-biased system requires the vehicle to be stationary and in neutral to engage either all-wheel drive or low range, so "on-the-fly" selection isn't possible.

Like the mechanically similar enclosed van, the ute isn't intended to be an all-conquering offroader. In sixth gear in low range 60km/h comes up at 2000rpm. In high range these revs equates to 80km/h.

The manual gearbox is reasonably smooth controlled by a stubby dash-mounted lever; but the clutch engaged with a distinct thump -- just like the van.

The (very) elevated seating position gives excellent visibility and the optional extra-cost Comfort front seats offer good support for backs and under the thighs. There's a single drop-down armrest on each front seat.

The range of movement in the reach and rake-adjustable steering wheel is very limited and the instrumentation looks like something out of a mid-90s base-line C-Class -- not a mega-dollar behemoth with almost as much dash-space as a transcontinental coach.

A small speedo and tacho are easy enough to read, but flank a small LCD digital display which supposedly does the rest. If you want more than the most rudimentary functions and readouts, you need to pay significantly more dollars for the next level on the options list. The generally poor switch layout and unhelpful cabin access ergonomics count heavily against what is, mechanically, a very fine vehicle.

While Sprinters are fitted with cruise-control, there's no indication of when the system is activated, other than a digital speed, buried in among a host of other digits in the LCD panel. At least for the traditional Benz fit maximum speed restrictor there is a warning light on the stalk to indicate that the system is engaged.

There's a hill-holder system that stops the vehicle rolling backwards on starts, ABS brakes and the traction, stability and anti-skid control systems work in conjunction with load-sensing software that adjusts responses if the vehicle's load starts to shift. This adaptive stability control system is the best on the market today and interacts with roll over mitigation, roll movement intervention and understeer control functions.

As well as antilock brakes, the Sprinter also has sedan-style brake assist which maintains brake pressure if an emergency stop is detected and EBD which distributions maximum braking effort to the wheels with the most grip.

With all this safety-boosting software aboard, the extra $800 asked for a passenger-side airbag extra-cost option seems mean. It's likely that a helper, labourer or co-driver will fill the left seat and putting an airbag there costs extra, as do window and chest air-bags too.

Driving the Sprinter is very easy apart from the grabby clutch action. Responses to the controls are very car-like and while it's not really possible to forget how big it is, it's not a particularly intimidating vehicle to drive. The same can't be said for other road users -- it is intimidating for other drivers as it fills its lane on the freeway and looms large in the mirrors.

The huge cabin does offer a lot of storage space, from a shelf above the windscreen to the dash-top bin, cup-holders and lower-door-mounted cabinets and bottle-holders.

Although there are four seats across the back, they aren't very spacious and four big people, or passengers wearing bulky clothing -- fire-fighters for example -- will find the back seat cramped.

This flies in the face of hopes that the 4x4 Sprinter ute will find favour as a rapid response accident or fire attack vehicle. Alas it's the ute's price which will count against it the most -- it's simply too expensive for most volunteer brigades and organisations to have sitting around, waiting for a call to action.

Price Guide (recommended price before statutory and delivery charges): $72,490
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): metallic paint $1600; tray $4000
Crash rating: not tested
Fuel: Diesel
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): not published
CO2 emissions (g/km): not published
Also consider: Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4x2