Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 2020 Review

While the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 416 is at heart a light commercial vehicle, it's far more than a bare-bones workhorse.

One of a pair of 12-seater models, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 416 is the brand's top-spec minibus offering. The package builds on the Sprinter Transfer 414 with a more potent engine, auto lights and wipers, alloy wheels, high-performance headlights, fog lights and an electric sliding side door, among others, for a $15,447 premium.

Those changes push the price of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 416 to $87,926 (including GST, excluding on-road costs), with our option-laden test vehicle coming in at $100,269.

So, what do you get for $100k's worth of minibus? Plenty, as it turns out…

This minibus is based upon the new-generation Mercedes-Benz Sprinter unveiled in 2018. It's powered by a 2.1-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo-diesel producing 120kW and 360Nm – 15kW/30Nm more than the base-spec Sprinter Transfer 414.

The Transfer 416 is rear-wheel drive and uses Mercedes-Benz's 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission.

The engine is Euro 6 compliant and has a selective catalytic reduction system to help it meet emissions standard, so the vehicle also requires AdBlue.

In addition to its many safety features (more on those later), the Sprinter Transfer 416 also benefits from 'Benz's MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) multimedia system with 7.0-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, plus TFT/analogue instrumentation, keyless starting, idle-stop system, and cornering lights.

Our test vehicle boasts several options, including an electric park brake ($402), leather-wrap steering wheel ($253), high-performance roof-mounted air-conditioning ($3861), prestige paint ($2200), window tinting ($611), a painted bumper ($759), adaptive cruise control ($1210), dynamic lane keeping ($627), and a Driver Comfort Pack ($2420). The latter packages a heated driver's suspension seat and halogen fog lamps with a Parking Package with 360-degree camera.

Mercedes-Benz dominates Australia's large van market with its Sprinter, and that commercial know-how flows throughout the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 416.

The seating for 12 (including driver) is arranged in a 3-2-3-4 format, with a twin-passenger bench seat up front next to the driver and the remaining passengers in the rear.

Passenger access is via an electric sliding side door and automatic electric step.

The side door and step can be activated by the external handle, an internal button, a button on the dash, or via the remote key fob.

The step stops automatically if anything obstructs it and we really like the sturdy and prominent hand rail to help passengers in or out.

Each seat is fitted with a three-point safety belt and the outboard seats have reclining seat backs. The wall-mounted smartphone brackets with USB charging ports are a nice touch too, although they're all USBC plugs so an adapter cable may be necessary.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 416 has a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 4100kg, so it can be driven on a standard car licence.

This minibus has a maximum payload of 1455kg, which means that even with a full payload of occupants weighing 75kg each, there's still over half a tonne available to cover luggage.

The luggage area is accessed via the 50/50 barn-style doors at the rear. The floor height is reasonably high at 675mm but there's a lower sill to aid entry if required.

It's a roomy enough space but pretty basic – there are neither luggage anchor points nor any 12-volt sockets.

Smaller personal items may be stored in the elasticated netting on the seat backs.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 416 comes with a five-year, 250,000km factory warranty with complimentary roadside assistance, while service intervals are pegged at 40,000km or two years. Mercedes-Benz offers three levels of capped-price servicing arrangements.

Over the course of around 600km, we achieved a healthy average fuel economy of 11.0L/100km. That was with a mix of city and highway driving, with a fairly modest payload (a family of four, no luggage). With a 71-litre tank, that’s a safe range of over 600km.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 416 has a 2000kg braked towing limit.

As a commercial vehicle the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 416 hasn't been assessed by ANCAP, but this minibus has a list of active and passive safety features to rival, and in many cases surpass, average passenger cars.

The Sprinter Transfer builds on all the staples (stability control, antilock brakes, four airbags) with other standard features including forward collision alert with autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, reversing camera and fatigue alert.

The vehicle's electronic stability program includes things like hill start assist, crosswind assist, rollover mitigation and load adaptive control. Our test vehicle's optional Parking Package added front and rear sensors and a 360-degree camera.

Add in features like auto lights and wipers and high beam assist (where the vehicle automatically dips its light when it senses a vehicle ahead), and safety is clearly well addressed.

But Benz's technological prowess is on show throughout the Sprinter Transfer 416, and nowhere is that more evident than when sitting behind the steering wheel.

In addition to an effective voice command system, the steering wheel features a bank of integrated controls on either side – on the left for the MBUX multimedia system, and on the right to access the central TFT display. There are small touchpads that allow the driver to swipe between and select menu items, plus switches for the audio and (adaptive) cruise control. It's all very slick and intuitive.

This particular van has the standard MBUX system with 7.0-inch touchscreen and no factory satellite navigation; an optional 10.25-inch display is also available ($1760), and comes with sat-nav.

Powering the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 416 is the brand's OM651 four-cylinder twin-turbo-diesel. Good for a claimed 120kW at 3800rpm and 360Nm at 1400-2400rpm, drive is fed to the rear wheels via a 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission.

It's a robust and torquey unit, with good urge on tap from around 1500 all the way to 4000rpm. Acceleration from a standing start is actually quite brisk and there's sufficient poke for safe open-road overtaking – at least with four on board.

At 100km/h in seventh gear the engine is spinning at 2000rpm. Redline is indicated at 4250rpm, but there's no need to rev this relaxed engine – it's entirely happy loping along in its midrange.

The seven-speed auto is smooth, precise, and adept at selecting the appropriate ratio for any given scenario. There's also a manual mode and paddle shifters, for those seeking that greater level of control.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 416 excels in terms of NVH (noise, vibration and harshness). Noise suppression inside the cab is good by commercial vehicle standards – there's a bit of road noise at highway speeds and some engine noise under acceleration, but it's nicely subdued.

There's very little in the way of vibration and for a commercial vehicle, the ride is very refined.

Despite its commercial status, driving the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 416 really is a pleasure.

The vehicle's cabin is underpinned by 'Benz's design DNA, and anyone accustomed to a Mercedes-Benz passenger car will feel right at home.

There's a grab handle next to the quarter glass and a large step to aid cabin ingress, and once behind the wheel it's easy to find a suitable driving position.

Vision is good, with reasonably narrow A-pillars, an expansive windscreen and high seating affording an excellent view ahead, aided by clear and distortion-free standard/spot side mirrors.

The smart leather-wrap steering wheel feels luxurious and the steering column is adjustable for tilt and reach. The optional suspension seat, meanwhile, has adjustable spring damping, electronic lumbar support and an adjustable armrest.

It's cloth upholstery throughout, but it's attractive and appears to be of a high quality. Meanwhile the sturdy synthetic flooring is easy to clean and should prove hard-wearing.

The Sprinter Transfer’s cab is the usual expanse of dark plastics you'd expect in an LCV, but the quality of the fit and finish is excellent, with uniform and tight panel tolerances throughout. Add in the TFT display and the MBUX system, and it's a thoroughly modern, attractive and functional cockpit.

The layout of all the various controls is logical and most things are within easy reach; the exception being the temperature switch for the climate control. It's a bit of a stretch away, as is the button to switch between the front air-con and the rear, roof-mounted air-con (both of which are highly effective).

Passenger comfort is also well addressed. Granted, with a seat width of 420mm you wouldn't want to be carting around sumo wrestlers, but the seating is comfortable enough and there's plenty of leg room. And with a ceiling height of 1930mm (a little less under the roof-mounted air-con), there's full standing room for most.

Driving the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 416 couldn't be easier. The steering ratio is short, at three turns lock to lock, and only a light touch is required at the wheel.

Mercedes-Benz quotes a turning circle of 13.4 metres, and the 360-degree camera makes parking and manoeuvring simple.

The vehicle has a live axle with leaf spring/shock arrangement at the rear and shocks up front, and the ride is compliant by LCV standards.

There's some body roll through the bends but nothing untoward. At the sedate speeds at which this vehicle will be transporting passengers, it's really a pretty tidy package, while the nicely modulated brakes further enhance passenger comfort.

And then there are all the niceties to help take the strain out of the driving task. The adaptive cruise is unobtrusive in its operation and features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and dynamic lane keeping combine to form a reassuring electronic safety net.

As for gripes, the Sprinter Transfer adopts a drive selector stalk at the right-hand side of the steering column. It's common across many modern Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and LCVs, but if you're more accustomed to a right-hand indicator stalk it's possible to accidently select neutral instead of indicating left.

The issue fades with familiarity, no doubt, but could prove irritating if drivers swap regularly across several different vehicle makes.

For an off-the-shelf, ready-to-go minibus, there's a lot to like about the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 416.

Buyers should rightfully expect a lot for a six-figure price tag, but this option-laden flagship model delivers.

It's classy, comfortable, refined and well-equipped. For businesses with a healthy budget, and who need to transport people in safety and style, this Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 416 covers all the bases.

How much does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 416 cost?
Price: From $87,926 (plus ORC); $100,269 (plus ORC) as tested
Available: Now
Engine: 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 120kW/360Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel: N/A
CO2: N/A
Safety rating: N/A