The full-size van is one of the most versatile vehicles on the road. It can carry cargo or passengers or set up as a mobile workshop, delivery vehicle, or even a Class B RV. As one of the most popular options on the market, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has seen brisk sales over the last few years. For 2024, the company hopes to add to this van's popularity by introducing the all-electric eSprinter.
Photo: Perry Stern
Although it looks quite familiar, the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter is an all-new model for 2024. Delivering almost the same versatility and capability as its diesel-powered siblings, the eSprinter adds the efficiency and zero-emission qualities of a fully electric powertrain.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter is available exclusively as a tall-roof cargo van in a single trim level with a standard or high-output motor option. Starting prices range from the mid-to-high $70,000s, including the destination charge.
For this review of the 2024 eSprinter, Mercedes-Benz provided a test vehicle equipped with the high-output motor and the following options:
The test vehicle's price was $89,958, including the $2,295 destination charge to ship the van from the North Charleston, South Carolina, assembly plant to your local dealership.
Photo: Perry Stern
Getting into the front seating area of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter requires a bit of a climb, but the step built into the door sill makes entry relatively easy. As a cargo van, the cabin has seating for just two, with an optional divider that blocks off the cargo area.
While the materials are primarily hard plastic, the eSprinter's cabin still manages to have a high-quality feel. This is mainly due to the 10.25-inch display screen with a piano-black surround and large round air vents, similar to those in a Mercedes luxury sedan.
My test vehicle had the optional synthetic leather trim on the big bucket seats, furthering the premium look. The seats offer good support and comfort, and while the adjustments are manual, I could easily get into a proper driving position. Sitting up high with the expansive windshield, the driver has an outstanding view of the road ahead.
While the eSprinter offers a touchscreen interface, it hasn't eliminated the physical controls. Below the screen are shortcut buttons, a volume toggle switch, and a separate unit lower on the dashboard containing all the climate functions with easy-to-use controls.
As a cargo van, most of the room for hauling is in the back. However, the eSprinter has plenty of space for storing smaller items in the passenger area. One thing is sure: nobody will go thirsty in the eSprinter, which boasts eight cupholders for its two passengers—four in the middle of the lower dashboard, the others uniquely placed on top. Each set of upper cupholders also has a storage tray, and a covered storage bin is in the middle of the upper dashboard.
There's also a shelf in place of the typical glove box, with additional shelves above each sun visor. The ample space between the seats can easily hold a toolbox, bag, or even a few bags of groceries. This area would be ideal for a covered storage bin—perhaps a feature on future eSprinters.
Ultimately, when it comes to storage, few vehicles on the road can match the cargo-carrying capability of the eSprinter. Entry to the cargo area is via either the two doors at the rear or the large sliding door on the passenger side. Both openings have steps, making it easy to climb into the van. The rear doors can open to the standard 90 degrees or extend to a full 270 degrees for easier access to the cargo space.
Once inside, most adults will have no problem standing up as it is 79.1 inches from floor to ceiling. While the available 488 cubic feet of space matches that of the diesel-powered Sprinter vans, the eSprinter must also haul its batteries, so the max cargo weight is 2,624 pounds compared to the 3,814 pounds that the diesel Sprinter can handle.
Photo: Perry Stern
My 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter test vehicle came with the latest MBUX infotainment system. With its stylish 10.25-inch touchscreen display, the high-end system seems out of place on a cargo van, but it is a nice touch. One of the more intuitive systems available, the MBUX system includes:
The system uses large icons for straightforward navigation that are swipeable to the left or right. A link back to the Home screen remains static in the top left corner, and additional hard buttons below the screen allow quick access to navigation, audio, communication, vehicle controls, a redundant Home button, and a volume control switch.
Connecting my Samsung Galaxy S23+ via Bluetooth was quick and painless, and Android Auto immediately launched. A shortcut to Android Auto remains at the top of the screen, and when it is in operation, the phone integration utilizes the entire display.
While the touchscreen works exceptionally well to navigate the infotainment system, the eSprinter also features the Mercedes voice interface. To activate, say, "Hey, Mercedes," and it will kindly ask, "How can I help you?" With its natural-voice recognition, it responds to direct requests like "set temperature to 72 degrees." Or, if you say, "I'm cold," it will automatically raise the cabin temperature by a few degrees.
I also used the voice system to find the closest electric-vehicle (EV) charger. After I asked, the system brought up a list of options. Once I chose one, the navigation system set it as my destination.
Photo: Perry Stern
A permanent magnet synchronous motor (PSM) powering the rear wheels motivates the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter. My test vehicle had the high-output version, which delivers 204 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Currently, the eSprinter is available exclusively with rear-wheel drive, but it wouldn't be surprising if Mercedes-Benz eventually offers it with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system.
While Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel-economy estimates for the eSprinter are unavailable, Mercedes estimates that the electric van, with its 113-kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-iron phosphate battery, has a driving range of 273 miles.
During my time in the eSprinter, the trip computer indicated a range of 185 miles with 82-percent charge, which computes to about 225 miles of range. That's less than Mercedes’ estimate but still reasonably good for a large cargo van with a 400-pound crate in the cargo area. The trip computer indicated 2.2 miles/kWh or 74 MPGe.
Many EVs on the market—even larger trucks—boast extreme acceleration. While the eSprinter is not a hot rod, power delivery is smooth and quiet, making the big van quite pleasant to drive. Whether driving around town or cruising on the highway, I never felt the eSprinter was underpowered.
While the van is quite large, it is surprisingly easy to drive. Sitting up high with the large windshield and oversized side-view mirrors, I had a commanding view of the road.
The rearview camera mirror also helps a great deal to keep track of vehicles behind. My test vehicle featured a divider between the passenger cabin and cargo area, so the digital mirror was the only solution to see directly behind while driving. A standard rear camera provides an additional view with helpful gridlines when reversing in the eSprinter.
Even with the cameras, parking can be a challenge, not so much from lack of visibility, but at more than 23 feet long, the eSprinter doesn't fit well in the typical parking space. While I received no complaints from other motorists, the van stuck into the travel lane while parked at the EV charger. Conveniently, Mercedes-Benz places the charge port at the front of the vehicle (the large Mercedes-Benz star in the grille is the port cover), so it's easy to reach from most chargers.
Overall, the eSprinter drives much better than expected. With the batteries mounted below the floor, the center of gravity is low, aiding overall handling. There's virtually no body lean when turning corners or going around curves, and the ride is quite comfortable, even when the road surface is less than stellar.
The eSprinter has no issues getting up to highway speed. However, at 70 mph, the big van buffets quite a bit, and while it is manageable, it borders on being uncomfortable. According to Mercedes, the eSprinter's top speed is 75 mph—faster than I would want to go in a vehicle this size.
Photo: Perry Stern
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter has limited advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), certainly not at the level of a typical Mercedes passenger vehicle. Standard eSprinter ADAS include:
The eSprinter does have cruise control, but it is not adaptive. While it also has a rearview camera mirror and a rear camera, with its size and limited rear visibility, rear cross-traffic warning would have been a nice feature to include.
Photo: Perry Stern
The eSprinter’s cargo area is massive. It’s able to hold up to 488 cubic feet of cargo. With a ceiling height of 79.1 inches, even wearing work boots, most adults can easily stand up straight in the van, making it easier to load or access the cargo. Tiedowns integrated into the floor help secure oversized cargo, and there's ample lighting for the whole area.
As a commercial van, the eSprinter does not have an EPA rating, and neither does the non-electric Sprinter. That said, Mercedes-Benz estimates that the eSprinter's 113-kWh battery provides an estimated range of 273 miles.
I did not have the opportunity to charge the eSprinter fully. However, with an 82-percent charge, the range showed 185 miles. Extrapolating to 100 percent would deliver a theoretical range of around 225 miles—not quite as high as Mercedes’ estimate, but still pretty good for such a large, boxy vehicle. As another efficiency measure, the trip computer indicated my drive consumption at 2.2 miles/kWh or 74 MPGe.
At the time of writing, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has tested the crashworthiness of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter is available in a single trim level: a high-roof cargo van. Its base price is around $70,000. The available high-output motor adds $3,430. There’s an additional destination charge of $2,295.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter competes against other electrified full-size cargo vans, including the Chevrolet Express, Ford E-Transit, and Ram ProMaster.
Photo: Perry Stern
An electric drivetrain for the Sprinter cargo van makes great sense. The eSprinter delivers a smooth, comfortable drive and provides cavernous cargo-carrying capability with excellent efficiency and the low maintenance costs associated with an EV.
In addition to its clean-running EV characteristics, Mercedes-Benz elevates the eSprinter above the typical cargo van with a premium cabin, high-tech features, and excellent (for a large van) driving characteristics. Whether carrying cargo, outfitted as a mobile workshop, or set up as a Class B RV, the electric eSprinter is a superb platform.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving almost every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for jdpower.com. Recently relocated to southeast Michigan, Perry is still crazy about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
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