Best Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vans for Delivery, Courier & Last-Mile Businesses
Whether you’re working with a global logistics company on last-mile deliveries or a florist that needs to get around Columbus quickly without disturbing delicate arrangements, you’re going to need a trusted, efficient vehicle to help you get the job done (and, perhaps, several of them). Regardless of your specific situation, there’s no better option than a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van. Built with classic Mercedes-Benz engineering, Sprinters enjoy reliability mile after mile, and delivery after delivery. On top of that, they’re the category leader in underrated, but crucial, areas like driver comfort and branding potential. Read on to learn how a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter can grow your business, and how Mercedes-Benz Van Center Easton can help you get started.
Who Should Buy a Sprinter Van?
Couriers
Get urgent packages delivered quickly
Florists
Secure arrangements and ensure their safe delivery
Caterers
Upfit options ideal for food service
Medical Deliveries
Durability and maneuverability when time is of the essence
Delivery Services
The cargo space and flexibility for packages large and small
Logistics Companies
Whether around the world or around the corner, the capability to handle the last mile
Vans That Deliver
There are tons of reasons why a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter stands alone as the perfect choice for any sort of delivery or courier business. Here are a few of them.
Unmatched Cargo Accessibility
You might think that all vans are pretty similar in terms of access to the cargo area, with a sliding side door and two doors in the back, but that’s incorrect. Mercedes-Benz does everything it can to facilitate loading and unloading with a series of intuitive features, placing it a cut above the competition and making it ideal for any delivery business. For example, those rear doors offer an available modification that allows them to open all the way to the exterior side wall, meaning that they won’t get in the way while trying to get large packages on board. Meanwhile, the side door can be equipped with electric opening and closing capabilities, ideal for hands-free access.
Upfit Flexibility
A Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with a big, open space in the back isn’t ideal for any courier or delivery service — it’s inefficient, with packages stacked on top of each other and buried towards the front of the vehicle. That’s why you’ll want to leave your Sprinter in the hands of a qualified upfitter, who can customize that space with whatever you need to make deliveries quickly and easily. Most often, that means plenty of heavy-duty shelving or organizational tools, but anything that helps your business’ workflow is within an upfitter’s capabilities.
Driver-First Features
Work vans aren’t typically renowned for placing driver comfort and safety front and center, but the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter challenges that assumption with options like heated seats, audio system upgrades, and an overhead control panel. The standard MBUX multimedia system with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and an intelligent voice control system makes communication, navigation, and entertainment a snap, and it’s supplemented by a robust safety package. Among the available assistance features are Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane-Keeping Assist, and a 360-degree camera.
Fuel and Operating Cost Considerations
Though work vans don’t typically publish fuel efficiency numbers, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is widely considered to achieve the best gas mileage in the category. Why is that? Primarily, it’s because Sprinters are equipped with diesel engines, while competitors like the Ford Transit and Ram ProMaster use conventional gasoline in theirs. Diesel, because of its increased energy density, is 20-35 percent more efficient, meaning that your scheduled deliveries will be interrupted by refueling trips less frequently.
Branding
With seven standard colors and 15 premium hues available on most Mercedes-Benz Sprinter models, there’s no better van on the market for effectively branding your business. From the conventional, including Arctic White, Jet Black, and Graphite Grey, to bolder choices like Calcite Yellow, Sunset Red, and Aqua Green, there’s certain to be something that matches your organization’s color palette. From there, of course, a vinyl graphic or vehicle wrap completes the picture and transforms your Sprinter into a rolling advertisement.
Which Sprinter Van is Right for Your Business?
Though most delivery, courier, and last-mile businesses opt for the Sprinter’s 2500 (3,351-4,211 pounds of payload capacity) or 3500 (4,148-4,699 pounds) chassis, there are still several decisions to make concerning its body style and wheelbase length. Here’s a quick look at the options.
| Wheelbase | Roof | Max. Interior Dimensions (L x W x H) | Max. Cargo Volume |
| 144 inches | Standard | 133 x 70 x 68 inches | 319 cubic feet |
| 144 inches | High | 133 x 70 x 79 inches | 374 cubic feet |
| 170 inches | High | 174 x 70 x 79 inches | 488 cubic feet |
| 170 inches extended | High | 189 x 70 x 79 inches | 533 cubic feet |
As you can see, there’s a ton of variation between body styles, with the 170-inch extended wheelbase with a high roof offering 67 percent more cargo space than the 144-inch wheelbase with a standard roof. However, more isn’t necessarily better; more can also be inefficient and cost money. Like any major purchase, you’ll want to thoroughly research your business’ needs and make an honest assessment of anticipated future growth.
Sprinter Wheelbase Length Considerations
- The 144-inch wheelbase is great for urban driving, with its tight turning radii and narrow roads
- The 170-inch wheelbase is the balanced option, including cargo capacity and good handling
- The 170-inch extended wheelbase maximizes cargo volume, but also may prove an issue in tight spaces
Roof Height Considerations
- The standard roof offers adequate space for packages, while keeping overall vehicle height lower for parking garages and other low barriers
- The high roof increases capacity and upfitting options, though at the expense of clearance versatility
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vans in Columbus, OH
Whatever it is you need to deliver, Mercedes-Benz Van Center Easton can help you get it there. Our professional staff has helped every type of delivery service in Columbus and Central Ohio accelerate to the next level, whether it’s with a single Sprinter van or an entire fleet of them. We look forward to assisting you as well, all the way from the first meeting through the upfitting process and beyond. Contact us or stop by our convenient location today to get started!