Ford Transit AWD vs Mercedes Sprinter 4x4 | Why We Bought a Transit Camper Van

This was bar none the best comparison I've seen, I had many diesels and of course I like them , but the initial cost is more, maintenance is more and honestly it was nice when pulling my trailer but I would go gas if no towing, and the 4x4 I've had many but with a van and mostly hwy miles and not heavy duty 4wd plans Iand fuel mileage I like the awd, yes I agree the sprinter looks better but im over it and I will save at least 50 k with the Ford enuf said

VW all day long for me.

I have the sprinter. true 4x4. Thank you for really researching. I do a lot of overlanding and off roading. I have the struts and 4.3 van compass suspension. It was a must to make the vehicle drive well not just off road but on freeway driving. I found the 4x4 sprinter is unremarkable for off road beyond just groomed fire roads. Prior to my sprinter I had a F150 with same motor as your ford and loved the power. You are so right on that it is actually up to you. I do all my own service, but I am not going to lie. Mercedes has made it very difficult for one to do service by design, but with research and some mechanical skills it is not hard to do an A service or B service yourself. Thanks again for the video.

I owned a 2006 Sprinter Van in the US. It is nearly impossible to find someone other than the dealership to work on those things and even they will have a month wait and charge insane prices. In the end I learned how to do just about everything to repair it out of necessity. So unless you plan on working on it yourself all the time in the US buy a transit.

The sprinter definitely had a def problem. That's why its loosing power

Great video and review.

The Transit is now available with a split screen 360 view camera system and push button start as well. If it is the same system that is in my F-150, it works very, very well.

I would never drive a petrol overlander, also not a Transit, also available in Europe as 2l Diesel w/ automatic transmission.
First is size, and then, most importantly, the Sprinter can be had, not cheap, with a transfer case and 3 diff-locks by the Austrian companies Achleitner/Oberaigner.
There is even a 6x6 upgrade possible.
Travelling outside US, in Asia, Africa or Latin America, Mercedes is just #1, worldwide.
And for theh Sprinter, there is so much accessory material availble, and Merc vs Ford....? Build quaitly matters mcuh, is I look at 20 yr old Transits vs Sprinter, you see the diff.
If I were again in the US, I would get a F-250 6.7 powerstroke, with a Cabin.

Thanks Joe!!!! Im trying to decide between the transit 3.5L EcoBoost V6 gas VS the 2.0 turbo diesel for my winnebago ekko. It weighs 11k pounds and im worried the MB sprinter wont have the balls to get me around the country. And of course there is the whole maintenance cost dilemma!!! Thoughts??

Guys come on!! the whole van community knows really well sprinter vans are capable to run million miles! Just do proper EGR delete and no more emissions issues. Diesel. Good torque at low RPM. Easy to work on. Very good fuel economy (especially after egr delete).

I’d choose the Ford with the more powerful engine. I had a SUV that was low on horsepower and torque, it struggled going up hills, keeping up with traffic and passing other vehicles. Never again would I buy any vehicle low on torque and horsepower.

I want to know how to rent a B class to try it out, also a way to buy used B class set up.

Picking a MB dealer over Ford? Good luck with that pure misery. Guy says he picks MB for the stance? Give it up

i hear turbo i ran far away.

Great REVIEW!!!

Thanks. Actually shopping and it’s down to these two OEMs.

This is a really good comparison with one glaring omission. You did not compare price. Major fail.

I owned the sprinter and loved it…next van I get will be a Transit.

The first thing I look to see, and the single most important thing for me, is "what does the interior look like." That said, it is often nearly impossible to tell. Speaking in generalities, the men don't care. Speaking in generalities, the women do. And generally speaking, it is the women that decide. Give us some clean interior pans, please. : )

My brother's company used to use sprinters as work vehicles but they switched over to transit due to repair cost. They're a multi billion dollar company

I like the RAM Promaster's interior the most, but according to many, it drives like a brick on wheels. I didn't know the same sized vehicles can feel so different to drive.

Senceless video.

If you prefer gas motor ....why do you compare it with a Diesel.
The result is clear.

A diesel engine will last much longer than a gas engine.

And "the way I drive"...means nothing in a competition.
Diesel has 20 % more energy...per gallon.
So a diesel engine needs less.....

If you compare any camper with your favorite..the result is clear.
Otherwise you would admit...that your pick was wrong.

Why can't people change their own oil? Why always have to get ripped off in the dealer.

Very informative and helpful. Being 6'1", I don't like the lower entry, but I will like the higher interior. This was great to learn. I also appreciate the driving and acceleration information. I've never been a fan of Ford seats so might have to mimic your move and put in some nicer aftermarket. Thanks for making this video.

Thank You Russos for the great information, very helpful.

I drive big rigs.
I have driven Ford, Dodge, MB vans, as well.
Ford is the best: stable, reliable, good performance. Dodge has a good engine.
Mercedes vulnerable to rust.

How much?

Sprinter Maintenance far more expensive go with the Ford

The Maintenance Cost on the Sprinter scares me

Thanks

A Dodge Promaster is better than either.

What is your occc on the storyteller without anything you added?

I would take the gas 3.5 Transit! I have more Ford Dealers throughout the USA, and can adjust the weight to share my grand kids into the the Class B Plus! I am driving my 2015 Ford Expedition with my 3.5 Turbo Charged Engine! Well, I have had a few issues in my 10 years of ownership, however, I bought a extended warranty for up to December 2025, or 100,000 miles before it ends!

I think if you could get a better Engine for the Merc, I would go that way for the height and the better overall design. But with that terrible diesel it has, the ford is much better and more practical

Great review! Probably one of the best unbiased reviews. I recently purchased a Revel and am loving it. Like you had mentioned, selection is subjective. Right out of the dealer I went to Owl Vans and had a suspension kit and extended fuel tank installed. Definitely a must have. It’s new so no issues. I like the engineering behind the Sprinter, it’s a Mercedes, it’s different and very appealing!

The Ford pisses all over the Merc.

I found the Ford Transit 250 cargo van of my dreams! UNFORTUNATELY HOWEVER, SANTA CLAUSE SAID HE DOES NOT DELIVER, GET IT YOURSELF - bummmmer!

I have a 2020 Sprinter w/ transfer case. It is AWD, not 4WD!!

Change your own oil, 🫵🏻 that is what a real man does.

As a professional driver of commercial trucks, I am always home where ever I may find myself.
So when I may be on a vacation, in my "recreational vehicle" and it needs basic maintenance. I make it happen, with a little fore planning and good preparation the chore is easily accomplished and preformed correctly.
As opposed to paying someone who may or may not be a professional in his occupation.
Those commercially done oil changes are frequently done by the most underpaid and newest fellow in the shop.
Oil changes must be preformed correctly, the consequences of bad skills, parts or procedures could spell disaster for your vehicles engine.

DEF once every couple months isnt really that hard to do,

I over a 2023 Mercedes Sprinter 2500 AWD diesel and you would think they would have improved the power by now but I had the same problem going up the mountain, no power and I had the diesel pedal all the way to the floor. I thought something was wrong with the van because it was so slow but I do love my Sprinter with all its other features like the automatic dinner lights and windshield wipers. I’m spoiled now so I couldn’t give it up for more power 🙂.

Hi there, could i know which exactly model are both of them?… because i am looking to buy a Van and making it like a camper van. Thank you

Great balanced review. Not sure you mentioned a purchase price. My old (2006 View) and much larger Sprinter gets 16-17mpg on diesel. Oil changes are about $90 from independents. And it doesn't use DEF. But if I had to buy a new one, I'd opt for the Ford also. Alas, my wife won't let me downsize. And I wouldn't to spend the $220k they're asking price for some of the new ones.

I love everything about the sprinter except the power and the upkeep challenges. Thanks so much for the comparison.

I'LL GET IN AN OIL CHANGE JUST GO TO GREASE MONKEY GREASE MONKEY GREASE MONKEY

IS THERE ANY DUAL TURBOCHARGED ENGINE IS NOT GOING TO LAST AS LONG AS NATURALLY ASPECT ENG
AND YOU BETTER DO AN OIL CHANGE ON IT NO MORE THAN EVERY 3,000 MI ARE YOU GOING TO BE BUYING A NEW TURBO OR BOTH OF THEM

YOU SHOULD EXPLAIN THAT MODERN DIESELS ARE GARBAGE NOW COMPARED TO THE OLD ONES BECAUSE THEY LITERALLY PUMP ALL THEIR EXHAUST RIGHT BACK INTO THE ENGINE SO THERE IT GOES DIESEL DEPENDABILITY THERE IS NO DEPENDABILITY IT'LL HAVE THE SAME LIFE EXPECTANCY OR LESS THAN MOST GAS ENGINES EXCEPT DUAL DUAL TURBOCHARGED THAT'S LIKE A RACING ENGINE YOU KNOW RACING ENGINES ARE BUILT REBUILT AFTER EVERY RACE SO I WOULD SAY YOU'RE NOT PROBABLY GOING TO GET

Excellent real world comparison of the two vans! I would and will choose the Ford 💯. Thank you and see you down here road🙏🏼🇺🇸