Review: An in-depth look at the 2026 Mercedes Sprinter 2500
I jump at any opportunity to review a work van. Unlike a pickup truck, which, let’s face it, most owners use to commute to and from work rather than using for work, the cargo van can’t be mistaken for anything but work.
Maybe that’s why I enjoy reviewing them so much. As a trucking and work truck industry journalist, my job isn’t behind the wheel—it’s usually behind a desk. Yet for the week I get to drive these work machines, I actually get a taste of what our readers experience every day.
But with the 2026 Mercedes Sprinter 2500, I felt less like an industry employee and more like an industry boss. The vehicle was capable, the diesel engine was quiet, and the infotainment user interface was by far the best I’d seen in a work vehicle. Let’s get into it.
Sprinter power: a high-output 2L turbo diesel
When the media vehicle loan folks reached out to me about reviewing a Mercedes Sprinter, I asked no questions. I immediately said yes and waited for the keys. When I got the keys, I hopped right in and took off without even checking the Monroney label. I didn’t know what engine powered the van, I didn’t know what model year it was, and, honestly, I didn’t even know where I was going.
During my spin around the block, I didn’t notice a loud engine, and I didn’t notice any fuel smells. I was too focused on the smooth ride, the in-cab tech, and getting an overall feel of the vehicle.
My passenger (the hubs) had to ask what engine powered the van for the thought to occur to me, as I was fully taken in with the infotainment system and the ride at that point. “Check the glovebox for the Monroney label,” I told/asked him.
“It’s a diesel,” he said. “A 4-cylinder hoe!”
“A hoe?” I asked
“Yes. H.O.,” he confirmed.
Of course, we would learn that H.O. stands for “high output,” as this 2500 Sprinter was powered by a 2L high-output diesel engine that offers 211 hp and 332 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is mated with a 9-speed transmission and features an all-wheel drive configuration.
The van can accommodate a payload of 4,134 lb., a maximum 5,000 lb. towing capacity, and a maximum GCWR of 13,930 lb.
The sprint
Aside from the usual trips around town, I wanted to take the Sprinter on a drive over the weekend. I decided to drive about an hour away to a suburb of Ann Arbor, Michigan. This drive allowed me to experience the Sprinter’s handling and capabilities on the interstate, on rural roads, and through small town streets.
The turbodiesel ensures this Sprinter never lags. We were keeping up with the best of them on the highway without putting any strain on the engine, even with the high roof and high ground clearance cutting into the van’s aerodynamics.
Our van featured a 144-in. wheelbase, and its cargo area, which wasn't accessible from the cockpit because of a full-length partition, accommodated 374 cu. ft. The cargo area of this van was bare bones: no shelving, no interior wall covering. Further, we drove the van with the cargo area completely empty. I will say that, like most work vehicles, I assume it’s spec’d to perform better when loaded. While I never felt unsafe or uncomfortable with the vehicle’s suspension or handling while out and about, I did wonder if the vehicle would have handled more “steady” had it been loaded with equipment or even upfits. Regardless, its overall handling and turning radius were impressive.
In town, the Sprinter drove well. While its high roof made me think twice about driving down streets with low branches, I didn’t feel that my journey was restricted by either the vehicle’s height or its length.
Sprinter technology: The star of the show
As a member of the working class, I’ll be the first to say that I’m not sure I’ve ever driven a Mercedes. That’s why when I first discovered the steering wheel’s soft-touch features that control audio, phone controls, and the infotainment system, I was absolutely blown away.
To operate functions like turning the volume up and down or scrolling through infotainment features such as navigation and music, drivers simply slide their thumb across the steering wheel’s soft touch buttons. While it takes some getting used to, I enjoyed a sense of control I’ve never felt from a steering wheel.
Essentially, this feature allows the driver to command the whole cockpit from the steering wheel, which has multiple benefits for the commercial driver. First, once the driver is familiar with the controls, it allows them to keep their eyes on the road. That is likely the best safety benefit. Second, it allows the driver to keep their hands on the steering wheel without reaching across the infotainment center to click a button.
While the soft touch features might have impressed me, the Sprinter delivers even for drivers who prefer buttons. And having all the controls on the steering wheel doesn’t mean drivers don’t have the same infotainment controls they’re used to having in other vehicles. The 10.25-in. touchscreen allows drivers to access infotainment features easily, and physical buttons below the screen allow for quick access to the navigation system, phone controls, camera views around the vehicle, music, and more.
Further, climate controls feature physical buttons and levers and are within easy reach below the infotainment screen. This Sprinter also featured a heated steering wheel and heated seats.
Additional tech features included a rear-view mirror camera and advanced safety features. Automatic emergency braking is a standard feature on the Mercedes vans, but this Sprinter was also equipped with lane keeping assist, blind spot assist, 360-degree camera, traffic sign assist, driver attention assist, and more.
Overall impressions of the Mercedes Sprinter
The 2026 Mercedes Sprinter 2500 cargo van was enjoyable to drive—and, aside from capability, can you ask for anything better from a work vehicle? While it was long and tall, its maneuverability made it a breeze to drive along all types of roads and through city streets. Its high-output engine keeps you ahead of the traffic, and its 374 cu. ft. of cargo space was a blank canvas ready for upfits.
The Sprinter was a more premium ride than I typically review. The high ground clearance and the creature comforts made this feel more like a van an adventurous couple would transform into an RV rather than something a technician would upfit with shelving for tools and space for equipment. (I even tossed around the idea of taking the van to the Lake Michigan dunes like I did with this truck.) However, I believe any technician or delivery driver would feel the ultimate appreciation if given the keys to this luxurious machine.
About the Author
Jade Brasher
Executive Editor Jade Brasher has covered vocational trucking and fleets since 2018. A graduate of The University of Alabama with a degree in journalism, Jade enjoys telling stories about the people behind the wheel and the intricate processes of the ever-evolving trucking industry.