Vehicle: 2011 Mercedes Sprinter cargo van
Price as tested: CDN$42900
Interior: Here in Directshift, we always view things in different perspective. Subject to this test drive, we are bringing you something completely different from the norm. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter! 
When it comes to interior refinement, Sprinter’s use of materials and fit-and-finish are definitely up to the high standard one expects from tri-star manufacturer. Even though it is a completely utilitarian cargo van, 15-passenger van or cab chassis on whatever you can purchase from the same Mercedes dealership as you bought your SLS AMG. In front, Sprinter’s ergonomics is both user-friendly and initutive, with automatic shifter placed on top of dashboard as a perfect location. Driving position is easily found with multi-adjustable velour seat for driver. In terms of seating comfort, its about as firm as anything we have used from Teutonic execution. The rest of the interior has been extremely well layout, without any gimmicks as we usually seen from Mercedes passenger cars. Both dashboard plastic and seat upholstery have finished in a classy fashion when compares to its more utilitarian-driven rivals. All the climate control and stereo are very initutive and easy to figure out. There are plenty of compartments for those who use it as a workhorse. While it drives like a van, which Sprinter really does. Its actual quality feels more civilized than many of its competitions.
Open the wide tailigates, which are allowed to open a full 90 degrees, for complete cargo loading. You are entering a luggage space, which should be the largest we have ever reviewed in Directshift. With up to 600 cubic feet of cargo space, its able to eat more than double of what our favourite Ford Transit Connect and VW Caddy combined.
Performance: As a true workhorse, its nothing with the right amount of grunt. The Sprinter delivers with Mercedes’s exceptional Bluetec diesel technology. In Sprinter’s case, its a 3.0 liter V6 with up to 188hp. And most importantly, 325 lb/ft of torque to move this beast around with authority. The standard 5-speed automatic works like a rare harmony with this motor. That’s even if it has to carry 2920 lb of weight with all the heavy cargos inside the tailgate. Mesh the throttle, Sprinter takes off without any hestiation. Throttle response is crisp and linear, while gearbox has been tuned to more of a higher gear ratio for top 6th and very low for both 1st to 2nd, for spirited launch. Even if its a commercial vehicle, the engine refinement is world-class.
Handling: While no one would expect Sprinter to handle like an SLK through corners. The amount of active safety feature certainly keeps those who are working with Sprinter in check. The ESP acts as a superb safety feature for the driver starts to drift Sprinter out of the line. Its an advanced system, given its commercial vehicle standard. There are tons of body rolls with terminal understeer with pushed. Steering feels progressive with the usual Mercedes dead off-center feel during turn-in. Ride quality, however, exceeds given its basic truck underpinnings. The ride feels expensive and luxurious, without feeling harsh and ungainly.
Conclusion: The Sprinter originally started live in North America, as a Dodge. After the wrong love affair between Daimler and Chrysler was over, Sprinter is back to wearing the Mercedes emblem this year. Either way, Sprinter is truly an MPV or Multi-Purpose Vehicle. It works as fine as a 15-passenger van or as a cargo van. Either way, it combines a nice blend of utility and quality.
Competitions:
Chevrolet Express/GMC Savanna
Ford E-Series
Nissan NV
OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2011 Mercedes Sprinter cargo van
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 3/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 4/5
Overall rating: 4/5