It’s not often that I get to review something very different. The 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter is one of those oddities that you see everywhere on the roads but only a few have driven. So what is it like to drive an electric van?
Performance
Motor – The Mercedes eSprinter is available with two different power outputs. Both variants power the rear wheels only and the electric motor produces 134 hp or 201 hp (100 kW or 150 kW). Both versions produce the same torque at 295 lb-ft (400 Nm). This demo van has the more powerful motor but don’t expect the same snappy acceleration that you’d experience in a car like the Hyundai Kona Electric. The tuning of the motor and accelerator pedal are such that the power gradually builds up to maximum as you put your foot on the accelerator pedal. Perhaps Mercedes tuned it like this to prevent items in the cargo area from toppling over under hard acceleration. Additionally, the van has a maximum top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).
The van has a few different drive modes to choose from; Comfort, Eco, and Maximum Range. By default, it’ll start in the Comfort mode with full power and full climate control use available. Eco and Maximum range further reduce the maximum power output and climate control usage for improved driving range.
Battery & Charging – Whether it’s with the standard output or the higher output motor, the eSprinter uses a 113 kWh battery pack. Mercedes-Benz claims an estimated range of 331 km (206 miles). However, this number can greatly fluctuate based on a few different factors such as how much weight the van is carrying, your driving style, and the ambient weather among many others. Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to load up the van and with my lighter throttle applications, the eSprinter would estimate a range of over 400 km (248 miles) with a full charge. My average consumption for the week with the van was 27 kWh/100km (2.3 mi/kWh).
The eSprinter can be recharged at a rate of up to 50 kW or 115 kW with the Navigation Charging Package. At the maximum charge rate, 10% to 80% can be achieved in about 40 minutes while the same state of charge from a 50 Kw charger will take approximately 90 minutes. From a level 2, 9.6 kW charger, 10 % to 100% is said to take 12.5 hours.
Braking – Like all other EVs, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter utilizes regenerative braking to scrub off speed in addition to the physical disc brakes. It does not have a one-pedal mode but the highest level of regen braking can provide a similar effect. It’s the last 10 km/h or so that require you to put your foot on the brake pedal and bring the van to a complete stop. The van also has an Auto regen mode which will vary the amount of force based on a few different variables such as the terrain and what the vehicle ahead is doing. If you’re going down a hill, it will apply more force. If the vehicle ahead is maintaining a constant speed, it will not provide any regen force. As for the brakes themselves, they feel strong enough to stop the 3,060 kg (6,746 lbs) weight of the van, when it is unloaded. But the brake pedal is typical Mercedes-Benz, as in, it feels way too light for the first 10-15% of applying your foot on it. Only after which does it feel firmer under your right foot.
Handling – At the end of the day, this is a van so it’s not the first word in driving enjoyment. Having said that, it is remarkably easy to drive. Unladen, it almost feels like a high riding minivan. Yes, it is very big so it requires slightly wider turns than a normal minivan. It has a wide turning radius but it’s not so wide that you have to perform a 3-point turn everywhere it goes. Also, it takes up a lot of space in parking lots. But despite its size, the heft of the battery pack in the floor makes the van stable through turns and doesn’t feel as though it’ll tip over. One thing that did catch me a bit off guard was a strong crosswind on highways. It required a bit of steering input to keep the van in a straight line. But otherwise, the eSprinter is an easy drive.
Capability – Unlike the diesel powered variants, the 2024 eSprinter cannot carry or tow as much cargo. It is rated for 2,624 lbs of payload and 4,277 lbs of towing. The diesel variant can carry from 3,450 lbs to 6,382 lbs with the same wheelbase & high roof configuration as this eSprinter. It can also tow up to 7,500 lbs.
For the 2024 model year, the eSprinter is only available with a wheelbase of 170” and the high roof option. This provides 13,819 L (488 cu-ft) of cargo volume. For 2025, the eSprinter will be available in a shorter 144” wheelbase with a standard height roof. The rear doors can open 270 degrees and you can customize your own eSprinter to have one side sliding door or two, or none. There are also many customization options for the interior as well, too many to list.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – With the heavy battery pack weighing down the eSprinter, it aids in providing a smooth ride. Small bumps are easily absorbed by the suspension with only bigger bumps making for a slightly rougher ride. Interestingly, the rear axle is supported by composite leaf springs.
Interior Space – Of course in the back cargo area, there is enough space for a 6’4” individual like myself to stand up straight or even put a bed and sleep. But it’s fairly commodious in the front as well. The front seats have enough adjustments for both tall and shorter individuals but there are only two seats. In between them is an open space with enough headroom for someone under 6’ to stand up straight. The seating position is very high, higher than in some pickup trucks. This provides very good visibility out the front and side. But there is no visibility out the back, unless the eSprinter is optioned with the rear camera mirror, and the blind zones are large. However, the eSprinter has two types of exterior mirrors, one standard and one convex, and it can be optioned with blind spot sensors.
There are also a lot of smaller compartments throughout the front area for small items. There are two bins above the windshield visors, there are three compartments on top of the dashboard, there’s a small storage bin under the passenger side airbag, and the door panels have two large bins each. Also, under the hood, there is no extra storage compartment.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – With this being an electric vehicle, there is no powertrain noise associated with it. There is some wind and tire noise on highways but it’s not overly intrusive into the cabin.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – The 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter starts at $97,990 CAD ($67,890 USD). With the higher output motor and a few convenience packages, this demo van had an as-tested price of $114,729 CAD ($88,725 USD). In some markets, the eSprinter is eligible for government rebates.
Gadgets – The eSprinter may be a Mercedes-Benz product but don’t expect the same level of convenience features as in a CLE 300 Cabriolet for example. Having said that, it does come with heated, power & memory seats, a heated steering wheel, leatherette upholstery, A/C, power windows & mirrors, push button start, keyless entry, the aforementioned rear camera mirror, built-in navigation system, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, wireless phone charging pad, and a backup camera.
The infotainment system is the latest iteration of MBUX that is offered in their cars & SUVs. It’s not displayed on a large tablet style screen like in an E-class but the 10.25” touchscreen in the eSprinter is just fine. The system has “Hey Mercedes” capability which allows for natural commands to be given to the system to set a navigation destination or phone/text message someone.
Interior Design – For the most part, the interior is reminiscent of a Mercedes-Benz vehicle. The 2024 eSprinter has the same steering wheel as some other Mercedes Cars & SUVs with the capacitive touch controls on it which I hate. Some functions require swipes instead of clicks in order to change a setting but sometimes, the finger swipe doesn’t get registered and it becomes frustrating. The air vents are also out of some other Mercedes vehicles as are some of the climate controls. The cabin does feel a bit more utilitarian with all the black plastics and piano gloss plastic around the infotainment screen but at the end of the day, this is a van and not a luxury SUV.
Exterior Design – The eSprinter is not a hard van to miss given its size. But some, my friends included, may overlook it in a parking lot because…. it’s a van. Between this and the diesel version, the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter doesn’t look any different. It has the same grille with the charging plug in the Mercedes-Benz logo, it has the same LED headlights, and the same taillamps.
Safety – The 2024 Mercedes eSprinter does not come as well equipped as other Mercedes-Benz vehicles when it comes to standard or available safety & driver aids. It has active brake assist, blind spot sensors, a rear camera mirror, available lane keeping system, hill-start assist, and emergency call system. The availability and options of these features differ between the Canadian and American versions of this van.
Warranty – The 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter is covered by a 3 year / 60,000 km new vehicle warranty, a 5 year / 100,000 km powertrain warranty and the battery is covered by an 8 year / 160,000 km warranty. For more information on Canadian warranty, click here. For information on American warranty, click here.
Conclusion – The Mercedes-Benz eSprinter may not be for every company & business owner. It has less payload & towing capabilities, fewer body configurations, no AWD option, and is more expensive than the diesel versions. But work vans like this one are meant to be driven for hundreds of thousands of kilometers. So in a short amount of time, the extra cost of this eSprinter will be made up in fuel savings over the diesel version as well as the cost of installing a few chargers near your business. So it’ll come down to how much payload and towing you require for your business.
Thank you to Mercedes-Benz Canada for providing the vehicle. www.Mercedes-Benz-Vans.ca
2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter Gallery
