While most cars, SUVs and minivans last roughly five to six years between generations, full-size utilitarian vans are like those 150-year-old tortoises that live on while the rest of the animal kingdom dies away. When a new van shows up, such as the Dodge Sprinter Van, it's a rare occasion. Although the last-generation Sprinter arrived on this side of the pond in 2007, it had previously been sold around the world as a Mercedes-Benz since 1995.
That vehicle was already a revolutionary step beyond its aged General Motors and Ford competition, and the still-German-built new model increases that disparity even more.
As is the case with other vehicles of its type, the Dodge Sprinter Van is all about utility, interior room and transporting large numbers of passengers or lots of cargo. Like other full-size vans, it's meant for big families or commercial use, and you won't find any power liftgates, "magic" seats or 18 cupholders. However, the Sprinter has some clear advantages over its competitors in the realms of passenger comfort, cargo capacity, body configurations and driving dynamics. Just a quick visual inspection of the Sprinter reveals how different it is. Its radically sloped front end, long wheelbase and tall body make it look like a good Adam Vinatieri kick could knock it over, yet it's just as wide as the Ford and GM models, and handles more like a midsize SUV than a plumber's van. If you can handle the higher price tag, modest horsepower and merely adequate towing capacity, the Sprinter is the best choice in this limited segment.
The first generation (VA Chassis) North American Sprinter was launched in 2001 in the U.S., and originally branded as a Freightliner. Units sold to the rest of North America were badged as Mercedes until 2004 when they received Dodge branding. Units in the United States and Canada, but not in Mexico, could be purchased as a Dodge or Freightliner brand from 2004. The product was launched and supported by DaimlerChrysler Vans LLC, a small division based out of Huntersville, North Carolina. Key individuals from DaimlerChrysler Commercial Vehicle Division and Freightliner were selected to spearhead the effort and made up the bulk of the division. DaimlerChrysler Vans LLC retained sole responsibility for the North American Sprinter market until the sales, service and parts support responsibilities were absorbed by Chrysler Commercial Vehicle Division in 2004. Nearly all of the original staff were retained, though the base of operations shifted from North Carolina to Auburn Hills, Michigan. The remainder of DaimlerChrysler Vans LLC remained active in Huntersville as an engineering, upfitter certification and safety compliance resource in support of the Sprinter.
