Mobilizing Your Business With Mercedes-Benz Cargo Vans

Owning and managing a business is an incredible experience that gives you the opportunity to bring your vision to life within a community like ours. Our commercial clients turn to us to help mobilize their business with a fleet of vehicles, whether they're building or expanding. Why? Our dealerships are the premier destination for cargo vans for sale in Charlotte, specializing in luxury performance brands like Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz is synonymous with luxury but is also known for building long-lasting, reliable, and innovative vehicles. These characteristics are significant when building or expanding your commercial fleet because they make the investment more valuable and worthwhile. Moreover, Mercedes-Benz doesn't take a one-size-fits-all approach but offers three distinct commercial cargo vans, each fully customizable to your business's unique needs.

Meet the Models: Sprinter, eSprinter, and Metris

Businesses often have few choices when shopping for a cargo van because automakers typically have limited lineups. Fortunately, Mercedes-Benz is the exception and offers the Sprinter, eSprinter, and Metris models. The Metris and Sprinter have been staples in the Mercedes-Benz lineup since the mid-1990s, with the Sprinter eventually debuting in the brand's North American lineup in 2002. By 2018, Mercedes-Benz extended the Sprinter family with the eSprinter, a battery-electric van that offers even more appeal today.

Size Differences: Wheelbase

The first consideration when shopping for a Mercedes-Benz cargo van is size. Ideally, you want to invest in a van that meets your business's current needs but also offers plenty of room for future growth. For example, if you primarily haul cargo in Charlotte, you might invest in a larger van to accommodate potential growth as your business flourishes. Alternatively, if your business is service-oriented and requires using your cargo van to haul tools and small equipment between job sites, you likely don't need a van that can "grow with" your business but one that can reliably keep your team on the road.

Mercedes-Benz answers these needs with the Metris and Sprinter. The Metris is smaller—and, because of this, it's ideal for navigating busy city areas. You can opt for the Metris on a 126- or 135-inch wheelbase, each with a standard roof height that gives the van a traditional and functional aesthetic. The Sprinter and eSprinter are larger and more versatile because you can choose between a 144- or 170-inch extended wheelbase and a standard or high roof. The Sprinter's larger footprint makes it less agile than the Metris, but, as you'll soon see, it offers more cargo room and a higher payload capacity.

Capacities: Cargo and Payload

As expected, the size differences between the Metris and Sprinter affect more than maneuverability. The Metris' shorter wheelbase means it has a slightly smaller interior and a lower payload. It's genuinely designed as a city-based cargo van, with the 135-inch wheelbase model offering 199.2 cu.ft. of cargo room, a payload slightly over 2,000 lbs, and a 5,000-lb towing capacity. Inside, the maximum cargo height is 55 inches, with a maximum width of 66.3 inches and a total cargo length of 120.5 inches with the thru-loading partition.

Even with its larger wheelbase, the Sprinter is adept at handling itself in Charlotte and other busy areas. Of course, its bigger footprint means it can carry more cargo than its Metris counterpart. For example, the Sprinter on a 144-inch wheelbase with a standard roof offers 319 cu.ft. of cargo room, while the 170-inch wheelbase and high roof yields 488.1 cu.ft. of space. The Sprinter's payload potential is also noticeably higher, with models like the Sprinter 4500 capable of supporting over 6,000 lbs. You're also benefiting from a longer cargo floor, which measures 189 inches.

Performance: Powertrains

The Metris, Sprinter, and eSprinter cater to different performance needs for business owners. The eSprinter's appeal is obvious, with the rear-wheel drive cargo van fitted with a standard 100- or 150-kW high-output electric motor and an 81- or 113-kWh battery. The electric powertrain delivers on-demand power without compromising your fleet's operating costs or efficiency. For example, the estimated driving range is between 150 and 206 miles, depending on the battery. Recharging with a DC Fast Charger replenishes the battery in as little as 45 minutes, or you can recharge overnight with a dedicated Level 2 charger at your fleet's operations base.

The Metris' smaller footprint makes it more agile and responsive, especially with its 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which is paired with a smooth-shifting 9G-tronic transmission. That engine produces 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, which gives the Metris plenty of power in any condition. Alternatively, the Sprinter offers more low-end torque to accommodate its higher payload capacity. The standard four-cylinder diesel engine produces 170 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, with the high-output alternative increasing that output to 211 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque.

Driver Experience: Tech and Interior

As Mercedes-Benz models, the Sprinter, eSprinter, and Metris boast premium interiors that defy every expectation of what a cargo van can and should be. The seating is plush, but, more importantly, Mercedes-Benz adds technologies to keep your fleet connected, safe, and engaged wherever business and the road lead. These technologies are prevalent in all three models. However, the Metris is more value-oriented because it offers more standard features.

Models like the 2023 Metris roll off the production line with more driver assistance and safety tech than the Sprinter and eSprinter. The Metris features Crosswind Assist, Hill Start Assist, Active Brake Assist, and a Load-Adaptive Electronic Stability Program to optimize stability and control. Other standard tools include an expansive rear view camera and Attention Assist, with optional upgrades adding Lane-Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist, and Active Distance Assist Distronic; this technology acts like an enhanced cruise control and can help drivers accelerate or brake to maintain a safe distance from traffic ahead.

The Sprinter has fewer standard tech features, but business owners can expand those features with the optional Drive Assist Package. For example, the 2023 Sprinter features cruise control, Active Brake Assist, Emergency Call, and a 10.25-inch multimedia system. Spending more on upgrades adds Blind Spot Assist, Attention Assist, a 360-degree camera, Active Distance Assist Distronic, Traffic Sign Assist, Active Lane-Keeping Assist, a wet wiper system, and LED performance headlights.

Key Takeaways: Finding the Perfect Cargo Van for Your Business

Mobilizing your business in Charlotte is an exciting endeavor, especially when it puts your team behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz cargo van. Mercedes-Benz leads the commercial segment by offering an extensive lineup of cargo vans that cater to unique needs, from the city-oriented Metris and its smaller footprint to the larger Sprinter and its battery-electric sibling, the eSprinter. So, how do you choose?

Our dealerships are always ready to help, but we know your search starts long before you visit us. As you explore the Metris and Sprinter models, know that each van is fully customizable with various upfits that respond to your business's needs. From there, look at your operating needs today and your plans for future growth to determine the ideal van size and capacity. Do you need the agility of a Metris or the spaciousness of a Sprinter? Either way, your business will always be in excellent hands with Mercedes-Benz.