2025 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter - Big, Boxy And Beautiful

Forbes

a day ago

The 2025 eSprinter arrived this year in an improved version of its-already rollicking self. It's still got a gaping maw of a rear cargo space and still only two seats up front, and it collects garbage on road trips faster than anything made out there - there is no back seat to chuck bags, cups, chinese food containers and other refuse into. That's part of its charm.
What's New For 2025
The Mercedes-Benz eSprinter was all-new for last year. This year brings new battery sizes, configurations, tech upgrades, and always-welcome safety enhancements. The core chassis and electric motor design remain consistent, but the feature package and flexibility expand significantly.
Body
At first the unit seems impossibly large - and it is - but enter and exit a bunch of times and it's a snap. You're basically a box on four wheels, with a snazzy slanted front windshield with you sitting on high, surveying the road. Despite its sheer size, it doesn't inspire any sort of misbehaviour as might happen in pickups or SUVS. People respect it on the road.
Inside, And Tech
It's not plush or even particularly luxurious. There isn't any center console, so you find cupholders and side pockets where you can. Nor is there a backseat – there is a wall. You see behind you via your side mirrors and the rear-view mirror is a camera that works surprisingly well, once you put your trust in it. You just go slow at first.
The latest in tech is here for you, too, including a voice control assistant but you can also operate the system via a touchscreen, touchpad, and touch-sensitive steering-wheel-mounted buttons. You can go for a 10.3-inch touchscreen display, and subscribe to cloud-based services supporting fleet owners.
The optional Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX), now featuring the latest software generation, offers innovative AI-based technology and an intuitive operating system. It can be operated via Voice Control, the touchscreen, or the touch control buttons on the standard multifunction steering wheel. With Intelligent Voice Control and natural language understanding, the system responds to the verbal cue 'Hey Mercedes.'
MBUX also features learning capabilities and can calculate the optimal charging strategy—either to reach your destination quickly or to ensure a desired state of charge (SoC) upon arrival.
Nice touches include heated and pivoting front seats, a heated windshield, electric folding exterior mirrors, air-conditioning, an electric sliding door and step, a digital rearview mirror and other great stuff.
Minuses include not being able to recline your seat to take a nap or just daydream. Again, we're not talking first-class seating. Visibility is very good when you get used to the cameras and side mirrors. The sound of the audio system was good, not unbelievable.
Motor
For 2025, the eSprinter is available with a new, smaller 81-kWh battery, offering an estimated 150 miles of range (realistically adjusted from the more generous European WLTP figures). When plugged into a DC fast charger, it can recover up to 80% charge in about 32 minutes while you read, or snooze in the rear cargo area.
All 2025 eSprinters are rear-wheel drive and deliver up to 295 lb-ft of torque, with two motor options: 134 or 201 horsepower. With this battery, maximum payload is rated at up to 3,516 pounds, depending on configuration.
The larger 113-kWh battery from the previous year also returns, offering around 250 miles of range. It requires roughly 42 minutes on a Level 3 charger to reach 80% capacity. Payload capacity drops slightly with this battery, topping out at 2,624 pounds.
The Drive
The eSprinter has a fixed top speed of 75 MPH. It gets there eventually—0 to 60 takes about 12 seconds, and that's with an empty cargo area. Load it up and it's definitely a case of slow and steady. That said, it's nimble around town (when empty, that is) with sharp responses and a commanding, high-up driving position that makes it surprisingly fun to drive.
There's nothing dramatic to report about the drive itself—steering is responsive and enjoyable, the van holds the road confidently, and the brakes feel solid. It's not sporty, naturally, but over a full week of testing with an empty bed and no passengers, I looked forward to every drive.
Charging is simple and smart - the port is tucked beneath the oversized front badge, not on the side, so you can pull in nose-first and plug in without wrestling with the cable.
To maximize efficiency, the all-new eSprinter offers three drive modes—Eco, Comfort, and Max Range—and five recuperation levels. These systems help optimize electrical consumption and extend range. The D Auto mode uses radar to automatically adjust energy recovery based on real-time traffic conditions. The ECO Assist display even tells the driver when to lift off the pedal, allowing the van to select the optimal level of recuperation. The result is a driving experience tailored to efficiency, comfort, or a mix of both.
Pricing
The sticker on the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter starts at $61,250, going up to about $71,460 with all options and delivery fee.
Ideas for customization
The eSprinter can be upfitted to a mobile workshop or a spacious delivery van. eXpertUpfitter solutions, such as shelving systems, workbenches or heavy-duty wood floors for heavy loads offer further available customization options for the load compartment. The load capacity is 488 cubic feet and the permissible gross vehicle weight is 4.25 tons.
Safety
Mercedes provides the eSprinter with a plethora of standard driver-assistance technology including blind-spot monitoring, crosswind assist, and automated emergency braking. It also warns the driver if it detects signs of drowsiness or inattention – over and over and over again.
Key safety features include standard automated emergency braking, standard blind-spot monitoring and standard driver-attention monitor.
Warranty
The all-electric Mercedes-Benz eSprinter comes with a Battery Certificate and a maintenance package that includes the first four years of service in the purchase price.
Mercedes doesn't pay for any scheduled maintenance, but they offer a limited warranty covering four years or 50,000 miles, a powertrain warranty that covers four years or 50,000 miles. Electrical components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles.
Conclusion: Mercedes has made an already-great machine greater.