Mercedes Sprinter vs. Ford Transit: What’s the difference?

Our Ford Transit model fills up with regular gasoline, while the Mercedes Sprinter only accepts diesel. There are pros and cons to both.

Regular gasoline is easier to come by than diesel. Not all gas stations offer diesel, and it's typically a higher price per gallon than regular.

Using diesel also means using diesel exhaust fluid. So every seven or eight times you fill up the gas tank of your Sprinter, you'll also need to pop the hood and add a couple gallons of DEF. 

However, the Sprinter models are typically more fuel efficient than the Ford Transit.

The Transit fuel capacity is 31 gallons, and the Sprinter fuel capacity is 24.5 gallons.

The Sprinters have a 3.0L Turbo Diesel V6 engine, while the Ford Transit has a 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 engine. Driving the Ford Transit feels more like driving an SUV.

Storyteller’s Classic, Stealth and Beast MODE camper vans are all manufactured on the Mercedes Sprinter 144” wheelbase. The interior height on these models is 6’3”, and the DreamWeaver bed folds out to a length of 78” at its longest point.

The MODE LT on the Ford Transit comes in a little bit longer, wider and taller than the Sprinters. It’s manufactured on a 148” wheelbase. There’s an extra two inches of headspace – the interior height of the LT is 6’5”. It’s also two inches wider at the bed, with a total of 80” at its longest point.

Ford is known for its accessibility, so driving a Ford Transit camper van typically means you'll have lower maintenance costs, you'll get parts quicker, and it will be easier to service your van. 

The Mercedes Sprinter camper vans currently have a four wheel drive option, while all Ford Transit vans have all wheel drive. Starting in 2023, Mercedes has also started manufacturing its Sprinters on an all wheel drive system.

From the Mercedes website: "The new Sprinter AWD system gives drivers enhanced steering feel, better maneuverability and safety add-ons, all while keeping the ground clearance, approach, departure and breakover angle the same as the previous 4x4 system."

If you hate parking large vehicles, then you’ll love how the Sprinter vans offer 360-degree surround view cameras. While the Ford Transit only offers a standard backup camera, there are aftermarket cameras you can add to the MODE LT if this piece of technology is important to you.

Both vehicles have keyless entry, and remote start comes on the MODE LT.

The Sprinter vans come with heated driver and passenger seats, and they come in leather. The seats on the LT are cloth.

Both van options have CarPlay, and the Sprinter vans also have wireless smartphone charging.

The MODE LT is Storyteller Overland’s most affordable adventure van, coming in at $171,429 in 2023. So the Ford Transit offers a more affordable camper van.

But the Classic MODE on the Sprinter chassis isn’t much more expensive: it starts at $175,887 in 2023. You won’t notice much difference in price until you look at the other Storyteller models on the Sprinter: the Stealth MODE starts at $188,941, and the Beast MODE starts at $218,620.

The interior of every Storyteller Overland adventure van has trademarked elements that you can’t get anywhere else. This includes the Dreamweaver™ bed/convertible work surface, the GrooveLounge™ 2-Seater convertible sofa bed, the Halo Interior Shower™ system (folds up into a cabinet!) and the FlexSpace™ concealed shower pan.

We equip each galley with a stainless steel sink with a folding faucet, exterior fold down table (perfect for cooking outside), a dual voltage refrigerator/freezer, a stainless steel microwave and a portable induction cooktop.

We also insulate all each of our vans with sheep’s wool, which not only offers a quieter drive but will also keep you warmer on cool nights.