Key Takeaways
- We feel the Ford Transit is the most reliable full size cargo van, despite the myriad reports on other vans being the most reliable.
- The Sprinter is slightly larger than the Transit, but the Transit offers more headspace.
- Technology has become one of the most important features on vehicles in the modern world, and the Transit offers more than the Sprinter, making it a better choice for your fleet, or your van life design.
Which Cargo Van is the Most Reliable?
The Ford Transit is the most reliable full size cargo van. This question in truth has been debated to no end and if we look at other reports it is hard to get a clear answer. Consumer Reports had ranked the Ford Transit as one of the most reliable vans, JD Power ranks the Chevrolet Express as the most dependable, while US News and World Report would have you believe the Mercedes Sprinter is the most reliable. Car and Driver selected the Transit as their number one van for 2023, but this report does not necessarily factor in reliability.
The end result can usually come down to personal brand preference and what you have experienced and heard on your own. Each vehicle offers different features that make it slightly better than the other. The Sprinter has a huge cargo area, the Transit comes with a massive infotainment screen and a bit more height than other cargo vehicles, the Chevy and GMC vans offer a more cost effective option, and the Ram comes with more standard equipment (per Car and Driver) than the competitors.
We lean towards the Transit for our taller friends, but also because it is more modern than its competitors and is a bit better for fleets of commercial vans for its high customizability.
What is bigger: the Mercedes Sprinter or Ford Transit?
The Mercedes Sprinter is generally a bit bigger than the Ford Transit, but the Transit’s saving grace is that it offers more head space in the cargo area. So for our taller readers we would recommend going with the Transit to save your neck.
Although the Transit is just a tad smaller than the Sprinter it offers quite a bit more in this model year in the way of interior sophistication. Rather than making the interior just as bare bones as possible, the Ford Transit offers more technology than any of its rivals with the largest infotainment screen yet put into a commercial vehicle. This makes it ideal for our van life enthusiasts who want the snazziest interior experience possible.
What is better: Transit or Sprinter?
The Ford Transit is better than the Mercedes Sprinter. The American company’s commitment to designing the best vehicles for the job has paid out yet again with the Ford Transit. This vehicle was selected as Car and Driver’s best commercial cargo van in 2023 for its maneuverability, technology and fleet assistance technology. Car and Driver generally speaks to the largest purchaser of any vehicle and most cargo vans are bought as fleet vehicles for companies.
Ford packs in some great technology with a fleet and telematics system that helps make running your business just a bit smoother. The Mercedes sprinter does offer a bit more space and luxury brand recognition, but the interior of the Ford offers more luxury in terms of tech and design. The two are fairly customizable inside and out, so whether you want van life or a vehicle designed to get the job done the two are fairly equivalent.
The biggest draw for the Ford Transit is the technology, driver’s assistance technology and extreme customizability that make your life just a bit easier.