Ford Transit Custom vs Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Vans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Price Breakdown
The Ford Transit Custom starts from $62,990 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter opens at $79,900. That makes the Ford Transit Custom the more affordable entry point by $16,910.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $69,289 and $87,890 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Ford Transit Custom by roughly $1,425 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Ford Transit Custom and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 1 out of 10 key ADAS systems.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 4 in the Ford Transit Custom and 6 in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
Feature Showdown
The Ford Transit Custom features a 8-inch touchscreen, while the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter gets a 9-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Drivetrain
The Ford Transit Custom uses a Diesel producing 125kW and 385Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter responds with a Diesel making 110kW and 320Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels.
The Ford Transit Custom has the clear power advantage at 125kW vs 110kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Ford Transit Custom measures 4,975mm long on a 3,300mm wheelbase, 957mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter at 5,932mm (3,665mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 6800L in the Ford Transit Custom and 10500L in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, giving the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter a 3700L advantage. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter seats 3 vs 2.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 500kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,223/year for the Ford Transit Custom and $2,508/year for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. That is a $285 annual difference in favour of the Ford Transit Custom.
Estimated annual total: $2,223 (Ford Transit Custom) vs $2,508 (Mercedes-Benz Sprinter). The Ford Transit Custom saves you roughly $285 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 150,000km (Ford Transit Custom) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz Sprinter). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Ford Transit Custom if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Ford's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter if: You need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Ford Transit Custom takes 3 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Ford Transit Custom will save you roughly $285 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Published by CarSorted Editorial Team · 20 April 2026
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