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.
Ford Transit Custom
From $62,990
Van
Diesel
Diesel
125kW
7.8 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
5800L
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
From $79,900
Van
Diesel
Diesel
110kW
8.8 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
14000L
Track the Ford Transit Custom & Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
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
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Ford Transit Custom features a 13-inch touchscreen paired with a 12-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter gets a 9-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Interior trim differs: the Ford Transit Custom gets cloth upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter offers vinyl. Climate control is 2-zone in the Ford Transit Custom and 1-zone in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
Drivetrain
The Ford Transit Custom uses a Diesel producing 125kW and 390Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed automatic to a FWD layout.
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter responds with a Diesel making 110kW and 340Nm, 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 5,050mm long on a 3,100mm wheelbase, 1917mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter at 6,967mm (4,325mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 5800L in the Ford Transit Custom and 14000L in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, giving the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter a 8200L advantage. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter seats 3 vs 2.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 2,000kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.9m to 14.4m
Based on 10.9m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 14.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
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 / 999,999km (Ford Transit Custom) vs 5 years / 250,000km (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, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Ford Transit Custom takes 3 of 4 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.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Ford Transit Custom and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
The Ford Transit Custom is the cheapest at $62,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter by $16,910.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Ford Transit Custom uses the least fuel at 7.8L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Ford Transit Custom and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has the largest boot at 14000L.
Which can tow the most?
The Ford Transit Custom has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Ford Transit Custom makes the most power at 125kW.
Track the cars you're comparing
Get price-drop and spec-change alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown of launches, deals and reviews.
- Price-drop alerts on these models
- Spec-change alerts
- Weekly new-car rundown
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
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.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
