Ford Transit 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 starts from $69,990 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter opens at $79,900. That makes the Ford Transit the more affordable entry point by $9,910.
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 $76,989 and $87,890 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
Both the Ford Transit 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 2 in the Ford Transit and 6 in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
Feature Showdown
The Ford Transit 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 uses a Diesel producing 96kW and 360Nm of torque, sent through a manual to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 12 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter responds with a Diesel making 110kW and 320Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels.
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has the clear power advantage at 110kW vs 96kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Ford Transit measures 5,531mm long on a 3,750mm wheelbase, 401mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter at 5,932mm (3,665mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Ford Transit generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 9000L in the Ford Transit and 10500L in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, giving the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter a 1500L advantage.
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.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,337/year for the Ford Transit and $2,508/year for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. That is a $171 annual difference in favour of the Ford Transit.
Estimated annual total: $2,337 (Ford Transit) vs $2,508 (Mercedes-Benz Sprinter). The Ford Transit saves you roughly $171 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 150,000km (Ford Transit) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz Sprinter). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Ford Transit if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Ford's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Ford Transit will save you roughly $171 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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