Large vans have been enjoying a surge in popularity. They are not just working vans anymore, they are van life vessels and passenger vans as well. They are a great choice for large families and many of them are built into epic overlanders. But how do you choose between the 2020 Transit and the 2020 Sprinter? Here are 5 reasons the Ford Transit is better than the Mercedes Sprinter.

Lower maintenance cost

Because these Ford parts are so widely available they are cheaper to buy if your Ford Transit begins having any trouble. In the event that your Transit needs repairs out there on the road, this is a huge benefit. When you want to save your money for fuel and fun, cheap parts are a big win.

Maintenance cost between the Ford Transit and the Mercedes Sprinter is a no brainer. Fords are obviously going to be cheaper to maintain. Additionally, it is almost always going to be easier to find a Ford service center than Mercedes.

Smoother ride

In this review by Car and Driver, the Ford Transit is far superior in terms of suspension. The Transit is by far the smoother ride over the Mercedes Sprinter. And when you think about how many hours will be spent actually riding in a vehicle like this, an easy ride is important.

Parts are easier to source

Ford parts are undoubtedly easy to source. They are widely available due to the volume of Ford trucks in circulation throughout the US. Where parts are more readily available, they are cheaper and more simple to find.

Especially for a vehicle you buy to tour around the country, this is an important selling point. A van that will be definitively easier to repair due to simply sourced parts is going to give its riders less of a headache out on that cross country adventure. Mercedes parts are not only going to be more difficult to find, but also more expensive.

New available factory 4×4 option

New for the 2020 Ford Transit is the factory 4×4 build. Until now, this has been a massive deciding factor for people who find themselves choosing between the Mercedes Sprinter and the Ford Transit. The Mercedes Sprinter has offered a factory 4×4 option since 2015. But, with Ford’s addition of a factory 4×4 option for the transit the decision between the two vans just got a lot more difficult.

Tallest interior height

Between the two, the Ford transit has a taller interior height. For overland builds and for work van cargo space, this is another big factor to keep in mind when choosing a new van. The Transit offers 4 extra inches of cargo height.

The Ford Transit has 6’8″ of cargo height. The Mercedes Sprinter has 6’4″ of cargo height, which might be a big deal for your specific needs, depending on what they are. If you need the tallest interior height available, go with the Ford Transit.

Ford Transit vs. Mercedes Sprinter

Between the two, the Ford has some important features over on the Mercedes. These are all important factors when choosing a van. Especially when you know you’ll be in it for hours on end.