Why Ford’s Transit Is Winning Van Buyers Over the Mercedes Sprinter

For tradespeople, a fully covered van with a flat floor and extra load space beats a pickup truck bed that leaves tools exposed to rain. In Europe, the Ford Transit has long been king, and it is now doing the same in America.

Sales numbers tell the story. Ford sold 161,797 Transits in 2025, nearly eight times the Sprinter’s 22,372. The gap remains in Q1 2026: 34,248 Transits to 8,384 Sprinters.

Starting prices are close. 5-liter gasoline engine. 0-liter turbodiesel. The Transit counters with more standard equipment and a wider choice of roof and cargo configurations.

Repairs matter when a van is your livelihood. The Transit’s gas V6 can be handled by Ford’s plentiful dealers, while the Sprinter’s specialized diesel is used nowhere else in Mercedes’ US car range, making experienced technicians harder to find. A remote breakdown could mean a costly tow.

For fleet buyers, downtime is money.

Running costs also favor the Ford. Mercedes parts and specialist labor are pricier. Over five years, Mango Vans estimates Transit upkeep at $15,000, $22,000, versus $22,000, $32,000 for the Sprinter.

5 inches vs. 79) makes it easier to stand up inside and haul tall items. Its straighter walls simplify racking and camper conversions; a Sprinter conversion can cost $5,000, $15,000 more. The Sprinter’s optional 4MATIC raises the floor, cutting headroom, while Ford’s AWD doesn’t.

The Transit’s optional EcoBoost V6 makes 310 hp and 400 lb-ft, beating the Sprinter's 211 hp and 332 lb-ft. The Sprinter counters with better fuel economy, stronger resale value, and a superior 4MATIC system, for about $5,000 extra.

The Sprinter has its strengths, but for people who actually use vans for work or weekender builds, the Transit is easier, cheaper, and more versatile. Sometimes boring is exactly what you want.