van chassis compared

Ram ProMaster
The ProMaster is a Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) van. It's available in extended body versions, with the longest model measuring 20'10".

Engine Option:

• 3.6L Pentastar V6 – 276 horsepower, 250 lb-ft of torque
  The ProMaster is paired with a 9-speed transmission.

Ford Transit
The Transit offers a Mid-Roof option for those who don’t need extra interior height. It's also available in extended body versions, with the longest variant measuring 22'2". The Transit offers an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) option.

Engine Options:

• 3.5L PFDI V6 – 275 horsepower, 260 lb-ft of torque

• 3.5L EcoBoost V6 – 310 horsepower, 400 lb-ft of torque
  The Transit also comes with a 10-speed transmission

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
The Sprinter is available in Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) and AWD configurations. The longest version measures 24'.

Engine Options:

• 2.0L 4-cylinder diesel – 170 horsepower, 295 lb-ft of torque

• 2.0L High Output diesel – 211 horsepower, 332 lb-ft of torque
  The Sprinter comes with a 9-speed transmission

Ground Clearance:

• AWD Sprinter – 8"

• Transit, ProMaster, RWD Sprinter – 6.5"

Ram Dealerships - 2,500 | Ford Dealerships - 3,000 | Mercedes Dealerships - 380

In our experience we prefer the living area of the Promaster to the Transit and Sprinter for the wider floor and more squared off walls. But this is a personal preference. Either the FWD Promaster or RWD Transit and Sprinter will be just fine for most people. The AWD Transit or Sprinter would be worth looking into if you know you do a lot of winter camping.

Do you need AWD or 4x4?

For most people? Probably not. The front wheel drive Promaster or rear wheel drive versions of the Transit or Sprinter will be fine for most use cases. If you know you are going to push the limits of the roads a van can go down then you may want the AWD option. Just keep in mind these are large vehicles that are not designed for real off roading regardless.

When it comes to AWD vans, many immediately think of the Sprinter. The Transit's AWD system actually outperforms even the now-discontinued "4x4" Sprinter. This is because the Sprinter's "4x4" system wasn't truly a 4x4 system—it was essentially Mercedes' outdated switchable AWD system, requiring a full stop to engage.

The "4x4" Sprinter can only allocate up to 33% of power to the front wheels when engaged, whereas the Transit AWD system can direct up to 100% of power to the front wheels. Additionally, the Sprinter's open differential means it loses effectiveness when tires start slipping, whereas the Transit offers an available limited-slip differential, crucial for maintaining traction and power in challenging conditions.

The new Sprinter AWD model can now distribute 50% of power to the front wheels but still features an open differential. The advantage of the Sprinter is the added ground clearance from the factory that the Transit AWD doesn’t have.