Is it the most exciting category of vehicles? Not even close. the cargo vans that prowl our streets bringing goods, services and even people to where they need to go are an all-important part of the automotive industry. Because we need these vans to provide the support for several businesses automakers are constantly working to provide the right model that is versatile enough to be a hauler of tools and materials but also have the ability to be fitted with seats to be a great party van or one that brings a group to church on Sundays.

Three of the top rated vans on the market are the Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and the Ram ProMaster to be a trio of great vehicles that are built to get the job done. These three were put up against each other to show a performance test, each of them with a dorm room worth of furniture in the back along a course that spanned 430 miles to give a test that makes the most sense. For all three of these vans the turbocharged diesel engines were chose to ensure the most power was present and to give the most direct comparison test of these three.

By making the choice of powertrains with the diesel the Nissan NV was no longer even a consideration. All three are setup as windowless cargo van versions because that is in line with this particular test and the most popular choice for cargo hauling. This also means the drivers performing the test had the same visibility restraints in all three, which helps to keep the test consistent. As in any experiment you want to have all factors similar and consistent across the board, thankfully this was pretty easy to do for these three vans. Let’s see how each one fared.

Ram ProMaster 1500 EcoDiesel – This van comes in with a harsh ride and a transmission that certainly should have been replaced long ago. The steering position is close to horizontal and there seemed to be no acceleration at all for this van. As for the engine, the 3.0-liter four-cylinder engine offers some good power, but even as the shortest and lightest van in the test this one showed us the longest stopping distance. The engine noise entered the cabin at every driving condition to make a terrible noise which makes it hard to really enjoy the ride.

Sitting in the driver’s seat you wonder if the makers of this van have ever made a delivery or been a service person at all. The seating is uncomfortable and hard on your body, which hours a day in the van or getting into this model after a long day of plumbing work would be less than enjoyable. Unless you must have this van because you can’t afford anything else this is one to avoid and except for the fact that it has a decent diesel engine it would not be considered for this comparison at all.

Mercedes- Benz Sprinter 2500 BlueTec

Because this van has an optional bulkhead that can be put between the seats of the cabin and the cargo area this was the quietest of the vans in this comparison test. This has been one of the favorites on the road for many years, giving us the van we want with the features we need. The seating position in this van is comfortable even though it’s a high spot to drive front. The stereo is enjoyable and steering is actually perfectly fitted to this van to allow you the feeling that comes from a sedan from the same company.

The engine used is a 2.1-liter four-cylinder model and it has the lowest amount of power and torque for the test, making it a bit less capable than the Ford model. This engine does enjoy being attached to a seven-speed automatic transmission to offer a good quickness into traffic and the ability to drive in highway traffic when called upon to do so. Overall this is a comfortable and stable vehicle which does its job extremely well while not being harsh on you or your driving. The only knock on this van is there is a bit of stiffness in the ride that you might not expect.

Ford Transit 150 Power Stroke

The Ford gave us a great look at a van that is quickly becoming the favorite of those who need a great work van to drive. This van comes in with the 3.2-liter five-cylinder offering for us to review and this van offers more power and torque than the other two. Not only do you have the best acceleration time but you also have good fuel mileage with this van as it will come in with 22 mpg, which is exceptional for any van. The Ford also showed the ability to carry as much as 408 more pounds than the Sprinter, quite a difference for us to enjoy.

The ride quality and handling were perfect in this van. The easy step in height and ability to cut through the wind made for a van that is enjoyable at every position. The Transit gives you strong brakes and the ability to feel as if this van is more like the Ford Flex than a cargo van. You can enjoy using this van for any work need or for shuttling people back and forth and everyone will be happy and comfortable riding inside.

The Verdict

Let’s go ahead and get this one out of the way, the ProMaster was the worst of the three. The only positive is the price, as it’s the least expensive of the three. The negatives start with poor steering, a poor build quality and terrible handing but only continue on from there to give you a long list of reasons not to buy this van for your company.

Second place goes to the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. This van has excellent steering and a great look to go along with a stable speed to drive. Unfortunately it has a top speed of 83 mph and is a bit rough on the ride; overall a great ride that is only beat out by one that is a bit better than this one.

Overall the Ford Transit was tops on this list. This excellent van offered the best seating position, the strongest engine, the best brakes and a cool style that made you want to keep driving the van. This is an extremely capable van that drives like a large car rather than a cargo van and it comes in at a price that falls between the other two to make it a veritable value purchase.