Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer Minibus 2017: Review

Name: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer Minibus 2017: Review
Brand: Mercedes-Benz

There's a new player in the 12-seater minibus market, with the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 313CDI signing on for duty as the marque's entry-level model

On sale since February 2017, the Sprinter Transfer 313CDI minibus shares its underpinnings with its 316CDI sibling, just with a more modest output and features list for $15,000 less. Still, the new base model benefits from a suite of safety features and Benz's 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission, making this car-licence-friendly 12-seater a snap to drive. With 'Benz's ubiquitous and proven OM651 four-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 95kW/305Nm, the Sprinter Transfer 313CDI is priced from $64,990 (plus on-road costs).

In expanding its Sprinter Transfer minibus range to two models, Mercedes-Benz is attempting to carve a larger slice of a market niche dominated by Toyota's HiAce Commuter.

According to the FCAI's VFACTS data, in 2016 Toyota claimed an 81.7 per cent share of the light bus (under 20 seats) segment, with 2111 units. In comparison, Mercedes-Benz sold just 185 examples of Sprinter Transfer 316CDI – a figure it's hoping to boost with its new entry-level Sprinter Transfer 313CDI.

With a GVM of 3880kg and seating for 12, the medium-wheelbase, standard-roof Sprinter Transfer 313CDI can be driven on a car licence, making them an ideal solution for everything from schools to councils, aged-care facilities to tourism operators, limousine-hire companies and more.

Priced to sell

The first difference between the Transfer 313CDI and 316CDI to catch prospective buyers' eyes is the price: at $64,990 (plus ORCs), the 313CDI is a full $15,000 cheaper than the 316CDI.

Of course, both these models are more often fleet purchases than private buys, so the actual final price may vary significantly depending on the number of vehicles bought.

The extra $15k gets you a higher-output version of Benz's venerable OM651 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel and a number of additional features.

The 316CDI engine maxes out at 120kW/360Nm, compared to 95kW/305Nm for the 313CDI, while the 313CDI misses out on an electric sliding side door, rear air-conditioning and a reversing camera, among others.

Still, that doesn't mean the 313CDI is a bare-bones affair – far from it, as the trucksales.com.au team discovered over the course of week's commuting in Melbourne.

Climbing up into the cab is aided by a broad step, a wide door aperture and a grab handle. The seating position is high – above that of 4WDs and on a par with many trucks – giving a clear view ahead. In fact, visibility in general is excellent thanks to expanse of side and rear glass, and the large side mirrors.

The side mirrors feature heaters and electric adjustment, although the spot mirrors are manual adjustment only. A reversing camera wouldn't hurt, although one is available as a $776 option.

The cloth seating is comfy enough and features the usual manual adjustment plus an adjustable armrest and lumbar support for the driver's seat. The multi-function steering wheel is adjustable for both tilt and reach, so finding the optimal position is easy.

The Transfer is only available with the Mercedes-Benz 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission so it's a two-pedal affair, but a dedicated 'dead pedal' footrest would have been appreciated.

Manoeuvrability and payload

It might measure in at an overall length of 5926mm, but the Transfer 313CDI is exceptionally easy to drive. The rear-wheel drive format helps keep the Transfer's turning circle to a fairly tight 13.6m, while the independent front suspension and rear leaf suspension deliver a quality ride that strikes a healthy balance between comfort and payload ability.

Speaking of weight, the 313CDI has a maximum payload of 553kg. That’s just 25kg under the best-in-class Ford Transit, but it's ahead of the 316CDI (533kg), the Renault Master (404kg) and the Toyota HiAce Commuter (197kg).

The dash, largely unchanged from the standard Sprinter van, is functional and well put together, although these days it is looking a little dated. The Audio 15 multimedia system works well enough, offering AM/FM radio, MP3, Bluetooth streaming and more, but it's not as intuitive as many of today's systems – if you're unfamiliar with it, it takes a little while to nut out the menus and pair a phone.

The Audio 15's 14.7cm TFT colour display is sizeable and it can be paired with sat-nav ($980), but it's not a touchscreen. However, the sound quality from the four-speaker set-up (two up front, two in the rear) is decent, and aided by the generally low level of ambient noise (for an LCV, anyway).

Passenger appointments

Passengers are well catered for with a 3, 2, 1–2, 4 seating layout, and a sizeable space for luggage at the rear. The seats are non-reclinable but they are comfortable enough, while each passenger gets a three-point seat belt.

A broad electric step folds out on opening the sliding side door, which in this case has an electric assist to lock the door shut. A full electric sliding door is available as an option ($1540).

There are numerous grab rails to aid ingress and egress and but the overhead module in our test vehicle only delivered fan-forced air or heating. The van comes prepared for an optional high-performance rear air-conditioning unit, however, which adds another $1314.

The 50:50 rear barn doors open to 180 degrees (270 degrees would be better – then the offside door could be folded flat instead of potentially obstructing passing traffic).

The loading bay floor is low and there's a step to aid anything getting into the area to unload baggage, but there's no bulkhead or barrier to prevent items from sliding forward and beneath the seating under brakes.

Safety and performance

The four-wheel disc brakes are excellent, delivering both good power and feel. They're part of a comprehensive suite of safety features that begins with 'Benz's ESP9i stability control program. The Transfer's safety features include antilock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, traction control, rollover mitigation, load adaptive control, crosswind assist and trailer stability control (the Transfer has a maximum towing limit of 2000kg).

We've sampled the Sprinter van on a water-soaked skid pan before so we can vouch for the value behind the rather bewildering array of Mercedes-Benz safety acronyms (like LAC, EBC, ASR, to name just a few). There are airbags for both driver and the outboard front passenger and the test vehicle was fitted with optional side airbags too ($1230), but it's far better to have the electronic systems to prevent an accident from occurring in the first place – and here the Sprinter Transfer shines.

As for performance, don't fall into the trap of regarding the 313CDI as the 'poor cousin' of the Transfer family. This engine might be 25kW and 55Nm down on the 316CDI, but it still offers good punch off the line and through its wide, chunky midrange. Certainly it holds its own in the cut and thrust of city traffic, while loping along in a relaxed manner on the highway.

The 7G-TRONIC is a superb transmission and so it is here; it shifts quickly, almost imperceptibly, and there's a manual sequential mode too.

Conclusion

It would be a mistake to think of the Sprinter Transfer 313CDI as simply a pared back, powered-down version of the 316CDI. This is a thoroughly competent minibus in its own right, with sprightly performance, impressive handling, a no-compromise safety package and thoroughly adequate comfort.

With a starting price that's significantly shrunk the gap to those of its rivals, we'd be very surprised if Mercedes-Benz can't carve off a bigger slice of the 12-seater minibus pie with this safe, capable and dynamic model.

2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Transfer 313CDI pricing and specifications:

Price: $64,990 (plus on-road costs)

Engine: 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel

Output: 95kW/305Nm

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Fuel: N/A

CO2: N/A

Safety Rating: N/A

What we liked:

>> Ease of operation

>> Surprisingly tight turning circle

>> Suitably high level of safety technology