How many miles per gallon does a Dodge Sprinter van get?
The Dodge Sprinter was the U.S. branded version of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter sold from the early 2000s until 2009. Gas mileage depends heavily on engine, wheelbase, payload, and driving conditions. Today, Dodge no longer uses the Sprinter name, and similar large vans in the market are the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and the Ram ProMaster. This article outlines typical fuel economy ranges you might have seen and what factors influence them.
What affects fuel economy
Fuel economy for a Sprinter van varies with engine type, cargo weight, driving style, and terrain. Heavier payloads, city driving with frequent stops, and high speeds all tend to lower miles-per-gallon, while long highway trips at steady speeds generally improve efficiency. Official EPA ratings for the Dodge-era Sprinter are not as commonly cited as modern vehicles, so most estimates come from historical data, owner reports, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter benchmarks that share similar powertrains.
Engine choices used in the Dodge Sprinter (U.S. market)
Two diesel engines powered Dodge Sprinters in the United States, with mpg differences mainly driven by weight and efficiency of the powerplant. The numbers below are approximate ranges reported by owners and guides for typical configurations.
- 2.7L inline-5 turbo-diesel (early Dodge Sprinter): roughly 18–21 mpg combined, with highway figures often in the low to mid-20s depending on load and speed.
- 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel (late 2007–2009 US models): roughly 20–23 mpg combined, with better highway efficiency when not heavily loaded.
- Note: Modern Mercedes-Benz Sprinter variants use similar diesel powertrains and deliver comparable ranges, with highway-era numbers commonly in the low to mid-20s mpg for lighter configurations.
In practice, real-world fuel economy for a Dodge Sprinter van typically lands in the 18–22 mpg range for most load scenarios, with highway cruising on well-maintained routes sometimes pushing toward the mid-20s for lighter, well-tuned vans.
Notes on current vans and alternatives
The Dodge Sprinter name is no longer in active production. If you’re researching current large vans, you’ll find two main options: the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and the Ram ProMaster. Both share similar cargo-van footprints and diesel or gasoline options in today’s market, and their EPA ratings reflect modern engineering and certification processes. Always check the exact model year and configuration for precise figures.
Maximizing MPG for a Sprinter van
Fuel economy can be improved with careful maintenance and driving practices. Implementing the following can help you stay closer to the upper end of expected ranges:
- Keep tires properly inflated to the recommended pressures and rotate them as advised to minimize rolling resistance.
- Regular maintenance: timely oil changes, fuel filter replacements, air filter upkeep, and engine tune-ups.
- Plan efficient routes and avoid excessive idling; use cruise control on highways when appropriate.
- Lighten the load when possible and distribute weight evenly to reduce strain on the engine.
Concluding paragraph: By combining proper maintenance with sensible driving habits, you can approach the higher end of the Sprinter’s mpg range, though payload and driving conditions will always influence the actual figure.
Summary
The Dodge Sprinter’s mpg varies primarily by engine and payload. Older 2.7L diesel models typically delivered roughly 18–21 mpg combined, while later 3.0L diesel variants often reached about 20–23 mpg combined, with highway numbers in the low to mid-20s under favorable conditions. Since the Dodge Sprinter is no longer in production, prospective buyers should compare current Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Ram ProMaster options, each with their own EPA ratings based on year, engine, and configuration. For accurate figures, check the EPA ratings for the exact model year and setup you’re considering.
How many miles per gallon does a 2007 Dodge Sprinter 2500 diesel get?
As far as fuel efficiency goes, our unibody Sprinter 2500 diesel tester managed 16.3 miles-per-gallon in real world driving. That's significantly better than the body-on-frame Dodge Ram Van the Sprinter replaced.
How many miles per gallon does a diesel Sprinter van get?
A Mercedes Sprinter van's diesel mileage varies by model, but generally ranges from 15 to 22 MPG combined. This can increase to 24-27 MPG on the highway for some models, especially the 4-cylinder diesel, but decreases significantly with heavy loads, high speeds, or towing. Real-world fuel economy is impacted by factors like driving style, vehicle weight, and terrain.
Estimated fuel economy by engine and driving condition
- Combined: Around 22 MPG for newer 4-cylinder diesel models. Older models or V6 diesels may have lower combined ratings, averaging 15-21 MPG.
- Highway: The 4-cylinder diesel can achieve 24-27 MPG when driven at lower speeds on the highway.
- City: Diesel Sprinters are generally less efficient in stop-and-go city driving, with some models getting as low as 14-17 MPG.
Factors that affect mileage
- Weight: Added weight from a camper conversion or heavy cargo can significantly decrease fuel efficiency.
- Towing: Towing a trailer can drop mileage to as low as 14 MPG or less, depending on the trailer's size and weight.
- Driving speed: Higher speeds, especially on mountain roads, will reduce fuel economy.
- Tires: All-terrain tires, compared to stock tires, can lower fuel efficiency.
Do Sprinter vans have good gas mileage?
Diesel Engine
On average, a diesel Sprinter van can achieve about 22-24 miles per gallon (mpg). With a fuel tank capacity of around 24.5 gallons, you can expect a range of approximately 540-588 miles on a full tank.
How many miles can a Sprinter van go on a full tank of gas?
A Sprinter van can go around 460 to 530 miles on a full tank of gas, depending on the engine and driving conditions. For a 22-gallon tank, this equates to a range of approximately 462 miles in the city and 528 miles on the highway, while a 24.5-gallon tank offers a city range of around 514.5 miles and a highway range of about 588 miles.
Factors affecting range
- Engine type: Gas engines typically have a different fuel efficiency than diesel engines.
- Driving conditions: A van driven on the highway will have a longer range than one driven in city traffic, which involves more stopping and starting.
- Tank size: The total range depends on the specific tank capacity for your model, with standard models having tanks between 22 and 24.5 gallons.
- Weight and load: Heavier loads and towing will decrease fuel efficiency and shorten the overall range.
- Model year: Newer models with different engine and transmission options, such as the 2.0L with a 9-speed transmission, may offer better fuel economy.
