Is a 2006 Dodge Sprinter a Mercedes?
Yes. The 2006 Dodge Sprinter is a Dodge-badged version of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, produced under a collaboration between Daimler and Chrysler and sharing Mercedes engineering.
In North America, the Dodge Sprinter represented a joint venture arrangement that allowed Dodge dealers to offer a full-size cargo van based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter platform. The two vans are mechanically very similar, with branding and trim differences reflecting their respective marques.
Background and relationships
This section explains how the two brands came to share a single van and what that means for ownership, maintenance, and parts compatibility.
- The Dodge Sprinter is essentially a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter wearing a Dodge badge for the North American market.
- It uses the same basic platform, body construction, and often the same Mercedes diesel engine options as its Mercedes counterpart.
- The arrangement stems from a historical collaboration between Daimler (Mercedes-Benz) and Chrysler, which allowed shared engineering and production.
These points summarize the core relationship between Dodge and Mercedes-Benz in the context of the 2006 Sprinter.
How to tell them apart
When evaluating a used vehicle from this era, consider these indicators to identify whether it is a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter or a Dodge Sprinter (the 2003–2009 era in North America).
- Exterior and interior badging: Dodge Sprinter vs. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
- Documentation and VIN data: While mechanically similar, paperwork may reflect Dodge branding; the VIN can provide model data.
- Trim and option packages: Dodge-branded vans may have Dodge-specific interior trim or option combinations.
Understanding these cues helps verify the exact identity of a 2006 model and its branding.
Current market status
Today, Mercedes-Benz continues to offer the Sprinter in North America as a Mercedes-badged van. The Dodge-branded Sprinter was a product of a specific historical branding strategy and is not part of the current Dodge lineup. In the broader market, Fiat-Chrysler vehicles evolved into Ram-branded commercial vans, while Mercedes-Benz remains the primary supplier of the Sprinter in the region. A separate, modern North American alternative for large van needs is the Ram ProMaster, which is based on the Fiat Ducato platform rather than the Mercedes Sprinter.
Summary
The 2006 Dodge Sprinter is a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van sold under the Dodge name in North America as part of a legacy collaboration between Daimler and Chrysler. Mechanically, it is closely aligned with Mercedes engineering, but it carries Dodge branding and styling. For buyers seeking the Mercedes-Benz badge, the Mercedes Sprinter remains available; for those looking at Dodge branding, the historical Dodge Sprinter reflects a specific era of cross-brand collaboration. In today’s market, Mercedes-Benz continues to offer the Sprinter, while Ram ProMaster serves as the separate alternative in North America.
What engine is in a 2006 Dodge Sprinter?
A Mercedes-Benz 2.7-liter inline-five-cylinder turbo-diesel engine produces 154 horsepower and 243 pounds-feet of torque. A lever on the forward console controls the five-speed-automatic transmission. All-disc antilock brakes are standard.
Are all Sprinter vans made by Mercedes?
No, the name "Sprinter" was used by other brands in the past, but as of 2021, new Sprinter vans are sold exclusively by Mercedes-Benz. Historically, similar vans were sold under the Dodge and Freightliner names because Mercedes-Benz owned Chrysler (Dodge) and had a partnership with Freightliner. However, all new Sprinter vans on the market today are Mercedes-Benz products.
Historical context
- Past brand partners: Sprinter vans were previously sold under the Dodge and Freightliner brands in North America.
- Reason for rebranding: This was part of the relationship between Mercedes-Benz (Daimler) and Chrysler/Dodge, which is no longer active.
- Sole manufacturer: Since 2021, the Sprinter is solely a Mercedes-Benz product.
What this means for today's vans
- Exclusive to Mercedes-Benz: If you are buying a new Sprinter van today, it will be from Mercedes-Benz.
- No difference in the "old" vans: Older vans that were sold as Dodge or Freightliner Sprinters are mechanically identical to the Mercedes-Benz versions, with the only difference being the badge on the outside.
Are Dodge ProMaster and Mercedes Sprinter the same?
Camper Van Chassis Comparison. The RAM ProMaster and Mercedes Sprinter are nearly identical in most aspects crucial for Class B living, including interior space, fuel efficiency, and overall reliability.
Is a Dodge Sprinter the same as a Mercedes Sprinter?
Yes, a Dodge Sprinter is essentially the same as a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, with the primary difference being the badging. Mercedes-Benz manufactured the Sprinter and sold it under the Dodge name in the US for a period due to a partnership with DaimlerChrysler. The vehicles were built in Germany as complete knockdown (CKD) kits, shipped to the U.S., and reassembled with Dodge badges to avoid import tariffs on finished vehicles.
This video explains the background and history of Dodge and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans: 59sThe Benz Shop YouTube · Jun 8, 2025
- Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz is the original manufacturer of all Sprinter vans.
- Branding: During the partnership period, some Sprinter vans were sold with Dodge badging, while others were sold with Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner badges.
- Vehicle identity: Aside from the exterior badges and minor interior differences, the vehicles are identical, as they were all built in the same factory by Mercedes-Benz.
- Current status: The Dodge Sprinter line ended when the partnership dissolved, and today, the van is primarily marketed under the Mercedes-Benz name.
