2006 Dodge Sprinter: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Dodge's utility van is intended for commercial use, though both cargo and passenger versions are offered in the US. Sprinter is rear-wheel drive and based on a van sold in Europe as a Mercedes-Benz. All Sprinters have two front doors, a sliding side door on the passenger side, and swing-out rear doors. A sliding driver-side door is available. Cargo models seat two and come in 2500 and 3500 models. Passengers seat up to 10 and are 2500s only. Available wheelbase lengths include 118, 140, and 158 inches, depending on model selection. Also available are versions with a "super high ceiling" that are 9 inches taller than base high ceiling models.

The sole powertrain teams a 154-hp turbodiesel 5-cyl engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission. ABS is standard on all Sprinters. An antiskid system is standard on 2500s, unavailable on 3500s. Front side airbags and curtain side airbags are not offered. A wireless cell phone link is newly available.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Full-size vans are holdovers from a long-gone era. They are truck-based boxes on wheels that can carry up to 15 passengers or loads of cargo. Though they aren't very fuel efficient, they offer vast cargo holds and are often the choice for contractors and airport shuttle services.

Our Best Buys are the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana. Our Recommended pick is the Ford Econoline.