The honest answer
The ProMaster's primary advantage is price. It costs significantly less to buy than a Sprinter — new or used — which means more budget left for the actual build. That's a real advantage, and for some customers it's the right call.
But most of our customers end up in a Sprinter. The diesel engine, resale value, AWD availability, and aftermarket ecosystem are harder to replicate. The ProMaster makes sense for specific situations. We'll walk through exactly when that is.
1. Price: The ProMaster's main advantage
This is the biggest real difference between the two platforms — and it shows up before you spend a dollar on conversion.
| Van | New (2025–2026 MSRP) | Typical Used Range |
|---|---|---|
| RAM ProMaster 2500 159" WB HR | ~$52,955 | $18K–$30K |
| Mercedes Sprinter 144" HR RWD | ~$54,380 | $28K–$45K |
| Mercedes Sprinter 170" HR RWD | ~$57,540 | $30K–$48K |
On a new van, the ProMaster's price advantage has narrowed — a Sprinter 144" HR RWD runs about $1,500 more than a comparable ProMaster 2500 HR. Where the savings really show up is on the used market, where a similar-year ProMaster typically runs $10,000–$15,000 less than a Sprinter at the same mileage. If your total budget for van plus build is fixed, the used-market gap is what will actually move the needle.
Sprinters also hold their value better in the used market, which works against you at purchase and for you at resale. ProMasters depreciate faster — you'll save on the buy but recover less when you sell.
2. Width and east-west sleeping
The ProMaster is noticeably wider inside — 75.6" max versus the Sprinter's 70". That 5.6" sounds small until you're trying to sleep east-west across the van.
A standard queen mattress is 60" wide. In a ProMaster, a 6-footer can sleep east-west with room on either side and full use of the floor. In a Sprinter at 70" stock, it's tight — you're either cramped or you're spending $2,300–$2,800 installed on Flarespace flares to widen the rear section. The ProMaster eliminates that cost and that compromise.
| Measurement | Sprinter HR | ProMaster HR | ProMaster Super HR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior height | 79" (6'7") | 76" (6'4") | 86" (7'2") |
| Interior width (max) | 70" | 75.6" | 75.6" |
| Load floor height | ~28–30" (RWD) | ~21" | ~21" |
| Cargo length (std body) | 133" (144" WB) / 173" (170" WB) | ~146" (12'2") | ~146" (12'2") |
The ProMaster also sits notably lower to the ground. Its load floor is about 21" off the ground — versus 28–30" on an RWD Sprinter. That makes getting in and out easier, which matters more than people expect on a daily driver.
On cargo length: the Sprinter 170" WB gives you 173" of cargo (14'5"), which beats the ProMaster's 146" (12'2") by over two feet. If you're planning a long layout with a permanent bed, kitchen, and bathroom all in a row, that extra length is real.
3. The Super High Roof option
The ProMaster offers a Super High Roof that adds 10 full inches of interior height — bringing it to 86" (7'2"). That's the tallest stock interior of any conversion van you can buy new today.
The current Sprinter (2019+) only comes in Standard Roof or High Roof. The "Super High Roof" Sprinter you might see referenced is a pre-2019 model — it no longer exists on the current generation.
For tall customers, or anyone who wants truly generous standing room after insulation, the ProMaster Super High Roof is a compelling option that the Sprinter simply can't match.
4. Gasoline vs. diesel
The ProMaster runs the 3.6L Pentastar V6 — a gasoline engine that's also in Jeeps, Dodge trucks, and countless other vehicles. Any shop can work on it, parts are everywhere, and there are no diesel emissions systems to manage (no DEF tank, no DPF filter, no glow plugs).
The current Sprinter (2023+) uses a 2.0L I4 turbo diesel producing 170 hp (211 hp in the High Output version). It's more fuel-efficient — roughly 18–22 MPG empty versus 14–18 for the ProMaster — but diesel engines come with more maintenance complexity, and not everyone wants that.
Some customers are "no diesel" from the start
Diesel availability varies by region, diesel prices can swing higher than gas, and some customers simply don't want the emissions system maintenance. If you've already decided you don't want a diesel, the ProMaster removes that concern entirely.
Real-world fuel economy after conversion drops on both platforms. Expect 15–18 MPG on a built Sprinter diesel and 12–15 MPG on a built ProMaster. The Sprinter saves fuel on long highway trips, but the ProMaster's lower service costs often cancel that out over time.
5. Where the Sprinter wins
If price isn't the deciding factor, the Sprinter has real advantages that are hard to match.
AWD availability
The current Sprinter (2023+) offers full-time AWD with a 50/50 torque split — factory-installed, no conversion needed. The ProMaster is FWD only, with no factory AWD or practical 4x4 option. If you're traveling to snowy mountain roads or remote terrain regularly, the Sprinter AWD is the clear choice.
Diesel longevity
Diesel engines are built for high mileage. Well-maintained Sprinters regularly reach 300,000–400,000+ miles. If you're planning full-time van life for years, the Sprinter's engine is genuinely more durable for sustained high-mileage use.
Resale value
Sprinters hold their value significantly better in the used market. If you build and sell — or know you'll upgrade in a few years — the Sprinter recovers more of your investment.
Aftermarket ecosystem
The Sprinter has the deepest aftermarket of any conversion van — fan roof adapters, Flarespace flares, modular racking systems, prebuilt cabinet kits, and thousands of documented builds. If you're doing any DIY work or want maximum parts availability down the road, the Sprinter wins.
Side-by-side summary
| Factor | Sprinter | ProMaster |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (new) | ~$54K–$58K (HR) | ~$45K ✓ |
| Interior height (HR) | 79" (6'7") ✓ | 76" HR / 86" Super HR |
| Interior width | 70" | 75.6" ✓ |
| Max cargo length | 173" (170" WB) ✓ | 146" (std body) |
| AWD available? | Yes (factory, 2023+) ✓ | No |
| Engine type | 2.0L I4 turbo diesel | 3.6L V6 gasoline |
| Fuel economy (empty) | 18–22 MPG ✓ | 14–18 MPG |
| Resale value | Strong ✓ | Moderate |
| Aftermarket support | Extensive ✓ | Growing |
| Load floor height | ~28–30" (RWD) | ~21" ✓ |
Who should choose which
Choose ProMaster if:
- • Budget is the primary constraint — you want more money left for the build
- • You prefer gasoline and want to skip diesel maintenance complexity
- • East-west sleeping without extra hardware is a priority for you
- • You want the Super High Roof (86"/7'2") — nothing else offers this stock
- • You don't need AWD capability
Choose Sprinter if:
- • You want AWD for snow, mountain roads, or remote travel
- • You're planning high mileage and want diesel longevity
- • Resale value matters — you may sell the build in a few years
- • You want the deepest aftermarket ecosystem for parts and accessories
- • You need the longer 170" WB layout (173" cargo length)
The bottom line
The ProMaster is a legitimate platform with real advantages — especially if budget, width, or a no-diesel preference is driving your decision. We build great conversions on ProMasters.
But for most customers, the Sprinter ends up being the right call. The diesel efficiency, AWD availability, resale value, and aftermarket depth are hard to argue with once total cost of ownership is on the table. If price isn't limiting you, start with the Sprinter.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sprinter or ProMaster better for a van conversion?
The Sprinter is our default recommendation for most customers. AWD availability, diesel longevity, stronger resale, and the deepest aftermarket ecosystem make it the more versatile platform over time. The ProMaster wins on three specific things: lowest sticker price, the widest interior at 75.6", and the only Super High Roof option (86" / 7'2" of standing room). If any of those drive your decision, the ProMaster is the right call.
How much cheaper is the ProMaster than the Sprinter?
On new vans the gap has narrowed — a Sprinter 144" HR RWD runs about $54,380 versus around $52,955 for a comparable ProMaster 2500 HR 159" WB. Where the savings really show up is on the used market, where a similar-year ProMaster typically runs $10K–$15K less than a Sprinter at the same mileage. Sprinters also hold their value better, so resale recovers more of the original cost.
Does the ProMaster come in AWD?
No. The ProMaster is FWD only — no factory AWD or 4x4 option from RAM, and practical aftermarket conversions are extremely rare. The Sprinter has offered AWD as a factory option since 2015 (full-time AWD with 50/50 torque split as of 2023). If you need all-wheel traction, the Sprinter is the clear choice.
Which van has more interior space?
It depends on dimension. The ProMaster is wider (75.6" vs Sprinter's 70" max) and offers the tallest interior with its Super High Roof at 86" (7'2"). The Sprinter wins on length: the 170" WB Extended gives 189" of cargo length versus the ProMaster's 146" standard body or ~160" extended. Width matters most for east-west sleeping; length matters most for long permanent layouts.
How reliable is the Sprinter diesel?
Mercedes diesel engines have a strong reliability record. The 3.0L V6 turbo diesel (OM642) in 2019–2022 Sprinters is widely documented running 250,000–450,000+ miles with proper maintenance. The current 2.0L I4 diesel (2023+) is newer but from the same Mercedes diesel lineage. The tradeoff is higher maintenance complexity (DEF system, DPF filter, turbo) and Mercedes labor rates.
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