Today Show Presents First Review of Chevy Volt in...
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2009 Dodge Sprinter Wagon Performance Review

September 30, 2009

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

it gets fuel economy in the mid-20s
Edmunds

modest horsepower but plenty of weight-moving torque
Kelley Blue Book

surprisingly tight turning circle
ConsumerGuide

The 2009 Dodge Sprinter Wagon offers incredible fuel efficiency—though at the price of remarkable performance.

The Sprinter Wagon is powered by a 3.0-liter CDI turbodiesel V-6 that makes 154 horsepower, along with an impressive 280 pound-feet of torque. It delivers plentiful torque to the rear wheels through a smooth-shifting five-speed automatic transmission that comes with a manual-shift mode.

ConsumerGuide feels the "gutsy turbodiesel provides ample around-town power, even with a moderate load, though highway passing power is just adequate." Edmunds cites the irony in the Dodge's name; with the diesel, "a dearth of horsepower leaves it with extremely sluggish passing response at higher speeds—ironic, considering the van's name."

The EPA does not publish fuel economy figures for the 2009 Dodge Sprinter, but most reviewers seem impressed when comparing average consumption to that of competing vans. ConsumerGuide tests a turbodiesel that "proved impressively frugal, averaging 18.4 mpg." Edmunds reports of the diesel version, "it gets fuel economy in the mid-20s."

The ride is a bit choppy, but handling is surprisingly nimble for such a tall vehicle. Once you get used to the odd driving position, the 2009 Dodge Sprinter feels quite maneuverable for those accustomed to driving large sport-utility vehicles or other vans. Edmunds echoes the consensus when it notes that the 2009 Dodge Sprinter "handles more like a midsize SUV than a plumber's van," then adds that this attribute isn't surprising since the van "was designed to navigate Europe's cramped streets." Credit for the relatively agile handling goes to Mercedes, which Edmunds says "engineered the stability control system to compensate for the taller center of gravity and shifting cargo loads."

Kelley Blue Book commends the 2009 Dodge because "despite its long chassis, the Sprinter possesses a tight turning radius and responds quickly to emergency maneuvers." ConsumerGuide, however, warns that the Sprinter's "high seating and copious lean in corners results in a tipsy attitude that takes some getting used to."

Conclusion

The 2009 Dodge Sprinter Wagon gets admirable fuel economy. Power and handling are so-so but acceptable.

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:it gets fuel economy in the mid-20sEdmundsmodest horsepower but plenty of weight-moving torqueKelley Blue Booksurprisingly tight turning circleConsumerGuide The 2009 Dodge Sprinter Wagon offers incredible fuel efficiency—though at the price of remarkable performance. The Sprinter Wagon is powered by a 3.0-liter CDI turbodiesel V-6 that makes 154 horsepower, along with an impressive 280 pound-feet of torque. It delivers plentiful torque to the rear wheels through a smooth-shifting five-speed automatic transmission that comes with a manual-shift mode. ConsumerGuide feels the "gutsy turbodiesel provides ample around-town power, even with a moderate load, though highway passing power is just adequate." Edmunds cites the irony in the Dodge's name; with the diesel, "a dearth of horsepower leaves it with extremely sluggish passing response at higher speeds—ironic, considering the van's name." The EPA does not publish fuel economy figures for the 2009 Dodge Sprinter, but most reviewers seem impressed when comparing average consumption to that of competing vans. ConsumerGuide tests a turbodiesel that "proved impressively frugal, averaging 18.4 mpg." Edmunds reports of the diesel version, "it gets fuel economy in the mid-20s." The ride is a bit choppy, but handling is surprisingly nimble for such a tall vehicle. Once you get used to the odd driving position, the 2009 Dodge Sprinter feels quite maneuverable for those accustomed to driving large sport-utility vehicles or other vans. Edmunds echoes the consensus when it notes that the 2009 Dodge Sprinter "handles more like a midsize SUV than a plumber's van," then adds that this attribute isn't surprising since the van "was designed to navigate Europe's cramped streets." Credit for the relatively agile handling goes to Mercedes, which Edmunds says "engineered the stability control system to compensate for the taller center of gravity and shifting cargo loads." Kelley Blue Book commends the 2009 Dodge because "despite its long chassis, the Sprinter possesses a tight turning radius and responds quickly to emergency maneuvers." ConsumerGuide, however, warns that the Sprinter's "high seating and copious lean in corners results in a tipsy attitude that takes some getting used to." ConclusionThe 2009 Dodge Sprinter Wagon gets admirable fuel economy. Power and handling are so-so but acceptable. 2009 DODGE SPRINTER WAGON STYLING | [4 out of 10] Edmunds: "radically sloped front end, long wheelbase and tall body make it look like a good Adam Vinatieri kick could knock it over" Car and Driver: "a box on wheels" Kelley Blue Book: "isn't likely to win any beauty pageants" The ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Sprinter offers far more interior space than the standard-wheelbase GM and Ford vans. Each of the full-size van models from Ford and General Motors have a harder, busier ride than the 2009 Dodge Sprinter Wagon; they don't steer as well as the Sprinter and lack its maneuverability. For 2009, the full-size GM vans (Express and Savana) have standard electronic stability control, but the feature is available on only some of the Ford lineup. Fuel economy, of course, is where there's no comparison. While the V-6 and V-8 engines of the GM and Ford models return fuel economy numbers in the mid-teens in most driving, the Sprinter gets mileage numbers well into the 20s.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2009 Dodge Sprinter Wagon from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2009 Dodge Sprinter Wagon

Check Financing Rates

for the 2009 Dodge Sprinter Wagon

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2009 Dodge Sprinter Wagon near you

See the Dodge Sprinter Wagon in Other Years:

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

Comments (0 total)

Be the first to post a comment

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy