The 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt: A Very Competent...
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

2008 Dodge Sprinter Quality Review

September 30, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Mercedes build-quality
Edmunds

interior cabin exhibits few rattles, even over rough pavement
Kelley Blue Book

A more useful, practical big van doesn’t exist.
Car and Driver

The 2008 Dodge Sprinter Wagon achieves the nearly impossible, making "full-size van" and "comfort" virtually synonymous, according to reviews read by TheCarConnection.com. As Car and Driver reports, “A more useful, practical big van doesn't exist.”

The 2008 Dodge Sprinter Wagon comes in two different wheelbases--144 and 170 inches--with the 144-inch (233 inches long) model quite maneuverable in the city. Two different roof heights are available as well. Also, three different seating configurations are offered in the 2008 Dodge Sprinter Wagon, with 9-, 10-, and 12-passenger capacities in up to four rows of seating.

As in other full-size vans, the driver and front passenger sit perched high over the front wheels. Behind the front seats, the Sprinter Wagon is as close to a box as you're likely to find in a vehicle. Properly configured, it can seat up to 12 people, and it features sliding doors on both sides. With the seats removed, the Sprinter's tall roof allows awe-inspiring cargo capacity.

A big step up from the usual SUV or minivan, the Dodge Sprinter Wagon can hold an entire soccer team. With "seating for 12 passengers" or room for "a rolling workshop with a ceiling high enough to allow someone over six feet tall to work while standing upright," Kelley Blue Book is impressed with the 2008 Sprinter's "massive cargo bay" and the "wide variety of configurations"--also mentioned in almost every article reviewed by TheCarConnection.com.

Edmunds.com adds that "four front seat styles with multiple adjustments ensure decent comfort, and overall ergonomics give the impression of driving an SUV instead of a gigantic van." For passengers, a "high roof in standard models means endless headroom and easy entry and exit," says ConsumerGuide, "although testers found flat seats uncomfortable for long rides." They added, though, “available pneumatic seats effectively provide additional cushioning for driver and front passenger.”

Edmunds gives kudos to the Sprinter’s “Mercedes build quality.” Kelley Blue Book praises it as well, saying "the interior cabin exhibits few rattles, even over rough pavement." However, from the command position behind the wheel, "reaching some less-used switch gear requires a stretch," says ConsumerGuide.

Conclusion

The 2008 Dodge Sprinter Wagon is remarkably comfortable and exceptionally spacious—and well built, too.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:Mercedes build-qualityEdmundsinterior cabin exhibits few rattles, even over rough pavementKelley Blue BookA more useful, practical big van doesn’t exist.Car and Driver The 2008 Dodge Sprinter Wagon achieves the nearly impossible, making "full-size van" and "comfort" virtually synonymous, according to reviews read by TheCarConnection.com. As Car and Driver reports, “A more useful, practical big van doesn't exist.” The 2008 Dodge Sprinter Wagon comes in two different wheelbases--144 and 170 inches--with the 144-inch (233 inches long) model quite maneuverable in the city. Two different roof heights are available as well. Also, three different seating configurations are offered in the 2008 Dodge Sprinter Wagon, with 9-, 10-, and 12-passenger capacities in up to four rows of seating. As in other full-size vans, the driver and front passenger sit perched high over the front wheels. Behind the front seats, the Sprinter Wagon is as close to a box as you're likely to find in a vehicle. Properly configured, it can seat up to 12 people, and it features sliding doors on both sides. With the seats removed, the Sprinter's tall roof allows awe-inspiring cargo capacity. A big step up from the usual SUV or minivan, the Dodge Sprinter Wagon can hold an entire soccer team. With "seating for 12 passengers" or room for "a rolling workshop with a ceiling high enough to allow someone over six feet tall to work while standing upright," Kelley Blue Book is impressed with the 2008 Sprinter's "massive cargo bay" and the "wide variety of configurations"--also mentioned in almost every article reviewed by TheCarConnection.com. Edmunds.com adds that "four front seat styles with multiple adjustments ensure decent comfort, and overall ergonomics give the impression of driving an SUV instead of a gigantic van." For passengers, a "high roof in standard models means endless headroom and easy entry and exit," says ConsumerGuide, "although testers found flat seats uncomfortable for long rides." They added, though, “available pneumatic seats effectively provide additional cushioning for driver and front passenger.” Edmunds gives kudos to the Sprinter’s “Mercedes build quality.” Kelley Blue Book praises it as well, saying "the interior cabin exhibits few rattles, even over rough pavement." However, from the command position behind the wheel, "reaching some less-used switch gear requires a stretch," says ConsumerGuide. ConclusionThe 2008 Dodge Sprinter Wagon is remarkably comfortable and exceptionally spacious—and well built, too.  2008 DODGE SPRINTER WAGON STYLING | [4 out of 10] Car and Driver: "a box on wheels" Edmunds: "give[s] the impression that a strong breeze could make it tip over like a boozed-up co-ed" Kelley Blue Book: "isn't likely to win any beauty pageants" The Sprinter Wagon is Dodge's ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

Each of the full-size van models from Ford and General Motors have a harder, busier ride than the 2008 Dodge Sprinter Wagon; they don't steer as well as the Sprinter and lack its maneuverability. The Sprinter offers far more interior space than the standard-wheelbase GM and Ford vans. For 2008, 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:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Dodge Sprinter

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Dodge Sprinter

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Dodge Sprinter near you

See the Dodge Sprinter 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