KansasCity.com's view

Form follows function, and even though the commercial Dodge Sprinter is a big box, it functions so well that many will see it with rapturous eyes.

The civilian Sprinter appeals to a small cadre of folks who have huge families, do lots of carpooling or need to carry a bunch of gear. Fill this big box with people and things, and it functions so well that its commercial-van styling grows on you.

Two years ago, I drove a Sprinter up and down the back roads of Iowa on a bicycle trip. It carried four people, four bicycles and enough camping gear for a week. It was absolutely the perfect vehicle for such a trip. The new model is, unbelievably, larger and more powerful.

Deciding which model best suits your needs isn’t easy because there are so many choices. You can choose between a 144-inch and 170-inch wheelbase and three overall lengths. There are three roof heights, the tallest of which provides 84 inches, or 7 feet, of work space.

The Sprinter is sold by Mercedes-Benz in Europe and by Dodge and Freightliner in this country. It has a 3.0-liter, V-6 diesel engine that produces 154 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque or a 3.5-liter V-6 gasoline engine with 254 horsepower. The test truck had the gasoline engine. Trucks over 8,500 pounds do not have Environmental Protection Agency mileage ratings, but the onboard computer showed I was getting about 14 miles per gallon in the city.

The diesel engine would be my pick because it produces gobs of low-end torque and it should be thriftier than the gasoline engine. The standard transmission is a five-speed automatic that can be shifted manually.

Although the Sprinter looks big and bulky, it drives like a smaller vehicle. The 144.3-inch wheelbase is not much longer than a full-size pickup. Short front and rear overhangs enhance maneuverability. The turning circle was commendably small.

The sliding side door is long to ease loading large items through the side. The test truck’s sliding door rattled unmercifully, however, and its sound would be maddening on a long trip.

The huge back doors can swing all the way around and fasten to the side of the truck with magnetic latches. The cargo floor is fairly far off the ground.

Getting into the cab was a two-step process made easier by using the steering wheel as a grab handle. The front bucket seats were quite comfortable for long hours on the road, and they had a wide range of adjustments. Each front seat also has an adjustable inboard armrest.

The second, third and fourth rows of seats have three-point seat belts, and each seat is removable for carrying loads.

The upright driving position felt unusual at first, but it soon became second nature. The panoramic view out of the massive windshield was helpful for negotiating tight spots, and many places seemed tight because the Sprinter is 79.7 inches wide.

The electrically adjustable outside mirrors were large. Small, convex sections give a peek at the space alongside the vehicle.

The test truck was equipped with a long list of convenience items. The heating/cooling and audio controls were typically German, which means some of the symbols were rather cryptic.

Safety has been addressed with dual front airbags, traction control, anti-lock brakes and electronic vehicle stability control.

The Sprinter van is intended primarily for commercial applications, and a number of companies build camper conversions. But if you take your recreation seriously or have a large family, this slant-nosed Dodge just might be for you.

Price The base price of our test van was $34,350. The list of options was very long, but major ones included an upgraded audio with six-disc CD player, bi-xenon headlights, power sunroof, heated front seats, side front airbags, heavy-duty rear air conditioning, ten-passenger seating and an auxiliary rear heater. The sticker price was $44,750.

Warranty Three years or 36,000 miles.