I had been contemplating replacing our Eurovan with something larger, especially after my one son's spinal fusion surgery meant he sat about an inch taller in his wheelchair and was now past the height limits of the side door without having to duck his head. And this is difficult when your spine no longer bends. Plus, while it was *possible" to secure both boys' wheelchairs in the Eurovan, it was a tight fit and it took up all of the floor area aft of the front seats.
So I started shopping new vans. The full size van list in this country is made up of an array of very different vehicles, with various pros and cons.
Ford Transit
Ram Promaster (Fiat Ducato in disguise)
Mercedes Sprinter
Nissan NV
GM G-van (Chevrolet Express/GMC Savanna)
Nissan got ruled out right away: no diesel, and body on frame design lifted from the Titan pickup meant its interior volume is very poor, and it would require the higher roof to accommodate the wheelchair lift.
G-van got ruled out: no high roof option, like the NV just giant gas engines* available, and body on frame still meant cramped interior (*the 2.8L 4 cyl diesel as used in the Colorado/Canyon became available later).
Promaster got ruled out because it would also require the tall roof option AND Fiat does not sell a "factory" passenger version here, just a cargo van with windows... I would have had to send it to a third party upfitter for the rest of the interior aft of the B-pillars. Its diesel engine was also an added cost option (zero chance I was going to get one with leftover minivan Pentastar/6T powertrain, LMAO).
Transit got ruled out last because like the Promaster, it was also going to require the taller roof option as well as added cost diesel engine, although Ford DOES offer a nicely fitted passenger version... although I might add it is almost *too* nice inside... like carpeting which I did not want.
So, it ended where it started with the Sprinter, which based on experience of servicing all the above mentioned vehicles was going to be my first choice anyway. Standard diesel engine. Standard roof height easily inhaled the wheelchair lift with zero modifications to the body. And even in its smallest configuration, it still affords enough room to leave the first three position rear seat in place while having plenty of room for the lift and both wheelchairs lashed down.
My younger son only got the chance to ride in it a few times before he passed away, but at least we did get some time to go places comfortably in it.
It gets between 24 and 28 MPG, and that is driving with little regards for fuel economy. Usually 75+ on the highway. It is speed limited to about 83 mph but could probably tag 100 with ease. It only spins 100 RPMs faster at 80 than my BHW Passat does (so slower than an ALH car at the same speed).
The new Sprinter, which came out in 2019, graced the V6 diesel with the same 7sp automatic my 4 cyl has (they formerly used a 5sp) so I am sure their fuel economy is better than before, but likely not as good as this.
I think Dieselgate really hampered a lot of interest in diesels in general. A modest output torquey 4 cyl diesel would be a great option in a base model full sized pickup.
).