Which Mercedes class is the best? — explained

Mercedes-Benz produces various cars, ranging from comparably affordable sub-compact to luxurious sedans. You have probably looked at Mercedes as a brand with too many models. Definitely, Mercedes has a good number of classes and sub-vehicles in each category, making it difficult for most buyers to decide on what to buy.

Deciding which Mercedes class is the best depends on one’s needs. For instance, the S-Class is the best when talking about the technology and luxury it provides; however, we’d give it to the E-Class when considering reliability.

Similarly, on account of performance, the E-Class is the best overall since it offers various engine options. So, you can only decide on the best vehicle based on a particular angle of view that satisfies your current need.

This article will take you through the various Mercedes classes and provide the best class in terms of performance, reliability, technology, etc.

How many Mercedes classes are there?

Mercedes has a long lineup of classes with five core models always included in the naming terminology. These include the entry-level A-Class, B-Class, C-Class, E-Class, and S-Class. Before we dive into deciding the best in certain aspects, let us take a brief look at each of these Mercedes classes:

Mercedes A-Class

The Mercedes A-Class is an entry-level subcompact car whose fourth generation debuted for the 2018 model year. Mercedes offers this model in both FWD and 4Matic AWD versions, with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, which produces 188 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Body type:

• Sedan

Models:

• A 220
• A 220 4Matic
• AMG A35

Engines:

• 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four

Mercedes B-Class

The Mercedes B-Class is a luxury car available as a four-door sedan. The B-Class is available with a four-cylinder engine with 122 horsepower. Also, it has a maximum torque of about 148 lb-ft.

Body type:

• Hatchback

Models:

• B 180
• B 200
• B 200d
• B 200 AMG
• B 200d AMG

Engines:

• 1.5-liter, 1.7-liter, and 2.0-liter inline-four

Mercedes C-Class

The Mercedes C-class is a compact car, available as a four-door sedan, a two-door soft-top convertible, and a two-door coupe. The C-Class is available with a four, six, or eight-cylinder engine, with 255, 385, and 469-503 horsepower. This class’s AMG C 63 S is a small, powerful beast, able to run 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds.

Body styles:

• Sedan
• Coupe
• Cabriolet

Models:

• C 300
• C 300 4Matic
• AMG C 43
• AMG C 63
• AMG C 63 S

Engines:

• 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four
• 2.0-liter turbocharged V6
• 4.0-liter turbocharged V8

Mercedes E-Class

The Mercedes E-Class is a midsize vehicle, with a step higher in price and size than the C-Class. In the U.S., the E-Class is sold as a sedan, coupe, wagon, or convertible and supports a four, six, or eight-cylinder engine. Vehicles in the E-Class are geared toward comfort and sophistication, with Mercedes describing its design aesthetic as “sensual purity.”

Body type:

• Coupe
• Cabriolet
• Wagon
• Sedan

Models:

• E 350 (Sedan)
• E 350 4Matic (Sedan)
• E 350 (Coupe, Cabriolet)
• E 350 4Matic (Coupe, Cabriolet, Sedan)
• E 350 4Matic All-Terrain(Wagon)
• AMG E 53 4Matic (Coupe, Cabriolet, Sedan)
• AMG E 63 S 4Matic (Sedan, Wagon)

Engine:

• 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four
• 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six w/EQ boost
• 4.0-liter turbocharged V8

Mercedes S-Class

The Mercedes S-Class is a flagship tour de force full-size sedan with advanced technological specifications. This Mercedes class comes with three options, each with 4Matic AWD. It also features a six- and eight-cylinder engine, which generates 429 and 496 hp, respectively. Additionally, both engines are supplemented by a 48-volt hybrid system with a 9-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic AWD.

Body type:

• Sedan
• Coupe
• Cabriolet

Models:

• S 500 4Matic (Sedan)
• S 580 $Matic (Sedan)
• S  560 4Matic (Coupe)
• S 560 (Cabriolet)
• S 63 AMG 4Matic (Coupe)
• Maybach S580 4Matic (Sedan)
• S 63 AMG 4Matic (Cabriolet)

What Mercedes class is the best overall?

The E-Class is the overall best class of Mercedes. Being a full-size luxury sedan, it can function in a versatile manner as a family or an executive vehicle, and it works well in both situations.

With many body styles, the E-Class can be used as a standard sedan, convertible, coupe, or wagon. The best part is that you can still have the AMG trim, your family car, and your luggage hauler intact.

Its newer models have a drivetrain that you can switch from all-wheel-drive to rear-wheel-drive, making the vehicle capable in slippery and wet conditions. The E-Class can do all these while offering the S-Class level of luxury to go with it. Interestingly, its price puts it closer to the C-Class than the S-Class.

What Mercedes class is the best in performance?

The Mercedes E-Class is the best in performance, offering a variety of engine configurations, with the 4.0 twin-turbo V8 being the most powerful. This class’s AMG E 63 S 4Matic model has 639 hp with a 0-60 mph time of 2.8 seconds. Although older class models are a bit slower, the same class-leading performance remains true, regardless of the generation. This simply makes you wonder about how fast a Lamborghini goes, and it’s no surprise that some AMG versions can go pretty close to such supercars.

The E-Class blends the exceptional handling of the C-Class and the remarkable luxury of the S-Class with excellent power levels that outperform both. Although the S-Class offers more power in comparable trims, it is geared towards more comfort than speed.

What Mercedes class is the best in affordability?

The entry-level A-Class is the most affordable Mercedes class and the cheapest to buy, maintain and insure. It may not be the most reliable vehicle, but it costs less to own, unlike the more expensive models.

An entry-level A-Class would cost around $33,950, while the C-Class would cost about $41,600. That is almost an $8,000 difference between both cars. This significant price advantage allows you to cross-shop between other non-expensive brands in this price range. The maintenance cost for this class is reasonable compared to the rest.

Additionally, the cost of insuring vehicles from this class is lower than others. The average national insurance cost for an A-Class Mercedes is $1, 786 which is lower when compared with rates from other brands. 

What Mercedes class is the best in reliability?

The Mercedes E-Class has proven to be the most reliable vehicle in the Mercedes lineup. However, the cars in the E-Class are not the cheapest to repair when things go wrong. The Mercedes E-Class family has been considered one of the most reliable used luxury vehicles in the market, particularly the E30.

What Mercedes class is the best in technology?

The Mercedes S-Class is a class leader when discussing technology, even among competitors. Most technological advancements are fitted on the S-Class before trickling down to less expensive classes.

Manufacturers frequently test their best and latest technologies on their most pricey models. For Mercedes, this goes to the S-Class; blind spot assists, voice command, massage seats, cruise control, etc.

All of these features are standard on most Mercedes vehicles; however, if there are any improvements, the S-Class would be the first to have it before other classes. WIth the new technology, we also have electric Mercedes models that made many Merc fans wonder – are electric cars worth it?

What Mercedes class is the best in luxury?

Manufacturers always make their top trim the most luxurious. For Mercedes, absolute luxury belongs to the S-Class, and it is hard to beat, even when compared with vehicles from other brands.

Mercedes has been a groundbreaking automaker from its onset, leading the competition in technology and innovation. The S-Class is the luxury peak for Mercedes, which has been undisputed for years.

Its interior is decorated with the finest leather, cabin material, and first-class build quality. Its wood inlays, metal finish, and entire layout give drivers an air of grandeur and comfort. Additionally, it features a range of ambient colors you could choose from, for your current mood.

The 2021 S-Class comes with infotainment that boasts some best industry tech. It features an expansive center display that cuts across the entire dashboard and console, with nearly no physical buttons. The vehicle recognizes your head and body movement and adjusts its functions depending on your focus.

Furthermore, this class features a standard 15-speaker Burmester sound system with an optional 30-speaker setup for a more refined sound experience. The S-Class also has other luxury features like quad-zone climate control, sunroof, etc.; the intriguing part is that most of these features are standard on the S-Class.

What Mercedes class is the best in safety?

Again, the S-Class would be the car of choice, owing to its advanced technologies and safety features. However, we could still give the E-Class a chance, as it offers almost every safety feature provided by the S-Class in a slightly small and more affordable package.

Our take

There you have it, the core Mercedes classes and the best-performing class in certain areas. As earlier mentioned, a Mercedes class might be the best choice for a particular circumstance and vice versa. Therefore, when selecting a vehicle, you should consider certain areas like affordability, reliability, technology, luxury, etc.