Mercedes-Benz Cars
The Mercedes-Benz brand came along in 1925 with the birth of the iconic three-pointed star. However, the brand can trace its roots back even further to 1886 with Karl Benz and the Benz Patent Motorwagen - the world's first automobile.
Today, Mercedes-Benz is famous the world over as a brand that represents luxury, prestige, premium, high performance and of course class, with their motto being 'Defining class since 1886'. It fits perfectly, then, that Mercedes-Benz models follow a class nomenclature, where they are identified by their letter, helping consumers also identify their position in the Mercedes-Benz range.
Mercedes-Benz models go up in order of size, and stature, by how far along in the alphabet they are. Audi uses a similar naming convention, with letters and numbers (A1, A3 etc) whilst BMW use numbers (1 Series, 3 Series etc).
The Mercedes-Benz classes, and types of Mercedes, are explained in more detail below.
Contents
A-Class
Just like the alphabet, Mercedes-Benz kicks off their range with the letter A. Therefore, the entry-level car in the Mercedes-Benz range is the A-Class, which can be purchased as a hatchback or saloon.
It is the most compact model in the range in terms of size, and therefore is the most affordable. Of course, you can spec an A-Class to be more expensive than other models in the Mercedes-Benz range, but in terms of base models, the A-Class is the first on the ladder when it comes to types of Mercedes-Benz models.
You get a 5-doors and 370-litre boot in the hatchback, or 420 litres and 4-doors in the saloon version. The interior is full of state-of-the art features, and despite being the 'entry-level' model, it was the first car to features Mercedes-Benz's new digital infotainment set-up.
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Need something slightly larger? Then, the B-Class could well be more fitting to you. It is more of an MPV, and therefore is not as sleek as the A-Class, but does provide that little bit extra practicality, if that is more of what you need.
Therefore, you also get more practicality, with a 445-litre boot coming as standard, along with 5-doors. Interiors feature the digital vibe, as showcased in the more compact A-Class, but the B-Class is for those who want the Mercedes-Benz class and quality, just in a more practical package.
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The C-Class is an icon of the Mercedes-Benz range, and was actually the entry-level model from its introduction in 1993, until the first A-Class came along in 1997. Interestingly, the A-Class was an MPV before it changed to a hatchback from 2012 onwards, with saloon versions coming along in 2018.
It is worth noting that the C-Class legacy proceeds to its 1993 birth, with the W201 in which the C-Class replaced, setting the foundation since the early 1980s, going wheel-to-wheel with the BMW 3 Series (E30).
Either way, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class made a name for itself as an iconic saloon car. It then offered a Coupé, Cabriolet and Estate version later in life, which are essentially just the C-Class in different guises, appealing to different buyers.
Today, the C-Class saloon remains, with the other body styles being offered in slightly different guises which overlap the C and E-Class models.
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The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is essentially a larger C-Class, first being offered as a saloon, before you could also get Estate, Coupé and Cabriolet versions too.
Again, the E-Class offers that bit more space than the C-Class, and again started off as a saloon, which is predominantly what it is today. The Mercedes-Benz CLE now takes the stage of a sort of mix of the C-Class and E-Class Coupé models, along with the CLA with bridges the cap between the A, C and E-Class. This of course is due to consumer buying habits changing.
Either way, a new or used E-Class of any era is a still a fine, practical, and larger model in the Mercedes-Benz range.
Search New E-Class Search Used E-ClassG-Class/SUV Classes
The first ever Mercedes-Benz SUV was the iconic G-Class, otherwise known as the G-Wagen, which came along in 1979.
It has stood the test of time and is still made today, with the original silhouette still looking almost identical to the original. Of course, it has had a few styling additions, and the interior now sports a cutting-edge digital showcase. Think of the G-Wagen as one of those old houses you see, full of character and design, which has been bought up to speed with all the modern touches inside.
Of course, as time has gone on, SUVs have become hugely popular, and now the Mercedes-Benz SUV range is full of a wide range of models which can again be identified firstly by the G in their name, taking after the iconic G-Class, along with the letter L and then either A, B, C, E or S. This is so the consumer can see where it sits in terms of size and features in the range, mirroring the cars.
Therefore, a GLC for example acts as a C-Class, but in SUV terms, whilst the GLA is the most compact, like its A-Class sibling, just in SUV form.
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This is where the Mercedes-Benz range skips quite a few letters, and goes to the letter S, giving the S-Class. Why? Put simply, S-Class stands for 'Special Class'. It is the epitome of class, luxury, status and cutting-edge technology.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class was introduced in 1972 (1954 if you count the predecessor W180) and was a trailblazer in offering state-of-the-art technology first, with other manufacturers then copying in their models.
For this reason, lots of S-Class models are used for chauffeuring and the like. They are rather like the E-Class in terms of size, but present a sleeker appearance.
If you are after the textbook, range-topping saloon in the Mercedes-Benz range, look no further than the hugely impressive S-Class.
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Taking things even further in the alphabet with the Mercedes-Benz V-Class - the most practical Benz of them all, in terms of people moving and luxury travel, being able to accommodate up to nine people, including the driver.
Effectively, the V-Class is a luxury MPV ideal for those who have a lot of people to move, but can do so in complete luxury, and again, like the S-Class, the V-Class is used a lot by chauffeur companies and the like.
And, Marco Polo versions essentially replace the seats with a living area, turning your V-Class into a luxury camping vehicle; a home from home.
Search New V-Class Search Used V-ClassElectric/Hybrid Classes
Electric models are much more commonplace than they once were. And of course, to keep things simple, the electric and hybrid Mercedes-Benz models follow their sole fuel counterparts, in having an alphabetical nomenclature.
Due to demand of SUVs, many electric Mercedes-EQ models are SUVs, with the likes of the EQA, EQB and EQE SUV, although there is also an EQE Saloon and EQV, the latter being the electric version of the V-Class.
Search New Electric/Hybrid Search Used Electric/HybridAMG Classes
Mercedes-AMG models are the range-topping high performance models in the Mercedes family. Mercedes-Benz models are the go-to for luxury, whilst Mercedes-AMG models concentrate on sheer performance. These models offer your typical Mercedes-Benz luxury, quality, and prestige, just more performance based.
AMG models will ride a lot firmer, due to their sharper chassis, larger wheels and more dynamic demure. They can be identified in the same way as their Mercedes-Benz siblings. Therefore, you will see the Mercedes-AMG A-Class and Mercedes-AMG C-Class for example - and then their full name, for example Mercedes-AMG Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ Plus (The A lets you know it is a member of the A-Class range).
AMG models are based on their Mercedes-Benz counterparts, but tend to feature wider arches, bodystyling, spoilers and aero features that make them stand out more dynamically. Their performance is also enhanced significantly.
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No matter which Mercedes-Benz Class model you have your eye on, whether it be a new or used Mercedes-Benz, as official Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-EQ and Mercedes-AMG retailers, Stratstone can help you find your perfect model, and help you look after it with official aftersales support, too.
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