Are Mercedes Good Cars?

With innovation and excellent engineering in mind, it’s no wonder that Mercedes-Benz makes some of the best luxury cars on the market.
Written by Tiffany Leung
Reviewed by Julian de Sevilla
Mercedes-Benz cars have an average rating of 8.1/10 on Edmunds.com and 8.5/10 on Car and Driver. These high ratings confirm that Mercedes makes some exceptional luxury cars that are hard to rival.
When people think of luxury cars,
Mercedes-Benz
is one of the top brands that comes to mind. This luxury car giant is not only a master of innovation but also pursues quality and engineering excellence relentlessly. With over 270,000 car units sold in the US in 2021, it’s hard to dismiss that Mercedes are good cars! 
To understand what makes these cars so good,
car insurance
comparison super app
Jerry
has gathered all the important information, from Mercedes’ strengths and weaknesses to the brand’s reliability and cost of ownership. 

Are Mercedes good cars? 

Karl Friedrich Benz, a German engine designer and automotive engineer, created the first internal combustion engine in a car. This innovation fueled the engineering genius that the Mercedes brand is now known for. Over the decades, Mercedes-Benz has introduced safety and electronic features that became industry standards.
Mercedes’ vehicles signify luxury and prestige, and their prices reflect that. While other luxury automakers like Audi and BMW are competing in the same market, Mercedes has carved out a segment of loyal customers. This is all thanks to the ingenuity that comes with each model they make and the wide selection that is available to suit any type of driver. 
Here are fifteen of the most popular Mercedes models on the market as of 2022:
Model
Starting price
Years
Vehicle type
Edmunds.com rating
Car and Driver rating
A-Class
$33,950
1997 to present
Hatchback and sedan
8.4/10
8/10
AMG GT
$118,600
2014 to present
Sports car
7.4/10
8.5/10
AMG SL
$178,100
2022
Sports car
8.1/10
8.5/10
C-Class
$43,550
1993 to present
Sedan and wagon
7.6/10
8.5/10
CLA
$38,200
2013 to present
Sedan and wagon
N/A
8/10
CLS
$72,950
2004 to present
Sedan
8.3/10
8/10
E-Class
$54,950
1953 to present
Sedan, coupe and wagon
8.4/10
9/10
EQS
$102,310
2021 to present
Sedan
8.2/10
8.5/10
G-Class
$131,750
1979 to present
Crossover SUV
7/10
8/10
GLA
$36,400
2013 to present
Crossover SUV
7.9/10
8.5/10
GLB
$38,600
2019 to present
Crossover SUV
8.1/10
8.5/10
GLC
$43,850
2015 to present
Crossover SUV
8.2/10
8.5/10
GLE
$56,150
1997 to present
Crossover SUV
8.4/10
8/10
GLS
$77,850
2006 to present
Crossover SUV
8.6/10
9/10
S-Class
$111,100
1954 to present
Sedan
8.5/10
9.5/10
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Did you know? The Mercedes-Benz GLE, GLC, and C-Class were the brand’s best-sellers in 2021, with 65,074; 51,805; and 30,815 units sold respectively. 

Are Mercedes reliable?

Looking at how often a car breaks down and how affordable and easy the repairs are will give you a good picture of how reliable it is. Other factors that add to a brand’s reliability include comprehensive warranties, low repair costs, and little to no recalls over the car’s lifetime. 
Mercedes may not make the most reliable vehicles on the road, considering that the brand scored 40/100 and ranked 20th out of 26 major automaker brands in the 2021
Consumer Report
. This is backed up by the average reliability rating of 3/5 on RepairPal, ranking this luxury automaker 27th out of 32 car brands. 

Are Mercedes safe?

Mercedes touts its vehicles’ advanced safety features and this is reflected in perfect scores from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). All the cars that were rated were also chosen as an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, which is the highest ranking possible. 
These high ratings are thanks to driver assistance technologies that Mercedes vehicles are equipped with, including: 
  • PRESAFE — anticipates collisions with a network of sensors
  • Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC — keeps a set of car lengths between you and the car ahead
  • Attention Assist — monitors your driving and detects and alerts when the driver is fatigued
  • Night view assist — infrared beams help display real-time views of what’s ahead
  • Adaptive high beam assist
  • LED intelligent light system
Here’s a complete rundown of safety ratings and recalls for recent Mercedes models: 
Model
NHTSA rating
Recalls
IIHS rating
2022 A-Class
5/5
1
N/A
2022 AMG GT
N/A
N/A
N/A
2022 AMG SL
N/A
N/A
2022
2020 C-Class
N/A
10
Top Safety Pick+
2021 CLA
N/A
3
N/A
2021 CLS
N/A
5
N/A
2022 E-Class
5/5
2
Top Safety Pick+
2022 EQS
N/A
6
N/A
2022 G-Class
N/A
N/A
Top Safety Pick+
2021 GLA
N/A
6
N/A
2022 GLB
5/5
0
Top Safety Pick+
2022 GLC
5/5
0
Top Safety Pick+
2022 GLE
5/5
1
Top Safety Pick+
2019 GLS
N/A
16
N/A
2021 S-Class
N/A
N/A
N/A
MORE: How to find vehicle safety ratings

Are Mercedes expensive to maintain?

According to RepairPal, Mercedes-Benz models have an average annual repair cost of $908—an average ownership cost. To keep your Mercedes in tip-top condition and maintenance costs low, follow the standard maintenance schedule recommended in the owner’s manual. This will also help you identify any potential issues before they cause severe damage to your car.
While Mercedes cars are generally reliable, they aren’t without faults. CarComplaint.com has 1,062 complaints on file for Mercedes vehicles and has the most complaints about the 2006 E50. This model year had many costly problems involving balance shaft failure which could cost $4,800 and more to fix.
MORE: How to do summer car maintenance

Are Mercedes good on gas?

With an average combined fuel economy of 23.4 mpg, putting the automaker in tenth place out of thirteen in the
2021 EPA Automotive Trends Report
.
Here are 2022 fuel economy ratings for the top fifteen Mercedes models: 
Model
City
Highway
Combined
2022 A-Class
25
35
28
2022 AMG GT
19
25
21
2022 AMG SL
N/A
N/A
N/A
2020 C-Class
22
31
25
2021 CLA
21
29
24
2021 CLS
22
30
25
2022 E-Class
22
30
25
2022 EQS (electric)
92
99
95
2022 G-Class
N/A
N/A
N/A
2021 GLA
24
34
28
2022 GLB
22
3 0
25
2022 GLC
22
27
24
2022 GLE
10
26
22
2019 GLS
18
24
20
2021 S-Class
16
25
19
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If you’re looking to get a Mercedes with better fuel efficiency, opt for models like the E-Class CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, with a four-cylinder diesel engine, which the brand claims to be the cleanest diesel technology with excellent fuel economy. You can also consider the fully electric EQE and EQS that will be launching soon.
MORE: How to choose an eco-friendly car

Are Mercedes fun to drive?

Mercedes-Benz vehicles are fun to drive thanks to their upscale styling, agile handling, and luxury features
The entry-level A-Class model is outfitted with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an all-wheel-drive option. While the acceleration from 0 to 60 takes 6.1 seconds—slightly slower than its competitors like the Audi A3—the precise steering, quick throttle response, and almost zero turbo lag makes the A-Class fun to drive.
Considering that the entry-level Mercedes models already provide such a high-quality ride, the higher models come with even more sophisticated technology and more powerful engines. In other words, you have many options to find the perfect Mercedes that’s fun to drive for you.

What’s the best Mercedes?

The ‘best’ Mercedes will depend on you! Take into account your budget, purpose for the car, and driving style when you’re making a decision.
The right Mercedes for you is a matter of personal preference—not to mention budget, family size, and other factors. All the same, a few models stand out:
  • Mercedes C-Class: If you want an entry-level luxury compact sedan, the C-Class is for you. It takes inspiration from the S-Class sedan cabin and modernizes it for a luxurious and comfortable interior in a small package.
  • Mercedes AMG GT: If you have a need for speed, the AMG GT is the perfect ride. The twin-turbo V8 engine is powerful and sounds great, and the car oozes style for the street and on the tracks.
  • Mercedes GLS
    : For families who need a bigger car, the GLS is a great full-size SUV. The cabin is spacious with three rows of seats and is jam-packed with technology. The bonus is the smooth inline-six engine that makes this large SUV fun to drive as well.

How to find affordable Mercedes insurance

The average annual cost of car insurance for Mercedes drivers is $2,834, making Mercedes cars quite expensive to insure! However, the rate you’ll be paying will depend on what coverage you get for your car. Other factors that will affect how insurers determine your rate include your driving record, demographics, and your car’s model and age. 
Fortunately, you can still get full coverage without the exorbitant costs by looking for car insurance on the
Jerry
app. All you need to do is download the app, answer a few questions, and Jerry will find you the best quotes from over 50 top insurance providers. Pick something you like and Jerry will handle the rest. Try the app to save an average of over $800 a year on car insurance!
“As a young person who owns a sports car and a high-end sedan, I couldn’t find quotes below a certain threshold. By using
Jerry
, I managed to find full comprehensive coverage on both vehicles and saved $150 a month!” —Channing Y.
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FAQs

This depends on your priorities. If safety is your first concern, Mercedes is the best in the category. However, if you’re looking for performance and fuel efficiency, BMW does a better job.
Mercedes cars will last a long time if you are diligent in following the recommended maintenance schedule. However, it does require more trips to the repair shop on average compared to other brands.
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