Mercedes-Benz | Car Reviews

A-Class (2012 - )

A-Class (2005 - )

Good: Much better execution of original A-Class concept, feels far higher quality, easy to park.

Bad: Not enjoyable to drive, smaller petrol engines are underpowered, some problems emerging, expensive compared to the competition, interior quality doesn't feel up to scratch.

B-Class (2005 - )

Good: Raised driving position, lots of interior room, decent diesel engines, good ride quality on smaller wheels.

Bad: Not good enough for the money, steering feels too artificial, woeful automatic gearboxes, lacklustre petrol engines.

B-Class (2012 - )

Good: Economical and practical second generation B-Class, interior quality promises to be improved.

Bad: Fidgety ride, still no looker.

C-Class (2007 - )

Good: Feels well built and robust, very comfortable and refined, high quality ride, a big improvement on the previous C-Class, good CDI diesels.

Bad: Looks are heavy rather than svelte and graceful, interior isn't very inviting, steering is precise but lacks feel.

C-Class Coupe (2011 - )

Good: Well built, attractively styled, available with low emission diesel engines, enjoyable to drive, entry-level C180 model is surprisingly good.

Bad: It's not as sporty as you might think, looks very similar to the saloon.

C-Class Estate (2008 - )

Good: Neatly styled estate, very comfortable and refined, impressive CDI diesels are economical, classy image, good sized useable boot space.

Bad: Parameter steering overlight in town, expensive options, not the best estate for driver enjoyment, still has an old-school foot operated parking brake.

CL-Class (2007 - )

Good: Beautiful looking coupe, Ferrari performance in comfort, high quality feel, a rare sight on the roads, AMG version is amazingly fast, more aggressive looking following 2010 facelift.

Bad: Expensive to buy and run, depreciates rapidly, very big for a two-door car.

CLS-Class (2011 - )

Good: Big CO2 reductions, four-cylinder CLS 250 available at last, precisely-built interior, retains unique style of original CLS, features full LED headlights.

Bad: Rear headroom tight for taller passengers, options expensive

E-Class (2009 - )

Good: Distinctive and sharp looks, excellent CDI diesels, good motorway cruiser, very comfortable and refined, feels very well built.

Bad: Steering could do with more feel, lacklustre petrol and automatic gearbox combination, interior not as inviting as other premium saloons.

E-Class Cabriolet (2010 - )

Good: Elegant styling, little top-down turbulence, good selection of petrol and diesel engines, roof folds down (and up) on the move.

Bad: Not very exciting or involving to drive, awkward shaped boot, cramped rear seats, springy manual gearchange, four-cylinder diesels noisy with roof down.

E-Class Coupe (2009 - )

Good: Classy and upmarket coupe, superb C350 CDI engine, decent headroom in the back, good-sized boot, supportive and comfortable seats.

Bad: Four-cylinder E250 CDI model is noisy and lacks refinement, old fashioned touches like foot-operated parking brake.

E-Class Estate (2010 - )

Good: Well built and sharp styling, huge and useful boot space, comfortable long distance car, excellent CDI diesels, very refined.

Bad: Doesn't deal with corners as well as other premium estates, disappointing smaller petrol engines.

G-Class (2010 - )

Good: Huge road presence, very exclusive, hand built to exacting standards, bomb-proof reliability, unstoppable off road but with a luxury interior, AMG version is an absolute beast.

Bad: Only available through the Specialist Products Division at Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands in Surrey, high list prices, not designed for corners.

GL-Class (2006 - )

Good: Supremely comfortable, genuine seven-seater, immensely competent on and off road, very refined and luxurious, GL420 CDI model is immense.

Bad: Sheer size means it's hard to manouevre and park, not great in corners, rear visibility is poor, GL500 is expensive to run.

M-Class (2012 - )

Good: More spacious and more fuel efficient than the outgoing model.

Bad: Not on sale in the UK until 2012.

ML-Class (2005 - )

Good: Comfortable ride, tidy handling, excellent engines including 320 CDI, plenty of safety kit, upmarket interior.

Bad: Only has five seats, a BMW X5 is a sharper drive, expensive to buy new.

R-Class (2006 - )

Good: Mercedes-Benz version of a people carrier, huge amounts of space inside, available as a long wheelbase for even more room, a seven seater from 2010 (rather than the original six-seater) and lower emission engines.

Bad: Feels big and cumbersome from behind the wheel, sheer size makes it tricky to manoeuvre, AMG version seems pointless.

S-Class (2006 - )

Good: Wonderfully luxurious, high-class cabin, superb refinement on the move, the best looking limo this size, improved again from 2010.

Bad: Feels as big as it looks, sophisticated systems expensive to maintain and replace, costly servicing.

SL-Class (2008 - )

Good: Great performance from all the engines with SL350 the pick of the bunch, neat folding metal roof.

Bad: Expensive with top versions more than £100,000.

SL-Class (2012 - )

Good: More efficient and powerful engines, increased interior space.

Bad: Not on sale until July 2012.

SLK-Class (2011 - )

Good: More aggressive look than previous SLK, neatly designed and high quality interior, three roof options, economical engines, available with 250 CDI engine.

Bad: Not as good to drive as the competition, optional automatic isn't quick or decisive enough, high list prices.

SLS AMG (2010 - )

Good: Stunning looks complete with gullwing doors, amazing performance thanks to 6.2-litre V8 AMG engine, 0-62mph in just 3.8 seconds, excellent grip and handling, easy to drive.

Bad: From £157,500, but extras can soon add £20,000.