The 20 Best Best Mercedes-Benz Models of All Time

Mercedes-Benz has been at the forefront of luxury car automakers for over a century. The German brand has one of the largest sellers of luxury cars in the world and certainly live up to their slogan; ‘the best or nothing.’

Over the course of the company’s 120-year history, the brand has gone from strength to strength and is responsible for some of the great modern cars, including the Mercedes-AMG GT, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. This article will shine a spotlight on the brand’s best cars in an attempt to showcase the 20 best Mercedes-Benz of all time.

1. Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing

A classic two-seater that was only in production during the 50s and 60s, this sleek looking Merc is based on the company’s 1952 racer, the W194. It was designed as a cost-effective performance car for race fans that came with upward-opening doors. It was also available with two custom-fitted leather suitcases that could be stashed in the large boot. A number of high-profile people owned one of these Gullwings, including Paul Newman, Ralph Lauren, and Sophia Loren.

2. Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR

This limited edition racer looks like something out of a science fiction movie. Only 26 road-going versions of the CLK GTR were ever produced and they featured a 6.9-liter V12 engine with power rated at 604 hp and 572 lb-ft of torque. As it was created a race car, the interior was quite blank.

3. Mercedes-AMG GT

Officially unveiled to the public in October 2014 at the Paris Motor Show, the German manufacturer’s AMG GT is still in production today. There has been a multitude of different AMG GT models built over the past seven years, with the most recent model being the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series. Made almost exclusively from carbon fiber, the Black Series accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and has a top speed of 202 mph.

4. Mercedes-Benz 300D Adenauer

This four-door luxury sedan was a big hit during its short production rollout. Between 1951 and 1957 three versions of the Mercedes-Benz W186 hit the streets, with a touch over 20,000 vehicles sold. These regal automobiles were ahead of their time and still fetch a decent amount at auction, with one recently selling for via Bonhams for just under $30K.

5. Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

This joint venture between German automotive manufacturer Mercedes-Benz and British automobile manufacturer McLaren Automotive resulted in an impressive road car with all the trimmings. Paying homage to the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, there were a number of different variants released, including a roadster, a 722 GT racing version, and a roofless and windowless example inspired by Sterling Moss. While they were hoping to sell 500 units per year, the SLR McLaren failed to excite the public, with only 2,157 units shipping during the seven years it was produced.

6. Mercedes-Benz G-Class

A favorite of hip-hop artists, the Mercedes G-Class is a modern SUV with a distinct square shape. Also known as the G-Wagon, these rough and ready 4x4s have become a sign of status, with more and more luxury editions being released over the years. Even the standard model retails for well over $100,000, so if you can afford one of these beasts, you are doing well.

7. Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

The Mercedes Benz SLS AMG is another limited release that was in production from 2000-2005. The successor to the previously mentioned Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, this two-door couple had gullwing doors, a 6.2-liter V8, and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic.

8. Mercedes-Benz 190SL

Another luxury roadster popular during the 50s and 60s, the Mercedes-Benz 190SL was offered as a cheaper alternative to the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. It was available with a soft-top convertible or with a removable hardtop and came equipped with a 4-cylinder-inline engine with a tops speed of 107 mph.

9. Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe

This is still a popular model amongst Mercedes fans. The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe was first built in 2007 and has been through many changes over the years. The current model comes with light-alloy wheels, dual twin exhaust tips, a 4.0-liter V8 engine, and is capable of reaching 0-62 mph in four seconds. Mercedes describes it as the “perfect fusion between first-class materials and sporty ambiance.”

10. Mercedes-Benz 540K

The Mercedes-Benz 540K was a development of the 500K designed by the highly regarded Friedrich Geiger. One of the largest cars of its era, the 540K was available as both a two-and four-seat cabriolet, four-seater coupe, or a seven-seater limousine. The limo even had armored sides and armored glass, with 20 540Ks ordered by the Nazis and used by high-ranking officials.

11. Mercedes-Benz 500E

Many think the Mercedes Benz 500E is the ultimate Mercedes sportscar. This high-performance vehicle has a classic 90s box design and included a wider track front and rear, an upgraded suspension, and sportscar braking. Buyers also had the option of installing a mobile phone and CD player. The 500E was powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine and had a luxurious interior with all the bells and whistles.

12. Mercedes-Benz W123

Another classic Mercedes-Benz that screams prestigious, the W123 was a range of executive cars built by the German brand over a 10 year period from 1976 to 1987. A solid sedan known for its reliability, the W123 offered numerous engine and gearbox upgrades. Interestingly, during the last few years of production, many of the W123s were shipped to Africa where they were highly regarded due to their ability to travel long distances through the off-road conditions without breaking down.

13. Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman

An ultra-luxury Mercedes-Benz, the 600 was the forerunner of the modern Maybach. Available in short-wheel bases and long-wheelbase editions, this luxurious Merc had a 6.3-liter V8 engine and numerous hydraulically driven amenities due to its size. Many famous faces owned a 600, including the likes of David Bowie, Elizabeth Taylor, Pablo Escobar, and Hugh Hefner.

14. Mercedes-Benz SSK

The Mercedes-Benz Super Sport Kurz (SSK), German for ‘Super Sport Short,’ was a popular two-door roadster during the late 1920s. Fitted with a supercharged single overhead camshaft 7-litre straight-6 engine, the SSK had a top speed of 120 mph, making it the fastest car when in the world when it was first released.

15. Mercedes-Benz 190E Cosworth

The W201 has the classic Mercedes-Benz shape that was popular throughout the 80s and 90s. Designed by Bruno Sacco, who was the head of styling at Mercedes-Benz, the W201 came in petrol and diesel models and included a number of limited edition versions.

16. Mercedes-Benz C111

You might not have ever seen the Mercedes-Benz C111 in the wild, and that is because only 16 were ever built. The sportscar was an experimental creation that included a wide range of new features, including gullwing doors, turbochargers, multi-link rear suspension, and a Wankel engine. The interior was surprisingly luxurious and came with leather trim and an air conditioner. The fastest version had a 4.8-liter twin KKK-turbocharged V8 and could reach a top speed of 250 mph.

17. Mercedes-AMG

An offshoot of Mercedes-Benz AG’s high-performance department, the AMG is a more powerful version of other Mercedes-Benz models. Made almost entirely from carbon fiber, there are constantly new variations of AMGs created, with the world’s first stand-alone Mercedes-AMG dealership opening in Sydney, Australia, 2018.

18. Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3

This iconic vehicle from Mercedes-Benz is a mid-sized sedan with a powerful 6.3-liter1971, it was M100 V8 engine. At the time of its release in 1968, it was the world’s fastest four-door sedan in the world, able to hit 124 mph. It had several luxurious features, including power windows, central locking, sunroof, and rear window curtains.

19. Mercedes-Benz W110

There were two series of the Mercedes-Benz W110 released during its eight-year production run. There were also petrol and diesel models available, although neither had too many special interior features. The W110 was a pretty standard four-door sedan that got the job done without too many problems.

20. Mercedes-Benz SL Class

The Mercedes-Benz R129 SL was in production for 10 years between 1989 and 2001. This two-door convertible had a number of different chassis and engines throughout its shelflife, with a host of special editions released also. The roadster came with an automated fabric convertible roof, electronically controlled damping, and electric windows, mirrors, and seats.