Many consider that Mercedes Benz cars are usually for rich people or those with more than a mid-level income, but that’s not the case with the company’s entire lineup. The German automaker is in fact offering a lot of cheaper cars that could be perfect for new drivers. Not to mention that Mercedes cars are very safe, and they are equipped with all the latest technologies that will keep the driver’s attention on the road. Here’s a list of what we consider to be the best ten models Mercedes is offering for new drivers.
10 Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Starting Price: $33,950
There was a time when the Mercedes A-Class wasn’t exactly the car anyone would want to buy, but things started to change with the third generation and got even better with the fourth generation that was launched in 2018. The A-Class is powered by a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 188 horsepower and offers a fuel economy of 24 mpg in city driving and 35 mpg on the highway. The compact sedan offers interior room for up to five passengers and has a cargo capacity of 8.6 cubic feet. It is also not very fast, with a 0 to 60 mph sprint time of 7.1 seconds - another reason why it should be perfect for a beginner.
2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Specifications
Model | Mercedes-Benz A 220 Sedan | Mercedes-Benz A 220 4Matic Sedan |
Engine | 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo | 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo |
Output | 188 hp @ 5,500-6,100 rpm | 188 hp @ 5,500-6,100 rpm |
Torque | 221 lb-ft @ 1,600-4,000 rpm | 221 lb-ft @ 1,600-4,000 rpm |
0 to 60 mph | 7.1 seconds | 7.1 seconds |
Top Speed | 130 mph | 130 mph |
Price | $33,950 | $35,950 |
The A-Class also has the elegance you would expect from a Mercedes and a very highly equipped interior, with ground-breaking voice control response that makes it very safe to drive. For the North American market, the Mercedes A-Class is offered in two trims: A 220 and A 220 4Matic, with prices starting from $33,950 and $35,950, respectively. Neither the NHTSA nor IIHS rated the A-Class, but it did receive an overall five-star rating from EuroNCAP, with 96 percent protection for adult passengers and 91 percent protection for child occupants, which makes it a very safe pick for new drivers.
9 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Starting Price: $44,850
With a history that dates back to 1993, the C-Class is probably one of the most successful models in Mercedes’ lineup. The fifth generation that launched back in 2021 makes things even more interesting, as for the first time, the sedan's four-cylinder engines are coupled with an integrated starter generator and a 48-volt electrical system. For the North American market, the C-Class is only offered in C300 and C300 4Matic trims, both powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.
2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Specifications
Model | Mercedes-Benz C 300 Sedan | Mercedes-Benz C 300 4Matic Sedan |
Engine | 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo with mild hybrid drive | 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo with mild hybrid drive |
Output | 255 hp @ 5,800 pm | 255 hp @ 5,800 pm |
Torque | 295 lb-ft @ 2,000-3,200 rpm | 295 lb-ft @ 2,000-3,200 rpm |
0 to 60 mph | 6.0 seconds | 6.0 seconds |
Top Speed | 130 mph | 130 mph |
Price | $44,850 | $46,850 |
A nine-speed automatic transmission helps sprint the compact sedan from 0 to 60 mph in 6 seconds and offers a fuel economy of 25 mpg during city driving and 36 mpg on the highway. The new Mercedes C-Class equipped with the optional front crash prevention system earned the Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS, and while NHTSA has yet to rate it. EuroNCAP gave it an overall five-star rating, with 93 percent protection for adult occupants and 89 percent protection for child occupants. Prices for the C-Class range from $44,850 to $46,850.
8 Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupe
Starting Price: $39,350
Mercedes used the CLA name for the first time back in 2013 when the four-door coupe based on the A-Class platform was announced. The second generation arrived in 2019 with lots of improvements, including a design language inspired by the current generation CLS. The new CLA grew, and it got a lot more aerodynamic, plus it comes equipped with all kinds of cool tech features. American customers get to choose between two trims: the CLA 250 Coupe and CLA 250 4Matic Coupe. Both models are powered by a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The CLA Coupe runs from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.3 seconds and has a fuel economy of 36 MPG.
2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupe Specifications
Model | Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 Coupe | Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 4Matic Coupe | Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 Coupe | Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 Coupe |
Engine | 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo | 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo | 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo | 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo |
Output | 221 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 221 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 302 hp @ 5,800-6,100 rpm | 382 hp |
Torque | 258 lb-ft @ 1,800-4,000 rpm | 258 lb-ft @ 1,800-4,000 rpm | 295 lb-ft @ 3,000-4,000 rpm | 354 lb-ft @ 3,000-4,000 rpm |
0 to 60 mph | 6.3 seconds | 6.3 seconds | 4.8 seconds | 4.0 seconds |
Top Speed | 130 mph | 130 mph | 155 mph | 155 mph |
Price | $39,350 | $41,350 | $49,500 | $57,800 |
Mercedes is also offering two AMG versions - the AMG CLA 35 and the AMG CLA 45 - with power ranging from 302 to 382 horsepower - with both being a good options for a new driver. The CLA was not rated by either IIHS or NHTSA, but EuroNCAP gave it an overall five-star rating, with 96 percent protection for adult occupants and 91 percent protection for child occupants. The CLA Coupe is priced from $39,350 for the CLA 250 to $57,800 for the AMG CLA 45.
7 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe
Starting Price: $49,550
Although it is about to be replaced soon, the current C-Class Coupe is still a very good option for new drivers. It was first launched in 2015, but it never became the successful model Mercedes was hoping for, which is the reason why it will soon be replaced by the CLE. Still, just like the sedan, the C-Class Coupe is powered by the same 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to a 9G-Tronic automatic transmission and sprints the coupe from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds.
2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe Specifications
Model | Mercedes-Benz C 300 Coupe | Mercedes-Benz C 300 4Matic Coupe |
Engine | 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo with mild hybrid drive | 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo with mild hybrid drive |
Output | 255 hp @ 5,800 pm | 255 hp @ 5,800 pm |
Torque | 273 lb-ft @ 2,000-3,200 rpm | 273 lb-ft @ 2,000-3,200 rpm |
0 to 60 mph | 5.9 seconds | 5.9 seconds |
Top Speed | 130 mph | 130 mph |
Price | $49,550 | $51,550 |
Unlike the C-Class sedan, the coupe is a little bit less efficient with a fuel economy of 22 mpg in city driving and 31 mpg on the highway. The coupe version is just as safe as the sedan, with an overall five-star rating from EuroNCAP, and 93 percent protection for adult occupants and 89 percent protection for child occupants. Just like the sedan, the C-Class Coupe is offered in two trims: C300 priced at $49,550, and C300 4Matic priced at $51,550.
6 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Starting Price: $37,500
Basically an SUV version of the A-Class, the GLA was first launched in 2013 and is currently in its second generation. The current model, announced back in 2019, can be had in four different trims in the States: GLA 250, GLA 250 4Matic, AMG GLA 35, and AMG GLA 45 - and all four of them could be good for new drivers. The first two models are powered by a transverse-mounted 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that delivers a total of 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the AMG models get an enhanced version of the same engine with either 302 or 382 horsepower.
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA Specifications
Model | Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 | Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4Matic | Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 | Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 |
Engine | 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four | 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four | AMG-enhanced 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo | Handcrafter AMG 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo |
Output | 221 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 221 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 302 hp @ 5,800-6,100 rpm | 382 hp @ 6,500 rpm |
Torque | 258 lb-ft @ 1,800-4,000 rpm | 258 lb-ft @ 1,800-4,000 rpm | 295 lb-ft @ 3,000-4,000 rpm | 354 lb-ft @ 4,750-5,000 rpm |
0 to 60 mph | 6.8 seconds | 6.6 seconds | 5.2 seconds | 4.4 seconds |
Top Speed | 130 mph | 130 mph | 155 mph | 155 mph |
Price | $37,500 | $39,500 | $49,500 | $56,650 |
Depending on the trim level, the sprint time ranges from 4.3 to 6.8 seconds, while fuel economy can go up to 34 mpg on highway driving. The GLA is a very safe model, with an overall five-star rating from EuroNCAP with 96 percent protection for adult occupants and 90 percent protection for child occupants. Prices for the 2023 GLA range from $37,500 to $56,650.
5 Mercedes-Benz GLB
Starting Price: $39,800
Another very good option for new drivers is the Mercedes GLB - a compact SUV built on the same platform as the GLA, but with the wheelbase stretched about four inches for additional room. The GLB was only unveiled in 2019, so it is a relatively new model, but it already proved itself as a very reliable crossover. It received an overall five-star rating from EuroNCAP and offers 92 percent protection for adult occupants and 88 percent protection for child occupants.
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB Specifications
Model | Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 | Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 4Matic | Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 |
Engine | 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder | 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder | 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder |
Output | 221 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 221 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 302 hp @ 5,800-6,100 rpm |
Torque | 258 lb-ft @ 1,800-4,000 rpm | 258 lb-ft @ 1,800-4,000 rpm | 295 lb-ft @ 3,000-4,000 rpm |
0 to 60 mph | 6.9 seconds | 6.9 seconds | 5.2 seconds |
Top Speed | 130 mph | 130 mph | 155 mph |
Price | $39,800 | $41,800 | $51,500 |
On the U.S. market customers get to choose between three trims: GLB 250, GLB 250 4Matic and AMG GLB 35. The three models are powered by the same 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine as the GLA, with 221 horsepower for the entry-level models and 302 horses for the AMG one. The 0 to 60 mph sprint time ranges from 6.9 to 5.2 seconds, while fuel economy goes up to an impressive 32 mpg during highway driving. The GLB also offers up to 62 cubic feet of cargo space, which makes it perfect for even longer drives. Prices for the 2023 model year range from $39,800 to $51,500.
4 Mercedes-Benz GLC
Starting Price: $47,100
After first being announced back in 2015 as a replacement for the GLK, the GLC is currently in its second generation. The model is based on the same MRA (Modular Rear Architecture) platform as the current C-Class and S-Class sedans and can be had as either a traditional SUV or a coupe SUV. The GLC received an overall five-star rating from NHTSA, with five stars for all the tests done, plus a Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS and an overall five-star rating from EuroNCAP too - so, it is a very safe SUV.
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC Specifications
Model | Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 | Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4Matic | Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe |
Engine | 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder with mild hybrid drive | 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder with mild hybrid drive | AMG-enhanced 3.0-liter V-6 biturbo |
Output | 255 hp @ 5,800 rpm | 255 hp @ 5,800 rpm | 385 hp @ 5,500-6,100 rpm |
Torque | 295 lb-ft @ 2,000-3,200 rpm | 295 lb-ft @ 2,000-3,200 rpm | 384 lb-ft @ 2,500-5,000 rpm |
0 to 60 mph | 6.2 seconds | 6.2 seconds | 4.7 seconds |
Top Speed | 130 mph | 130 mph | 155 mph |
Price | $47,100 | $49,100 | $68,200 |
The standard GLC is offered in two trims: GLC 300 and GLC 300 4Matic, while the GLC Coupe can either be had as the GLC 300 or the AMG GLC 43. The GLC 300 models get a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine with mild hybrid drive and a total of 255 horsepower, while the AMG GLC 43 gets an AMG-enhanced 3.0-liter V-6 biturbo engine with 385 horsepower. The GLC offers up to 56.3 cubic feet of storage space and features the same luxury interior as the C-Class. Prices for the GLC range from $47,100 to $68,200.
3 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan
Starting Price: $56,750
The Mercedes E-Class has been around since 1953, although the name itself was used for the first time in 1993. The current generation announced at the beginning of 2023 brings major changes, not only when it comes to exterior and interior looks, but also in terms of powertrain and body style lineup. The E-Class coupe and convertible will soon cease to exist, and they will be offered as the CLE.
2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Specifications
Model | Mercedes-Benz E 350 | Mercedes-Benz E 350 4Matic | Mercedes-Benz E 450 4Matic |
Engine | 2.0L inline-4 turbo | 2.0L inline-4 turbo | 3.0L inline-6 turbo engine with mild hybrid drive |
Output | 255 hp @ 5,800-6,100 rpm | 255 hp @ 5,800-6,100 rpm | 362 hp @ 5,500-6,100 rpm |
Torque | 273 lb-ft @ 1,800-4,000 rpm | 273 lb-ft @ 1,800-4,000 rpm | 369 lb-ft @ 1,600-4,500 rpm |
0 to 60 mph | 6.1 seconds | 6.0 seconds | 4.9 seconds |
Top Speed | 130 mph | 130 mph | 155 mph |
Price | $56,750 | $59,250 | $65,550 |
The American lineup includes three trims: E350, E 350 4Matic, and E 450 4Matic. There is also an AMG 53 model, but we wouldn’t recommend that for a new driver. The E350 models are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating a robust 255 horsepower, while the E 450 gets a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine delivering an impressive 375 horsepower. The E-Class sprints from 0 to 60 mph in as low as 4.9 seconds and offers a fuel economy of 31 mpg during highway driving. The current generation hasn’t been rated just yet, but we expect it to be just as safe - if not safer - as the previous generations. The 2024 E-Class is priced from $56,750 to $65,550.
2 Mercedes-Benz EQB SUV
Starting Price: $52,750
Mercedes also has a few electric cars that could be the perfect pick for any new driver. One of these electric models is the EQB - a seven-seat battery electric compact luxury SUV based on the GLB. It was presented in 2021 and went on sale in the United States as a 2023 model-year vehicle. In the U.S., the EQB is offered in three trims: EQB 250+, EQB 300 4Matic, and EQB 350 4Matic. The entry-level model is powered by one electric motor, placed on the front axle that delivers a total of 188 horsepower, while both the EQB 300 and EQB 350 are powered by two electric motors that deliver a combined 225, and 288 horsepower, respectively.
2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB Specifications
Model | Mercedes-Benz EQB 250+ | Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 4Matic | Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4Matic |
Powertrain | one electric motor | dual-electric motor | dual-electric motor |
Output | 188 hp | 225 hp | 288 hp |
Torque | 284 lb-ft | 288 lb-ft | 384 lb-ft |
0 to 60 mph | 8.0 seconds | 7.0 seconds | 6.0 seconds |
Top Speed | 130 mph | 130 mph | 130 mph |
Price | $52,750 | $56,900 | $60,550 |
The sprint from 0 to 60 mph ranges from 8.0 to 5.4 seconds, and with the possibility to add up to seven seats and a cargo capacity of 61.8 cubic feet, the EQB is perfect for new drivers with big families too. The EQB doesn’t excel in terms of range, with only up to 257 miles, but it needs only 32 minutes to recharge to 80 percent thanks to its fast-charging capabilities. It is also a very safe SUV with a five-star rating from EuroNCAP and 95 percent protection for adult occupants and 91 percent for child occupants. Prices range from $52,750 to $60,550.
1 Mercedes-Benz EQE
Starting Price: $74,900
Another good alternative for new drivers, even if a little bit more expensive, is the EQE sedan. The model is placed under the EQS in the lineup and you can look at it as an all-electric version of the E-Class. The EQE was announced in 2021 and went on sale as a 2022 model year, and, even if four trims are available, it's only the entry-level models that we recommend for new drivers. The EQE 350 and the EQE 350 4Matic are powered by dual electric motors that deliver a total of 288 horsepower and provide a range of up to 305 miles.
2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE Specifications
Model | Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ | Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 4Matic |
Powertrain | dual-electric motor | dual-electric motor |
Output | 288 hp | 288 hp |
Torque | 417 lb-ft | 564 lb-ft |
0 to 60 mph | 6.2 seconds | 6.0 seconds |
Top Speed | 130 mph | 130 mph |
Price | $74,900 | $77,900 |
Just like the EQB crossover, the EQE benefits from fast charging capabilities and needs only 32 minutes to recharge to 80 percent. Except for its excellent exterior look, the EQE can also be had with the Mercedes hyper screen - a trio of displays that runs the entire length of the dash and make the driver’s life very easy. The EQE is priced at $74,900 for the 350+ trim and at $77,900 for the 350 4Matic trim.