Best Mercedes-Benz SUVs and Sedans for Your Lifestyle in 2026

What do people need a car for? That depends on who you ask. A car (or an SUV) can mean different things to different people. Someone living in the city would need a compact, versatile sedan or a crossover that they can drive daily and park easily, and on the other hand, a family might need a full-size SUV with three rows and all the creature comforts. Meanwhile, a business owner will only be satisfied with a swanky, long sedan that is uber comfortable and chauffeur-driven, and someone looking for adventure will want a ladder-frame SUV.

In 2026, you can have any of these, and more, without compromising on luxury and finesse, thanks to one manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz, the German automaker known for its focus on luxury and comfort. This manufacturer offers a car for everyone willing to pay the luxury tax, whether you’re looking for a serious off-roader, a compact executive sedan, or a family-friendly SUV. Without going over halo cars or weekend toys, which can have a niche audience, here is how the best Mercedes-Benz SUVs and sedans can fit your lifestyle.

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA

Starting MSRP: $41,500

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA SUV is the brand’s entry-level subcompact SUV that’s perfect for city folks and young families looking for a daily driver SUV. Underneath its handsome shee tmetal, the GLA is a compact yet roomy SUV with more rear seat legroom than its rivals, like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. The cabin is also well-appointed, with two 10.3-inch screens, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and voice commands. All of this gives the GLA a practical personality that should be at home in the city.

Variants And Performance

The GLA comes in a few variants, starting with the base GLA 250, powered by a 221-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo four with mild hybrid. It’s accompanied by the GLA 250 4MATIC, which adds all-wheel drive. Since its suspension is tuned for comfort, you shouldn’t mistake it for anything sporty. For that, you’ll have to shell out for the AMG GLA 35, which offers 302 horsepower, a sporty design, and AMG-tuned adaptive suspension. You may even consider the GLB SUV, which offers more or less the same as the GLA but with more interior space.

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA

Starting MSRP: $42,750

Like the GLA, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA is another entry-level Mercedes, only this time, it’s a compact sedan. Despite it being a gateway car into Mercedes, it lives up to the Three-Pointed Star ethos in terms of style and luxury. This bite-sized sedan offers plenty of standard amenities and a luxurious interior, though taller passengers may find the rear seat legroom a bit small. It’s one of the best Mercedes sedans for young professionals and those seeking a luxurious daily driver under $50k.

But with this CLA, you sense that the automaker has done its homework and focused on making not just a great EV, but a great compact sports sedan, too. – William Clavey, TopSpeed

Variants And Performance

Mercedes-Benz offers the CLA in two flavors: all-electric sedan or older gas-powered mild hybrid “coupe.” The CLA Sedan comes with EQ technology, offering either 268 or 349 horsepower, depending on the trim; these variants are perfect for urban commuters. Meanwhile, all CLA Coupes are powered by a 221-horsepower turbo four. Mercedes lets you turn up the heat with two AMG models: the CLA 35 Coupe and CLA 45 S, which offer 302 horsepower and 416 horsepower, respectively, along with standard all-wheel drive and a sporty suspension tune.

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC

Starting MSRP: $49,550

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC is one of the brand’s best-selling models, and for many, it’s also the best Mercedes SUV you can buy under $50k. The GLC is where luxury should start to feel uncompromising, unlike the GLA, thanks to its well-appointed interior that features heated front seats, an 11.9-inch screen, an available Burmester 3D sound system, and much more. It’s also quite practical, standing as a do-it-all SUV that is compact enough for urban commutes and spacious enough for family road trips. And those looking for a bit more flair can even go for the Coupe variant, which replaces the boxy bodystyle with a sloping roofline.

Variants And Performance

Mercedes offers eight varieties of the GLC SUV and Coupe, starting with the base GLC 300 models, which are powered by a 225-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo four with mild hybrid. The GLC 350e 4MATIC SUV is a plug-in hybrid with 313 horsepower. On the performance front, the AMG GLC 43 SUV and Coupe offer 416 horsepower. Those willing to splurge nearly $100k on the GLC can go for the AMG GLC 63 E Performance SUV and Coupe, which tunes up the base engine with a plug-in hybrid system to deliver 671 horsepower and a quick 0 to 60 miles per hour acceleration of just 3.5 seconds.

2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Starting MSRP: $49,650

Like the GLC, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is an executive sedan that can wear many hats while offering plentiful luxury. For many, the C-Class can be the best Mercedes sedan, which is the reason why professionals, small families, and fleets love this car so much. Underneath its classic sedan proportions, you’ll find a comfortable and well-built interior that uses top-notch materials and a host of amenities, including heated front seats, open-pore wood trim, and more. Adding cherry to this German strudel is the roomy second row and cargo space, which adds to the car’s practicality.

Variants And Performance

The C-Class is powered by a 225-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo four mild hybrid engine, and you can step up to the C 300 4MATIC for all-wheel drive, too. Mercedes wants you to think of the C-Class as a sports sedan, but it has little to offer in that regard, as many owners complain about the numb steering. For actual sportiness, you’ll have to upgrade to the AMG lineup, which includes a 416-horsepower AMG C 43 Sedan and the 671-horsepower AMG C 63 E Performance Sedan. With such a level of performance, the C-Class AMG models are incredible sports sedan options in their price brackets.

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE

Starting MSRP: $62,250

Giving tough competition to the GLC as the best Mercedes SUV is the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE. Think of it as an SUV version of the E-Class, thanks to its luxurious and spacious interior and comfort-first personality. It’s best suited for well-to-do families looking for a do-it-all, versatile SUV that can accompany them for everything. You can expect plenty of legroom at the back, several ways of interacting with the 12.3-inch touchscreen, high-quality materials, and much more, including available heated armrests and Air Balance cabin fragrance system.

Variants And Performance

With ten varieties of GLE on offer, including the choice between traditional SUV and coupe SUV body styles, there seems to be a GLE for every type of affluent family. Depending on the variant, the GLE is powered by a range of engine options, from a 225-horsepower turbo four to a 362-horsepower straight six to a 504-horsepower turbocharged V8, with most trims having a 4MATIC AWD system. Then there is the 381-horsepower GLE 450e 4MATIC plug-in hybrid and a couple of AMG variants, offering either 429 horsepower with the AMG GLE 53 SUV and Coupe or 603 horsepower with the AMG 63 SUV and Coupe.

2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Starting MSRP: $63,900

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is an executive sedan that takes you into real luxury territory. It’s a complete package that offers top-class luxury inside, including up to three screens, a selfie camera, an available 17-speaker Burmester sound system, and more. The cabin is packed with high-quality materials, and the legroom at the back is among the best in the class. Mercedes also offers air suspension for more on-road comfort and an All-Terrain wagon body style for road tripping. All this makes the E-Class an excellent choice for those looking for a luxurious family sedan (or wagon) and executives looking to make an impression.

Variants And Performance

The base E-Class is offered with two powertrains: the E 350’s 255-horsepower turbo-four and the E 450’s 375-horsepower straight six. These engines are known for their butter-smooth power delivery. The E 450 is offered with an All-Terrain body style, too, though the name is a bit misleading as it can only handle light off-roading. Mercedes also offers the AMG E 53 Hybrid Sedan and Wagon, which are powered by a twin-turbo straight six producing 577 horsepower, which can take the sedan from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds.

2026 Mercedes-Benz EQE

Starting MSRP: $64,950

Proving once again that there’s a Mercedes for everyone (willing to pay for one, obviously) are the 2026 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV and Sedan. These are the brand’s mainstream electric vehicles that promise a quiet, smooth, and luxurious ride. They offer a plush, chic interior that’s well-put together and packed with features, including the optional Hyperscreen (three screens on the dash), panoramic glass roof, biometric sensor, and more. The EQE Sedan is ideal for those seeking a luxurious urban EV, and the SUV only builds on the same package with more interior and cargo space.

Mercedes has somehow managed to turn an electronic appliance on wheels into a genuinely palpable luxury item. In other words, it’s a true Benz. – William Clavey

Variants And Performance

Both the EQE Sedan and SUV are powered by either single-motor rear-wheel drive or twin-motor all-wheel drive. Where they differ is in the power figures. The EQE Sedan offers 315 horsepower but 36 percent more torque with AWD, whereas the EQE SUV offers either 288 or 402 horsepower. Then there is the AMG EQE Sedan and SUV, which is powered by a 617-horsepower dual-motor AWD, which can dump up to 677 horsepower with the optional Race Start. With a range of up to 308 miles, the EQE Sedan and SUV are perfectly adequate for urban commutes and an occasional long drive.

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS

Starting MSRP: $90,250

Jumping straight to serious, flagship luxury levels is the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS, the largest and arguably the best Mercedes-Benz SUV in terms of luxury. It can seat up to seven across three rows, and it’s best suited for affluent families looking to make no compromises on luxury. From high-end materials to optional second-row captain’s chairs, and from the Burmester sound system to plush seats, the GLS is all about coddling you and your family in comfort. And it only gets better with the Mercedes-Maybach GLS variant, which is swanky enough to rival a Rolls-Royce or a Bentley.

Variants And Performance

The GLS comes in four flavors, starting with the GLS 450 4MATIC, which is powered by a lively 375-horsepower 3.0-liter straight six. The GLS 580 4MATIC upgrades to a 510-horsepower twin-turbo V8; the same is tuned up to 550 horsepower for the Maybach GLS SUV. The most powerful GLS comes with an AMG treatment, the GLS 63 SUV, which is powered by a 603-horsepower 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8. The GLS also gets standard air suspension and optional E-Active Body Control that adds to its comfort factor.

2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Starting MSRP: $119,500

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class gets a similar extravagant treatment as the GLS, representing the best Mercedes sedan for the wealthy elite and VIPs. The S-Class is all about sophisticated luxury, a lavish interior, and an understated road presence. Its spacious cabin is trimmed with some of the best comfort levels the automotive world has to offer, including a Burmester 3D sound system, spacious rear seat comfort, and available massaging and reclining rear seats. The Maybach S-Class takes this up a notch with uncompromising luxury.

In a world where even luxury brands are compromising—on materials, on comfort, on build quality—the S-Class remains steadfast in its place of opulence and quality. So yes, it’s the best sedan for drivers who want comfort without compromise. – Peter Corn, TopSpeed

Variants And Performance

The standard S-Class is powered by three capable powertrains: a 442-horsepower turbocharged straight six, a 496-horsepower twin-turbo V8, and a 510-horsepower turbocharged V8 plug-in hybrid. The top-of-the-line Maybach S 680 4MATIC gets a 621-horsepower twin-turbo V12, whereas the AMG S 63 E Performance offers 791 horsepower from its handcrafted twin-turbo V8 and plug-in hybrid powertrain. The air suspension and available E-Active Body Control promise a plush ride, while available all-wheel steering makes maneuvering this land yacht easy.

2026 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Starting MSRP: $153,900

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz G-Class may not be the most luxurious SUV out there, but it is the best Mercedes SUV when it comes to off-road chops. It’s a ladder-frame SUV that wears the age-old yet iconic boxy design with plenty of modern updates all around. On the inside, it’s no longer the military-spec truck that it once was; it’s luxurious, complete with dual screens, heated front and rear seats, leather upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, and much more. But unlike executives or families, the G-Class is best suited for those looking for a capable adventurer or just want to flex on the road.

(…) if you buy a car with a rational mind, any of these alternatives will get you pretty close to a G-Class for a fraction of the price. But if you are using an emotional heart to purchase a car, the G-Wagon stands above the rest. – Jared Rosenholtz, CarBuzz

Variants And Performance

The G-Class is offered with three powertrains, starting with the G 550’s 443-horsepower turbocharged and supercharged straight-six engine. If you want a V8, you’ll have to splurge nearly $200k for the AMG G 63, which gets a twin-turbocharged V8 producing 579 horsepower. These G-Class models also feature three differential locks and low-range crawler gears, giving them actual off-road chops. You can also pick the unconventional yet cool G 580 With EQ Technology, a ladder-frame EV SUV that’s powered by a 579-horsepower quad motor setup. This powertrain enables some unique abilities, like tank turn, G-Steering, and virtual diff locks, which are said to work exceptionally well off-road.