Letters & Digitals Mercedes-Benz or is the classification so complicated?

Karl Benz patented his three-wheeled car in 1886. In less than 10 years, serial production of the Benz Velo began, with 1,200 units produced at that time. Racing became a logical step in the company's development. Under the influence of Emil Jellinek, the Mercedes brand was born. Racing significantly advanced both brands and determined their direction in sports car racing. In 1926, under the influence of the economic crisis, the companies merged and formed the Mercedes-Benz brand. A new, successful start awaited the company after World War II. Numerous innovations for commercial vehicles and the development of motorsport brought the brand to the top.

Along with the development of the automotive industry, there was a need for the classification of models of vehicles and their motors. Each company tried to stand out by introducing new production technologies and producing more unique products. As a result, labelling appeared to help categorize all produced cars by the corporation. If you're curious about what the letters and numbers on a Mercedes mean, our guide Mercedes-Benz models explained breaks it all down.

Labelling has been used by Mercedes since the 30th, so until today there are: 

• Car marking before 1982
• Car marking 1982 - 1993
• Car marking since 1993
• Car marking since 2015
• The engine’s marking

Mercedes-Benz classes explained guide

The current system began to take shape in 1993 and was finally approved in 2015. Before this, the alphanumeric classification indicated the engine size and fuel type, and sometimes the body type. Since 2015, the numbers in the name do not reflect the volume, but rather indicate the engine hierarchy. The Mercedes-Benz abbreviation contains: class (letters), engine hierarchy (number), suffixes (letters).

Let's start with the well-known business class (E). The first Mercedes-Benz E-Class appeared in 1993, although the company had been producing a line of representative mid-size cars since the 1950s. What does e class mean in Mercedes? E stands for Executive class. 

But what does c class mean in Mercedes? C - stands for medium class, The model range is represented in several generations (W) and body types. For example:

• Sedan (W206, W205, etc.) – the classic option.
• Station wagon (S206, formerly T-Modell) – convenient for families and travel.
• Coupe (C205, discontinued in 2023) – sporty look.
• Convertible (A205, discontinued in 2023) – for style lovers.
• C-Class All-Terrain – station wagon with increased cross-country ability.

A-class stands for hatchback while G-class stands for powerful SUV also called G-Wagen. There are GLA crossovers, GLC crossover, GLE crossover. While M-class is mid-crossover type.  Mercedes-AMG C43, C63 (and others) – high-performance modifications with powerful engines and sporty suspension settings.

• B-Class – Compact MPV
• V-Class – Minivan (was phased out in 2013)
• M-Class - a mid-size crossover

Back to the sport cars and flagman cars by Mercedes's, there is S-class. What does s class mean in Mercedes? S is for-Executive class (flagship)? SL- is roadster (lightweight sports car), GLS - a vehicle’s increased in the manoeuvrability, CLS - Premium sedan-coupe.

• CLS — low E-Class
• CLA — sedan combined with A-class

Are there Mercedes-Benz d class? Not really, D is a suffix that goes after digits and means diesel, for example E220d. Another suffixes that you can meet in Mercedes-Benz classsifications are: e (plagin-hybrid), h (older hybrids in model line), L (long car body), 4MATIC (4 wheel drive), Maybach (ultra lux).

All mentioned letters are used with electric vehicles, but starts with EQ, for instance EQA, EQB, EQC, EQE, EQS and EQV.

What do the different classes of Mercedes mean?

Mercedes-Benz offers a variety of vehicle classes, each designed to suit different needs and preferences. The classes are identified by letters such as A, C, E, S, G, and others, each representing a specific category.  For example: GLC 300 4MATIC — off-road passenger car comfort, based on the C-class with a nominal engine power of ~2.0-2.5 litres, all-wheel drive. Off-road passenger car comfort, based on the C-class with a nominal engine power of ~2.0-2.5 litres, all-wheel drive. Hope, we were successful in all Mercedes classes explanation