Large Mercedes Cars Ultimate Buyer's Guide To Their Line-up

The King of Luxury Saloons, The Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The S-Class has just been that benchmark for luxury cars for decades now.

For instance, it's the car that prime ministers, top executives, and celebrities are often seen driving in.

However, while it might not be the absolute biggest in every dimension, its length and the sheer sense of occasion that it gives you do make it a true giant of the road.

What is it?

A top-of-the-range luxury saloon car.

Why is it one of the largest?

Here, it's all about length.

For instance, the standard S-Class is already a very big car, but the real star is the Long-Wheelbase version.

This model, for example, has an extra section added to the middle of the car, purely for the benefit of your rear-seat passengers, which gives it an enormous amount of legroom - allowing you to stretch out completely.

It’s longer than many SUVs, for instance.

The Style Icon that is the Mercedes-Benz CLS

The Mercedes CLS is a four-door coupé, and you should think of it as taking the sensible E-Class saloon and giving it a much more stylish, sportier, and more dramatic sloping roofline.

It even started the whole 'four-door coupé' trend as well.

Is it one of the largest?

It's a large car, certainly in length, being very similar to an E-Class.

However, its focus isn't on maximum space, as that sloping roof, while looking fantastic, does reduce your rear headroom and makes the boot opening smaller compared to a traditional saloon.

Overall, it's large in footprint and amazing in looks, but not in outright practicality on the whole, really.

What’s it like inside?

It feels sportier and more 'cockpit-like' than a regular saloon does here.

The interior is also very lavish and shares its stunning dashboard and technology with the E-Class, but the lower roof and smaller windows make it feel more intimate and driver-focused here as a result.

Overall, it's a gorgeous place to want to sit.

The Unmistakable Off-Roader, The Mercedes-Benz G-Class

The G-Class (short for Geländewagen, or 'off-road vehicle') is a legendary, military-derived 4x4.

In fact, it's one of the most recognisable cars on the road thanks to its iconic design, which has remained famously boxy and rugged for over 40 years.

Is it one of the largest?

It does have a massive presence, but its dimensions can be surprising.

For instance, it's very tall and quite wide, which makes it feel huge; however, it's actually shorter than an E-Class saloon, as its size comes from its height and attitude, not its length.

What’s it like inside?

It’s a unique mix of function and luxury, as you sit incredibly high up with a commanding view, and you close the doors with a famous, gun-bolt-like 'clack'.

However, despite its rugged exterior, the modern G-Class is fitted with all the latest Mercedes luxury, including wide screens and plush leather, but it never lets you forget you're in a serious off-road machine, either.

The Original 7-Seater SUV, the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (Now the GLS)

The GL-Class was Mercedes' first full-size, seven-seater luxury SUV, first launched all the way back in 2006.

It was even designed to be the SUV equivalent of the S-Class.

However, this model has now been renamed the GLS, with the 'GL' denoting an SUV and the 'S' showing its link to the S-Class trims.

Is it one of the largest?

It is absolutely, and at the time of its launch, it was the biggest car in the Mercedes lineup, designed to offer you massive space for seven adults and their luggage easily enough.

It was also built with the American market in mind, where big SUVs really are king.

What’s it like inside?

It was all about space, as here you get three proper rows of seats, a huge boot, and a feeling of immense safety and solidity.

The interior was also luxurious for its time, though it has since been surpassed in technology and finish by its successor, the GLS.

The Compact Family SUV, The Mercedes-Benz GLB

The Mercedes GLB is then a compact SUV with a clever trick up its sleeve, as it's available with an optional third row of seats, making it a seven-seater.

It also has a boxier, more traditional SUV shape than its GLC sibling does as well - in case that is something you are looking for.

Is it one of the largest?

In the grand scheme of things, it is one of the smaller SUVs Mercedes makes.

However, it is arguably the largest and most practical car in its class, which is clear to say, as it is a masterclass in packaging, squeezing so much usable space into a relatively small footprint.

What’s it like inside?

On the whole, here you get a very clever interior, as the upright, boxy shape means there's lots of headroom.

Then this is combined well with the fact that the dashboard is modern and packed with the latest Mercedes tech.

The optional third row is then best for children or for occasional adult use on short trips, but it's a brilliant feature to have in a car of this size.

The Sporty Mid-Sized SUV, the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé & SUV

The GLC is actually Mercedes' best-selling, mid-sized luxury SUV.

Here it has actually been designed to compete with cars like the BMW X3 and Audi Q5.

As a result, it is available in two main trims, the standard GLC SUV for maximum practicality, and the GLC Coupé with a sloping roof for a sportier look.

Are they among the largest?

They sit in the middle of the Mercedes SUV range, and are a very popular size – large enough to feel substantial but practical enough for a whole family. However, they are not so large that they are difficult to manage in town or on country lanes, either, which gives you a good overall balance.

What’s it like inside?

The interior of the GLC is high-tech, beautifully made, and just feels very premium overall.

The standard SUV also has a good passenger space and a large, practical boot as well, while the Coupé version does sacrifice some of the rear headroom and boot space for you to get its more stylish shape.

The Do-Everything SUV, Mercedes-Benz GLE (and its predecessor, the M-Class)

What are they?

The Mercedes GLE is a large, premium SUV that sits between the GLC and the giant GLS.

It is also the successor to the very popular M-Class (also known as the ML), which was the first luxury SUV Mercedes ever built back in the 1990s.

The GLE is also available as a standard SUV or a sporty Coupé model, both of which can be equipped with a range of powerful engines that deliver effortless performance.

Are they among the largest?

These are large cars, as the GLE SUV is a very spacious five-seater (with an option for seven) that feels substantial and commanding on the road as a result.

Due to this, it really is a true luxury vehicle with a big footprint, offering you a great blend of space, comfort, and road presence as a result.

The Practical People Movers, the Mercedes-Benz V-Class & Viano

These are Mercedes' van-based premium people carriers, or MPVs.

With the Viano being the previous generation model, which was replaced by the much more modern and luxurious V-Class.

As a result, they really are designed to carry the maximum number of people in more of a car-like comfort style as they do so.

Are they the largest?

In terms of sheer interior volume and the ability to carry people and luggage, these are the biggest passenger vehicles Mercedes makes, bar none.

For instance, they are taller, often longer, and vastly more spacious than even the GLS SUV we should note.

What’s it like inside?

The modern V-Class is actually surprisingly luxurious, with a proper Mercedes car dashboard, high-quality materials, and comfortable, flexible seating for up to eight adults.

As a result, it feels less like a van and more like a luxury limousine with a huge amount of space, all while the older Viano was more functional but still offered incredible practicality at the same time.

The Electric Giants, The EQS and EQS SUV

As the world moves to electric, Mercedes has made sure its biggest cars have an electric equivalent as well.

As here the Mercedes EQS and EQS SUV are the flagships of the Mercedes electric 'EQ' range.

What are they?

Here you are getting a large electric luxury saloon (EQS) and a large electric luxury seven-seater SUV (EQS SUV).

Why are they among the largest?

These cars are built on a brand-new electric platform, which allows them to have a very long wheelbase (the distance between the front and back wheels).

This then gives you a massive amount of interior space, and the EQS Saloon is similar in length to the S-Class, and the EQS SUV is the electric counterpart to the mighty GLS

The Mercedes-Benz Approved Used Programme

If a brand-new car isn't for you, the Mercedes Approved Used programme is then a fantastic option for you to consider.

As this allows you to buy a second-hand Mercedes with the peace of mind you'd expect from the brand.

For instance, here every Approved Used car comes with:

• A full mechanical check by trained technicians
• At least 12 months' unlimited mileage warranty
• MOT test failure cover
• A full service history

So Are Large Mercedes Cars Right For You?

So, when you ask for the "largest" Mercedes, the answer really depends on what you need that size for.

For pure, opulent length, it's the Maybach S-Class hands-down, but for the best all-around family-friendly giant, it's the GLS.

Then, for those looking to carry the local football team, it has to be the V-Class.

As you can see, there is simply a large car here for every need, creating a lineup where practicality meets refinement.