Mercedes’ redesigned C-Class Coupe offers a lot for less than $50k, including 18-inch alloys, metal doorsill plates, pushbutton start, power-folding auto-dimming mirrors, powered tilt and telescopic…

2017 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4Matic Coupe Road Test Review

I had a favourite sports coupe as a young man in my early 20s. I know I probably should've been more interested in RX7s, 280ZXs, Sciroccos, Supras and the like at the low end, as they were much more within my reach, or 911s, Countachs, Esprits, M1s, Panteras and 512 Berlinetta Boxers at the high end, because most guys my age were, and I was enthused by all of the above to a point, but for the same reason I'd previously gone all gaga for BMW's 3.0 CS coupe and its 6 Series replacement, I fell head over heals for the now classic early eighties Mercedes-Benz 500 SEC. Looking back I suppose it makes sense, being that my friends jokingly dubbed me Alex P. Keaton when Family Ties was all the rage (it didn't take me long to transform from longhaired rock star wannabe to quintessential yuppie once school had ended and the reality of earning a living set in).

That love affair was reunited with the much more recent fourth-generation E-Class coupe that I first drove in 2010, which is still Read Full Story
Today on CarCostCanada we’re reviewing a much more accommodating passenger vehicle than usual, Mercedes’ massive Sprinter. You may have already taken a spin in one on your way to the airport, from…

2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Passenger Van Road Test Review

When choosing a vehicle for transporting services, you might not think all that much about styling or prestige, but if you were to ask your customers which brand they'd like to be picked up in, most would opt for a Mercedes-Benz over something more common.

Fortunately the Sprinter line of full-size vans backs up its three-pointed star and arguably attractive styling with impressive medium- and heavy-duty capability, comfortable well-equipped cabins, powerful efficient engines, and numerous size, body style, window, and seating configurations, so the job at hand can be managed in the most effective, efficient way possible.

The Sprinter, which received a mid-cycle freshening in 2013 for the 2014 model year, not only benefited from a stylish new grille, revised headlights, a reshaped bumper, redesigned lower fascia, modified body panels, reworked taillights, and trim revisions front to rear, but at least as importantly it arrived with a new base engine.

The two-stage Read Full Story
If you’ve got regular heavy, large loads that require protection from the elements and/or thieves the vault-like Sprinter is an ideal choice. Available in 2 weight classes, 2 wheelbases, 3 lengths,…

2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 Cargo Van Road Test Review

We can thank Mercedes' Sprinter for the new wave of commercial vans available to businesses and RV owners, opening up a wide world of competitive options we've never enjoyed before.

Previously the North American markets only had Ford's classic E-Series, GM's Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana twins, and the Dodge Ram Van series, but when that final model was so far beyond its stale date that few fleet operators were willing to ante up any longer it forced then DaimlerChrysler to literally think outside the box, and both Dodge and Freightliner versions of the Sprinter were formed from Mercedes' well proven first-generation model. This much more spacious and extremely fuel efficient alternative did so well that Ford had to step up with an alternative to its E-Series, first complementing its short-wheelbase E-150 with the European-designed and built Transit Connect, and then adding size on top of its E trims with the considerably bigger and more directly competitive full-size Transit Read Full Story
If the need for family hauling space is pushing you out of your sports car, the slightly updated Mercedes GLA 45 AMG 4Matic might be just what you want and need. It’s a subcompact luxury SUV that’s…

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA 45 AMG 4Matic Road Test Review

There's really nothing like the GLA on today's market. Tomorrow may be different, the new 2017 Infiniti QX30 sharing platform architectures and employing the little Merc's base powertrain, but I'm sure the Japanese-branded subcompact SUV will have as distinctive a personality as its unique styling suggests, which will once again leave the GLA within its niche.

This is especially true now that its key competitor, BMW's X1, has gone more conservative in performance and design, the latest model appearing more like a shrunken X3. There are other subcompact luxury SUVs available too, including Audi's comparatively docile Q3 and Range Rover's slightly more potent Evoque, plus some less prestigiously branded entries that are nevertheless near premium when it comes to quality, features and pricing so therefore deserve comment, including Buick's comfort-first Encore, Mini's performance-oriented Countryman, and, while tempted to throw Fiat's surprisingly upscale top-line 500X Trekking Read Full Story
Mercedes’ commercial van division has a new midsize model dubbed Metris, available for 2016 in both panel and passenger van body styles. Larger than most rivals yet smaller than its full-size Sprinter…

2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van Road Test Review

The Metris is a commercial van, so someone please tell me where I can get a job driving one every day. I think my back felt better after getting out than it did going in.

I suppose Mercedes wouldn't turn you away if you wanted to buy one for shuttling around your large family, and I must say it would be a good choice, but I'm going to guess 630 out of the 635 sold across Canada over the first six months of 2016 were to companies ferrying passengers from hotel to airport, cargo from warehouse to retail outlet, and so on.

On that note Mercedes sells passenger and cargo variants of this uniquely intermediate-sized van, the former my transport du jour, and while we were tempted my photographic partner and I stayed the urge to round up eight of our friends for a rowdy commute to an afternoon ballgame. We would've all been quite comfortable, its six rear seats almost as roomy and supportive as the two up front, although after time well spent behind the wheel I've decided Read Full Story