New Mercedes-Benz Models

More luxury brands are entering the small-crossover segment, including Mercedes-Benz, which expands its lineup of luxury crossovers with the new five-seat GLK-Class. Offered in GLK350 form with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, it features recognizable Mercedes styling cues as well as available high-tech features. 

The CLS line receives a light restyling for 2009 in a model that's otherwise mostly unchanged. Including the CLS550 and CLS63 AMG, the CLS-Class competes with the likes of the Audi A8, BMW 650 and Jaguar XK. 

With the most dramatically changed face since its adoption of circular headlights 15 years ago, Mercedes-Benz's redesigned E-Class sedan boasts a long list of new safety technologies and luxury features. Once all variants hit the showroom, the E-Class will be available with four engines, rear- or all-wheel drive, three suspensions and two luxury orientations. 

The best-selling SUV in Mercedes' stable has been significantly redesigned for 2009 with exterior and interior styling changes, slight efficiency boosts, new and upgraded features and one of the first diesel models clean enough to be sold in all 50 states. The four trim levels are: the ML350 with a V-6 engine; the ML550 and ML63 AMG, both with V-8 power; and the ML320 Bluetec, which is a cleaned-up version of the earlier ML320 CDI. The ML's competitors include Audi's Q7, BMW's X5 and Land Rover's LR3. 

The 2009 model year brings the most significant changes in years to Mercedes-Benz's SL-Class retractable-hardtop roadster, including exterior, interior and drivetrain upgrades. The model competes in the market with the likes of the Cadillac XLR and Jaguar XK convertible. 

For 2009, Mercedes-Benz's small retractable-hardtop roadster gains some styling changes inside and out, and the SLK350's V-6 engine gets a boost in power. The updated SLK-Class hits dealerships in the spring of 2008. Competitors include the BMW Z4 and Audi TT. 

Mercedes-Benz redesigned its entry-level C-Class sedan last year, offering new styling reminiscent of the automaker's S-Class flagship. Engine choices remain the same for 2009: The C300 has a 228-horsepower V-6, while the C350 offers a larger, 268-hp V-6 and the high-performance C63 AMG packs a 451-hp V-8. Prime competitors include the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Infiniti G35.  

Mercedes-Benz redesigned its entry-level C-Class sedan two years ago, offering new styling reminiscent of the automaker's S-Class flagship. Engine choices remain the same for 2010: The C300 has a 228-horsepower V-6, while the C350 offers a larger 268-hp V-6, and the high-performance C63 AMG packs a 451-hp V-8. Prime competitors include the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Infiniti G37.  

The CL-Class is a two-door equivalent of the German automaker's high-end S-Class sedan. The CL-Class competes with the Bentley Continental GT and BMW M6. It gains a number of new options for 2009, including a parking assist system designed to make it easier to parallel park the CL-Class. 

The CL-Class is the two-door equivalent of the German automaker's high-end S-Class sedan. The CL-Class competes with the Bentley Continental GT and BMW M6. It gains a few new options for 2010, including an attention-assist system and other tech features designed to assist the driver.  

The CLK-Class is sold as either a convertible (Cabriolet) or a coupe. CLK competitors include the Jaguar XK and BMW 650. 

The CLS-Class includes two models: the CLS550 and the high-performance CLS63 AMG. The CLS-Class competes with the likes of the Audi A8, BMW 650 and Jaguar XK. It's known for its coupe-like styling, even though it's a sedan. 

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class soldiers on with only a few notable changes. The E-Class is wedged between the smaller, more-affordable C-Class and the pricey, full-sized S-Class in Mercedes' lineup. Its size and price put the E-Class in competition with models such as the BMW 5 Series, Cadillac STS and Lexus GS. 

For 2009, Mercedes-Benz has replaced the G500--a former military vehicle--with the 382-horsepower G550. It also boosted the G55 AMG's supercharged engine to 500 hp. Mercedes-Benz focuses largely on road-going manners with its M-Class SUV, but the G-Class is a hard-core offroad machine that comfortably seats five people. Competitors include the Hummer H2 and Land Rover Range Rover. 

Mercedes-Benz focuses largely on road-going manners with its M-Class SUV, but the G-Class is a hard-core off-road machine that comfortably seats five people. Competitors include the Hummer H2 and Land Rover Range Rover.  

The GL-Class lineup consists of the diesel GL320 and the gas GL450 and GL550. The GL-series seats seven people with a third row seat. The GL competes with the Acura MDX and BMW X5.  

The GL-Class lineup consists of the diesel GL350 Bluetec (formerly the GL320) and the gas GL450 and GL550. All GLs seat seven people in three rows of seats. The GL competes with the Acura MDX and BMW X5.  

Mercedes' midsize M-Class SUV was significantly redesigned last year with exterior and interior styling changes, slight efficiency boosts, new and upgraded features and one of the first diesel models clean enough to be sold in all 50 states. The evolution of the M-Class continues for 2010 with the introduction of a hybrid model. Competitors include the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Land Rover LR4. 

For 2009, the R350 and diesel R320 continue on with some changes, most notably the addition of Mercedes' Pre-Safe automated collision-mitigation system. This safety system quickly and automatically prepares the vehicle for a crash by tightening the seatbelts and performing other actions. The R320's old CDI engine is replaced by a new Bluetec turbo-diesel V-6, a clean-burning diesel engine, which produces 210 horsepower and 398 pounds-feet of torque. Both models seat six people standard, and have an optional seventh seat. The Lexus RX and Cadillac SRX are among the R-Class' competitors. 

For 2010, the R350 and diesel R350 (formerly R320) continue with some changes, most notably the addition of Mercedes' Post-Safe system, which unlocks the doors and shuts off the engine and fuel system after an accident. The R350 diesel is powered by a Bluetec turbo-diesel V-6 that produces 210 horsepower and 400 pounds-feet of torque. Both R350s seat six standard, but can be equipped to seat seven. The Lexus RX and Cadillac SRX are among the R-Class' competitors.  

Mercedes-Benz's flagship S-Class sedan was redesigned for the 2007 model year and emerged as a larger car with a raft of safety features. The S-Class shares luxury-sedan real estate with competitors like the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Bentley Continental Flying Spur. 

Mercedes-Benz's flagship S-Class sedan was redesigned for the 2007 model year and emerged as a larger car with a raft of safety features. The S-Class shares luxury-sedan real estate with competitors like the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Bentley Continental Flying Spur. 

The SL-Class retractable-hardtop roadster competes in the upper-crust sport-luxury market with the likes of the Jaguar XK convertible and BMW 650i convertible. 

Mercedes-Benz's small retractable-hardtop roadster comes with a choice of V-6 engines or as a V-8-powered AMG performance model. Competitors for the SLK-Class include the BMW Z4 and Audi TT. 

Mercedes-Benz stays in the supercar segment with its 2009 SLR McLaren Roadster. As a six-figure convertible, the SLR McLaren has few in its market segment, but competitors include offerings from Porsche, Ferrari and Aston Martin.