Understanding the system of letters and numbers denoting each specific Mercedes-Benz badge will help you find your dream vehicle faster. Image: Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

When choosing your next Mercedes-Benz, you probably instinctively know what features are most important to you, be it luxury, power, utility, sportiness, sustainability or family-friendly aspects.

Understanding the system of letters and numbers denoting each specific Mercedes-Benz badge can help you quickly home in on your ideal model and simplify the buying process.

We’ve already deciphered the letters that differentiate each distinctive variant in the Mercedes-Benz range. Learn ‘The ABCs of Mercedes-Benz’ to better understand the difference between an A, C, E or S-Class, plus many more. Once you’ve discovered the type of car or SUV that fits your needs, the next question is which model to purchase. What’s the difference between a 250 and a 350, for example? Or a 53 and a 63?

The lowdown on engine size

Once upon a time, the numbers in a Mercedes-Benz model name would more-or-less directly reflect engine size – 190 for a 1.9-litre engine, 350 for a 3.5-litre engine, and so forth. But the increasing use of fuel-efficient turbocharging, which can achieve different power outputs from smaller capacity engines, required a rethink.