Mercedes Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles which has long grounded and established its name as one of the well-known brands in the automotive industry. With this distinction, there is no doubt that Mercedes Benz awes and leaves people raving about owning one.

What makes one want to buy and own a Mercedes Benz anyway?

For many years now, Mercedes Benz has put forward a number of innovations in the car industry. It first developed the “Safety cell” construction in 1951 which was considered as one of the most important breakthroughs in automobile safety. Mercedes Benz was also the one who introduced the Anti-lock brakes (ABS), traction control and airbags to the market. These are but just some of the few types of safety equipment which were first developed, tested and implemented by Mercedes Benz—all in the name of automobile and passenger safety.

Mercedes has also made its mark in Advertising and Marketing. It has long been getting promotion in top rating Hollywood movies depicting glamor, prestige and elegance to the elite. It has also a renowned reputation in the motor sports industry namely: Formula Three, DTM and Formula One – where the company part owns Team McLaren. This affiliation has brought about success including the championships of famed drivers Mika Hakkinen and Lewis Hamilton.

So which is Mercedes Benz’ claim to fame? Is it the solidity and reliability of the car or the stature and esteem of having an automobile with a star on the hood? One way or another, it will still boil down to these two key distinctions – Quality and Prestige. Truth remains that Mercedes Benz has long built its reputation for the quality and durability it offers to the market, and its prominent and classy status to the elite. These are reasons that make one want to buy and own a Mercedes Benz. Test drive one today at a Mercedes Dealer in San Antonio, Dallas or Houston.

Gas prices are on everyone’s mind. As if your car payment and insurance costs aren’t enough to factor in, these days you really have to take fuel costs into consideration.

Keep in mind that Mercedes offers 45 different car models in many different body styles.

I’ll start with the good news first.

The most fuel effecient car that Mercedes Benz offers is the E-Class Model E550 Sedan with a 36 MPG rating. Makes you want to rush right out and get one. It has a sticker price in the low 60’s. (for specific figures clickthe square with the black car and get the real low down)

At the far end we have the Mercedes G-Class Model G55 AMG SUV (Mercedes classifies these as light trucks) which comes in at 13 Miles Per Gallon and retails in the low 110’s. But the real story here is the AMG-built supercharged 5.5L 24-valve V-8 engine – 493 hp @ 6,100 rpm.

Yow! an SUV with 493 horses? Well if they were horses, you would certainly spend some serious money keeping them fed and watered so 13mpg still seems like a bargain.

All models considered, here are some breakdowns and avereages.

The average MPG rating for all 45 Mercedes models is 21 MPG

There are 16 models with MPG ratings from 13-19 MPG, 21 models covering a span of 20 to 28 MPG and 2 models at 35 and 36 miles per gallon.

Ratings you can live with.

Happy motoring!