What is Mercedes-Benz 4Matic?

Like Audi's quattro and BMW's xDrive, Mercedes offers its own four-wheel-drive system called 4Matic. 

Originally introduced in the 1980s on the W124 estate (the equivalent of the modern E-Class), 4Matic was designed to enhance on-road stability and grip, in contrast to Audi's motorsport-derived quattro system. Today, 4Matic is available across most of the Mercedes-Benz range, including SUVs and high-performance cars.

How does Mercedes-Benz 4Matic work?

The 4Matic badge appears on a range of Mercedes cars, but the actual system within varies depending on the model. Some 4Matic cars have part-time four-wheel drive, while others use a full-time system or even an electric variant.

More affordable 4Matic models, such as the Mercedes A-Class, the GLA and the GLB, typically operate in front-wheel drive, but the system can send power to the rear wheels when needed. A clutch system detechs wheel slip and engages the rear axle accordingly.

Higher-end 4Matic models like the GLE, GLS and the E-Class All Terrain have permanent four-wheel drive. That means that power is continuously sent to all four wheels, with sensors determining which wheels need the most grip.

Performance models have an upgraded system called 4Matic+, which you'll find on cars like the AMG E63 S and C63 S. This system can send up to 100% of the car's power to either the front or rear wheels, which means that in certain AMG models you can even have a rear-wheel-drive mode.

Electric models use a different system that uses independnt motors on the front and rear axles, offering instant torque distribution with none of the lag you'll find on traditional four-wheel-drive systems.

What are the advantages of Mercedes-Benz 4Matic?

If you regulalry drive on wet, snowy or muddy roads, 4Matic can give you better grip and stability compared to two-wheel-drive models.

The handling will be improved with reduced wheel spin and enhanced stablilty on slippery roads. And if you plan on taking your car off-road, 4Matic is essential for SUVs like the Mercedes G-Class, which have terrain-specific settings for different types of surface.

Drivers that want to tow can also benefit from 4Matic. For example, a 4Matic-equipped Mercedes GLB 200d can tow 2000kg, while the two-wheel-drive model can manage only 1800kg.

Looking for outright performance? High-powered AMG models use 4Matic+ to maximise acceleration and control, harnessing all the power from the engine and using all four wheels to deploy it onto the tarmac.

What are the disadvantages of Mercedes-Benz 4Matic?

The most obvious disadvantage of buying a Mercedes-Benz with four-wheel drive is the added cost – adding 4Matic to a Mercedes car typically adds several thousand pounds to the price. You'll also likely lose out in fuel consumption too. Four-wheel-drive systems create more mechanical resistance, and extra weight, too, which requires extra fuel to overcome.

In addition, the extra complexity of the four-wheel-drive system means potentially higher servicing costs in the long run.

If your brushes with inclement weather or slippery conditions are relatively minimal, you might want to consider a two-wheel-drive car equipped with winter tyres. In snowy or icy conditions, this will very often outperform a 4Matic model on summer tyres.