I’ve driven many new Mercedes models and have come to the conclusion that this brand does steering better than anyone right now. From a Metris Van to a GLE…MB steering has a way of being light and very accurate. Very little steering effort and corrections are needed. Kind of weird not many journalists mention this as far as I know.
Does anyone know what makes their steering so good? Mechanical parts or calibration?
Recently I test drove a Mini Cooper S. My usual test drive is on a bendy road around a nearby lake and some straights thereabouts. Was missing the steering of my AMG 43 coupè on every single corner. It’s a bit softer on the Cooper, but the precision and feel on the AMG is just another level… I do happen to have an old Hyundai accent (sold as Verna in my country) as well that I use as a beater. In terms of softness, the Cooper sits about 80% of the way between the Verna and the AMG.
What was the production year of that AMG? Interesting, it’s either the AMG or the previous years Mercs had better steering. I own a 2019 non-AMG W205 and a same year JCW and they aren’t even close in that regard.
AMG '22, Mini '23. And yes, the AMGs have much sharper and harder steering, brakes, suspension and accelerator feedback than non AMG models from personal experience (I have also driven gla and GLC). As a matter of fact, I think the feedback on the JCW is somewhat better than the S. I think we have ended up experiencing different spectrums of the two brands. Especially given my assessment of the Hyundai feedback is the same as what you’ve mentioned… Hence ranked it at the bottom.