Driving sensations, not just specifications
What is a Mercedes GLS? Simply, it is Mercedes’ largest and most luxurious SUV. And, it might also be the most family-friendly vehicle that Mercedes makes. I'm a family man, so let's dig into the 2025 Mercedes GLS 450 4MATIC and see if it is the premium alternative to minivans like the Toyota Sienna. This… Continue reading 2025 Mercedes GLS 450 Review: Show Me the Money
I have just one memory of my Great Grandma Martha. I am three years old, riding in the back of her red 1986 Mercedes 300E with my mom, and passing paper notes to Martha up front. As Martha is nearly deaf, the notes are our only way to communicate with her while we are on… Continue reading 2026 Mercedes GLC 300 Review: Heirloom Quality?
I've got a surprise treat today: a well-equipped 2026 Mercedes AMG GLC 43 4MATIC. As a petrolhead and driving enthusiast, AMGs are right up my alley, and as a dad of two, the compact SUVs like the GLC just make sense. Put them together, and the AMG GLC 43 could be a home run! So… Continue reading 2026 Mercedes AMG GLC 43: The Neiman Marcus Hot Hatch
What is the easiest way to be underwhelmed by a $200k Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600? Drive a $260k Mercedes-Maybach S680 first! Sadly, that is what I’m doing today. I’ve just completed test drives of the Mercedes-Maybach S680, Lucid Air, and Lucid Gravity, and now I’m getting behind the wheel of the 2025 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600. It’s… Continue reading 2025 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600: Sibling Rivalry
The two cars that we have here today have little in common. One is my 2016 Mercedes AMG GT S, and the other is my friend Sage’s 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata. Both cars may be on the chopping block soon. I’ve owned the AMG GT S for about five years, and the itch for a… Continue reading 2016 Mazda MX-5 and 2016 Mercedes AMG GT S: Shake Rattle ‘N No-Roll
“Would you like me to chauffeur you so you can enjoy the executive rear seat?” asks the friendly Mercedes-Maybach S680 chaperone. “No thanks, I’ll drive,” I respond. But on second thought, I may have made the wrong choice, as I’ve just turned down a chance to experience life living like a royal. Ah, dear reader,… Continue reading 2025 Mercedes-Maybach S680 Poses a Tough Question
How much is an hour worth to you? Specifically, an hour in a stuffy, 95°F airport rental car office with a dozen impatient customers and your two travel-weary children? My wife would gladly pay an extra €500 ($589) to escape this hour of hell. Frankly, €500 is too much for me—double the cost of our… Continue reading 2024 Mercedes CLA 180d Shooting Brake: More Capable than Compact
(Dear reader: This piece is my travel journal from my Wild West road trip across California, Nevada, and Utah. I hope you enjoy hearing about my eight days on the road and the memories I made.) Day 1: Climbing Out of California It's a midday start to my road trip. My 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S's… Continue reading 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S: UFO in the Wild West
They say beggars can’t be choosers, but I’m going to put that to the test. I’m at my local Mercedes-Benz dealership, with the goal of snagging a new Mercedes to review. “I’d love to try the new GLC if you have one to loan,” I tell my service advisor. He checks what is available. “We’ve… Continue reading 2024 Mercedes GLB 250 4Matic: The Choosy Beggar
Valuable life advice can come at you from unexpected places. For example, I was driving through Oakland and spotted a bumper sticker on a Dodge Charger that said, "F*** around and find out." What sage advice! I applied this helpful nugget to my time with the Mercedes C300, f***ing around to find out why Mercedes offers… Continue reading 2024 Mercedes C300 4MATIC: Smash or Chill?
Mike's Steering Column 