What does Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC® actually do?

Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC® is all-wheel drive. It sends engine or motor power to all four wheels so the car can find grip when one wheel slips. On its 4MATIC® brand page, Mercedes-Benz says “4MATIC® all-wheel drive maximizes traction by engaging all four wheels.” On gasoline models, the company says the system feeds power to the front axle through a transfer case in the transmission. The rear axle is driven as well, so both ends of the car can pull.

The mechanical part is only half of it. Mercedes-Benz also describes the 4-wheel Electronic Traction System, or 4-ETS. The brand page says 4-ETS “is built to detect the onset of wheelspin.” It then pulses the brake at the slipping wheel, so power moves to the wheels that still have grip.

In practice, that matters most when you pull away. Think of a slushy parking lot, a wet incline at a light, or a driveway after a light snow. With power at both axles, one slipping wheel is less likely to leave the car stuck. That is the job 4MATIC® is built for.

Is every Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC®?

No. Mercedes-Benz USA sells several current models with rear-wheel or front-wheel drive alongside their 4MATIC® versions. Mercedes-Benz says 4MATIC® is available on nearly all of its vehicles around the world. Available is the key word. On the model pages we checked, a name that includes “4MATIC®” or “4MATIC®+” is all-wheel drive. G-Class and some AMG® names differ, so check the window sticker of the exact car you are looking at.

If winter driving is part of your decision, ask for the 4MATIC® version by name. You can research Mercedes-Benz models on our vehicle research hub, or browse our C-Class and E-Class pages.

Is 4MATIC® always on, or does it switch in when needed?

It depends on the model. Some 4MATIC® systems always drive both axles, while others shift power between the axles as conditions change. Mercedes-Benz describes more than one version of 4MATIC®, so read each model’s own page rather than assuming they all behave the same way.

• Always engaged. On the 2026 C 300 4MATIC® and 2027 E 350 4MATIC® Sedans, Mercedes-Benz USA says 4MATIC® is “Always engaged and optimizing torque to every wheel.”
• Variable (certain vehicles). Mercedes-Benz says variable all-wheel drive can change from front-wheel drive for steady cruising to an even front-rear split for harsher conditions. The 2027 GLA 250 4MATIC® can send up to 50 percent of engine torque to the rear wheels.
• Fully variable. Mercedes-Benz USA lists the 2027 GLE 350 4MATIC® with “4MATIC® fully variable all-wheel drive.” It can send from zero to 100 percent of engine torque to either axle.

Mercedes-Benz does not publish a fixed front-rear split for the non-AMG® models we checked, so we will not guess one. What every version shares is the goal: put power where the grip is. If you are weighing a GLE against a rival SUV, our 2027 GLE vs BMW X5 comparison covers the rest of the picture.

What is the difference between 4MATIC® and 4MATIC®+?

4MATIC®+ is an AMG® system. Mercedes-Benz says AMG® Performance 4MATIC®+ can transition from all-wheel drive to 100 percent rear-wheel drive. Mercedes-Benz says AMG® Performance 4MATIC®+ continuously calculates the ideal torque distribution. The 2027 AMG® GLC 53 4MATIC®+, for example, is listed with “AMG® Performance 4MATIC®+ fully variable all-wheel drive.” Some AMG® models, such as the AMG® C 43 and AMG® G 63, are listed with AMG® Performance 4MATIC® instead.

For AMG® models with permanent all-wheel drive, Mercedes-Benz lists a split of 31:69 front to rear on sedans, coupes and cabriolets, and 40:60 on SUVs. Mercedes-Benz gives no split figures for the non-AMG® versions on that page. In winter, the AMG® system works toward the same goal as any 4MATIC®: traction. Like every version, it can only use the grip the tires provide. Check what an AMG® is fitted with before the cold arrives.

How does 4MATIC® work on an electric Mercedes-Benz?

On the 2027 EQS Sedan, 4MATIC® means dual electric motors, per Mercedes-Benz USA. The single-motor EQS 450+ is rear-wheel drive. Mercedes-Benz USA lists the 2027 EQS 500 4MATIC® Sedan with “Dual permanently synchronous electric motors” and “Fully variable 4MATIC® All-Wheel Drive with Torque Shift.” Mercedes-Benz describes the transfer case for its combustion models. Mercedes-Benz USA also lists a 2027 CLA 350 4MATIC® ELECTRIC Sedan.

Mercedes-Benz does not publish how Torque Shift divides power between the motors, so we leave that detail to the brand. The buying rule is simple: on an electric Mercedes-Benz, look for 4MATIC® in the model name if you want both axles driven. See the lineup on our Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles page.

Does 4MATIC® help you stop or steer on ice?

In our view, not directly. 4MATIC® helps the car move off and keep traction under power, but stopping and turning grip comes from the tires. This is our own view, and it follows from how the system works. 4MATIC® manages the power going to the wheels. When you brake, every car uses all four tires, whether it is all-wheel drive or not. A 4MATIC® car on worn or summer tires can still slide at the next stop sign.

NHTSA also advises that if you have antilock brakes, you should apply firm, continuous pressure to the brake pedal. In our view, a 4MATIC® Mercedes-Benz still needs the same space and patience on ice as any other car. Confidence from easy starts can tempt a driver to arrive at the next corner too fast.

Do you still need winter tires if your Mercedes-Benz has 4MATIC®?

4MATIC® does not replace good tires. NHTSA advises drivers to consider snow tires; in our view, that includes all-wheel-drive cars. Tires are where the car meets the road. All-wheel drive can only use the grip the tires provide. NHTSA’s winter checklist also asks you to make sure your tread is at least 2/32 of an inch on all tires.

Whether you need dedicated winter tires depends on how you drive. A driver who stays home on snow days has different needs from one who commutes at dawn year-round. Our view is that it is worth a conversation before winter arrives. The Mercedes-Benz Tire Center site, linked from our Tire Center page, lists winter tires and winter tire and wheel packages among its categories.

Snow chains are a separate question. Check your own Operator’s Manual for whether chains suit your wheels and tires before buying any. You can contact our service team to confirm what fits your car. Service offers on our service offers page list their own dates and terms.

What does a Central Virginia winter ask of a 4MATIC® driver?

Winter freezes with occasional snow and ice. Richmond averages about 8.8 inches of snow a year, according to National Weather Service normals. Those National Weather Service figures cover 1991 to 2020 at Richmond International Airport. January is the snowiest month, at 3.7 inches, and its normal low is 28.8°F. Midlothian has no separate figure. These numbers are context only, not a Mercedes-Benz service condition.

Cold weather makes two things worth watching. One is tire pressure. NHTSA notes that “As the outside temperature drops, so does tire inflation pressure.” NHTSA says to fill each tire to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended inflation pressure, not the pressure listed on the tire itself. The other is tread depth, and NHTSA says tread should be at least 2/32 of an inch on all tires.

Shopping at a Mercedes-Benz dealer in Midlothian or a Mercedes-Benz dealer near Richmond? You may be asking whether 4MATIC® is enough on its own. Our view is that it is a real help, and it works best on tires that suit the season.

How do you get a 4MATIC® Mercedes-Benz ready for winter?

Confirm you have 4MATIC®, then check tread and pressure, decide on winter tires, and pack a small kit. These steps follow NHTSA’s winter guidance, with our notes on where we can help.

1. Confirm you have 4MATIC®. Look for “4MATIC®” in the model name on your window sticker, or ask our team to check.
2. Check tread depth. NHTSA says tread should be at least 2/32 of an inch on all tires. If you are close, plan replacements through our Tire Center.
3. Set pressure cold. NHTSA says to check tires when they have not been driven for at least three hours. Fill to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure, not the number printed on the tire.
4. Decide on winter tires. NHTSA advises drivers to consider snow tires. Talk with our service department about winter tires or a winter wheel and tire package for your model.
5. Pack a winter kit. NHTSA suggests a snow shovel, broom and ice scraper, plus sand or kitty litter for traction. Add jumper cables, a flashlight and warning devices such as flares or emergency markers.
6. Add supplies for a long wait. NHTSA also lists blankets, water, non-perishable food, and a cell phone with a car charger.
7. Drive for the surface. Slow down and leave extra following distance. In our view, 4MATIC® helps you start; it does not shorten the stop.

Tires are also a cost driver in ownership, which our Mercedes-Benz maintenance costs guide explains. You can also order Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts online. Shopping for a 4MATIC® model? See the Mercedes-Benz national offers posted on our site, with their dates and terms, and our financing options.