Mercedes W189 Review: Generations and Which One to Buy
Overview of the Mercedes W189 sedan (1957–1962): its single generation, the 160 hp 3.0 AT version, and buying advice.
The Mercedes W189 is a sedan produced from 1957 to 1962 with a power output of 160 hp across its range. Every W189 pairs an automatic gearbox with rear-wheel drive, so it suits the buyer looking for a classic-era luxury sedan with effortless, shift-free driving rather than sporting performance.
Mercedes W189 generations
1 generation
The first and only generation of the Mercedes W189 was built from 1957 to 1962 exclusively as a sedan. It offers a single modification: the 3.0 AT, powered by a 2996 cc engine producing 160 hp, sent to the rear wheels through an automatic transmission. The Mercedes W189 3.0 AT accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 18.0 seconds, which fits the character of a stately sedan of its era rather than a performance machine. With only one engine, one gearbox and one body style, the lineup is as simple as it gets — there is no configuration puzzle to solve.
Which Mercedes W189 to buy
- 3.0 AT (1 generation): the only modification offered, its 2996 cc engine delivers 160 hp with an automatic gearbox and rear-wheel drive, reaching 100 km/h in 18.0 seconds.
Because production ended in 1962, any Mercedes W189 on the market today is a decades-old classic, so condition and history of the specific example matter far more than choosing between versions — there is only one version to choose. The single-modification lineup also simplifies the search: every 1957–1962 car carries the same 160 hp powertrain, so comparing candidates comes down to the cars themselves, not their specifications.
Specifications at a glance
The Mercedes W189 range is defined by one consistent set of figures. Body style: sedan. Production years: 1957–1962. Power: 160 hp in every version. Transmission: automatic only. Drivetrain: rear-wheel drive only. Engine displacement: 2996 cc. Acceleration to 100 km/h: 18.0 seconds for the 3.0 AT. Number of modifications in the 1 generation: one.
For a buyer who wants this specific car, the decision is straightforward: the Mercedes W189 3.0 AT of the 1 generation is the car, in its only available form — a 160 hp, rear-wheel-drive automatic sedan from 1957–1962.