Ambient lighting is a feature of most modern luxury vehicles, and Mercedes Benz has added ambient lighting to their cars for the last few generations. This feature used to be a small number of different colors, but on current Mercedes Benz models, you can choose from up to 64 colors.
So, which Mercedes models have this feature? This article will examine what cars have ambient lighting as standard and how much it costs as an optional extra. We’ll also show you how to access and change the ambient lighting in your Mercedes.
Let’s get started!
What does ambient lighting look like in a Mercedes Benz?
The Mercedes Benz ambient lighting system features an array of LEDs throughout the cabin. These lights illuminate the doors, dashboard, console, and footwells in color, as shown below:
What colors are available for Mercedes ambient lighting?
With 64 ambient colors available, there is plenty to choose from in your Mercedes. You can change from a simple white to almost anything, with blues, reds, yellows, and many more options. With this many options and the brightness settings, you’ll be able to create your perfect mood inside the cabin.
How do I access ambient lighting on my Mercedes Benz?
To access the ambient lighting menu in your Mercedes, scroll along your infotainment menu until you get to the comfort app. Once there, the comfort app will allow you to adjust both the color and the brightness of your ambient lighting.
It’s worth pointing out that you can adjust the brightness to different levels throughout your Mercedes – so if you want full brightness in the front only, you can adjust it using this menu.
You also have the option to choose animation colors, which will change between different pre-set shades depending on your choice. This is available if you have the MBUX feature on your Mercedes.
What are Mercedes brightness zones?
Within your ambient lighting menu, you have the option to change brightness zones. This option allows you to set the brightness level in each area of your Mercedes individually. For example, if you want ambient lighting in the front but you have a passenger sleeping in the back, you can turn the rear ambient lighting off.
What is Mercedes Active Ambient Lighting?
Alongside the standard, 64-color ambient lighting setup, a number of current models include ‘Active Ambient Lighting’. This feature steps up the experience, allowing the ambient lighting system to react to situations in the car.
With active ambient lighting, your lights will react to adjustments in the climate control settings and flash when you’re using the ‘Hey Mercedes’ system. They can also be set to ‘welcome’ you when entering your Mercedes, which is a pretty nice touch.
The active system also reacts to alerts from your Mercedes, like traffic alerts or collision warnings. When I first heard about the active ambient system, I’ll happily admit I was a bit skeptical. And it sounds like a marketing feature, but it’s used impressively here.
We’ve included those models with the option below.
Does every Mercedes come with Ambient Lighting?
Every Mercedes model has the option to include standard, 64-color ambient lighting. It’s not available as standard on every model, though, so we’ve split the list into two sections below:
Mercedes models with ambient lighting as standard
Most current Mercedes Benz models come with ambient lighting as a standard feature. This means you don’t need to pay for any optional extras to access ambient lighting. The full list of current Mercedes models with ambient lighting as standard is below.
We’ve also included those models with Active Ambient Lighting – whether it’s a standard feature, or optional extra. You’ll find those Mercedes models with the ‘Active’ description. If there’s no info listed against a model, it doesn’t include active lighting.
Electric Models
- EQB 250
- EQB 300
- EQB 350
- EQE 350 Sedan (Active: standard on Exclusive & Pinnacle trims)
- EQE 500 Sedan (Active: standard on Exclusive & Pinnacle trims)
- EQE AMG Sedan (Active: standard on Exclusive & Pinnacle trims)
- EQE 350 SUV (Active: standard on Exclusive & Pinnacle trims)
- EQE 500 SUV (Active: standard on Exclusive & Pinnacle trims)
- EQS 450 Sedan (Active: $590 on Premium, Exclusive & Pinnacle trims)
- EQS 580 Sedan (Active: $590 on Premium, Exclusive & Pinnacle trims)
- EQS AMG Sedan (Active: standard on Premium, Exclusive & Pinnacle trims)
- EQS 450 SUV
- EQS 580 SUV
SUV Models
- GLA 35 AMG
- GLA 45 AMG
- GLB 35 AMG
- GLC 300 SUV
- GLC 300 Coupe
- GLC 43 AMG Coupe
- GLE 350
- GLE 450
- GLE 450e
- GLE 53 AMG
- GLE 53 AMG Coupe
- GLE 63S AMG Coupe
- GLS 450
- GLS 580
- GLS 63S AMG
- G 550
- G 63S AMG
- Maybach GLS 600
Sedan Models
- A 220
- C 300
- C 43 AMG
- E 350
- E 450
- E 53 AMG
- S 500 (Active: standard on all trims)
- S 580 (Active: standard on all trims)
- S 580e (Active: standard on all trims)
- Maybach S 580 (Active: standard on all trims)
- Maybach S 680 (Active: standard on all trims)
Coupe Models
- CLA 250
- CLA 35 AMG
- CLA 45 AMG
- C 300
- C 43 AMG
- C 63S AMG
- E 450
- E 53 AMG
- CLS 450
- AMG GT 43
- AMG GT 53
- AMG GT 63
- AMG GT 63S
Convertible Models
- C 300
- C 43 AMG
- C 63S AMG
- E 450
- E 53 AMG
- SL 43 AMG
- SL 55 AMG
- SL 63 AMG
Mercedes models with ambient lighting as an optional extra
On a small number of current Mercedes Benz models, ambient lighting is an optional extra. On the GLA and GLB entry-level models, you can add ambient lighting as a standalone extra for the below cost:
- GLA 250 – $310
- GLB 250 – $310
Do older Mercedes models include ambient lighting?
If you’re looking for a preowned Mercedes and you want to know if it has ambient lighting, we’ve put together a list to help. For newer models, like the electric Mercedes range, every preowned model will include ambient lighting. For models like the A-Class and GLC, older models may not include ambient lighting.
It’s worth mentioning that Mercedes have developed their lighting tech significantly in the past few years. Pre-owned models are likely to include just 12 colors to choose from, and the ambient lighting layout will be different.
A-Class models with ambient lighting
- Models from 2016 onwards can include ambient lighting.
C-Class models with ambient lighting
- Models from 2019 onwards can include ambient lighting.
E-Class models with ambient lighting
- Models from 2016 onwards can include ambient lighting.
GLA models with ambient lighting
- Models from 2018 onwards can include ambient lighting.
GLC models with ambient lighting
- Models from 2017 onwards can include ambient lighting.
GLC models with ambient lighting
- Models from 2019 onwards can include ambient lighting.
Mercedes Ambient Lighting Problems
Like any technology, your ambient lighting can have issues. Sometimes, these issues can be easily fixed, but what can you do if you have a problem with your ambient lighting?
One ambient lighting section isn’t working.
If you have a damaged lighting strip and one section of your lighting isn’t working, this is likely a hardware issue. The best solution is to book a service with your local Mercedes dealership, which can replace the damaged light strip.
Ambient lighting isn’t turning on / not bright enough
If your Mercedes ambient lighting isn’t working or the entire cabin is dim, there could be a couple of reasons. Usually, this isn’t a hardware issue, so the good news is your light strips probably won’t need replacing.
It might sound obvious, but the first thing to check is if your brightness is turned down. In the ambient lighting menu (the comfort app within your infotainment screen), make sure you have brightness set to full, just to check.
If that doesn’t fix the issue, it is likely a software problem. Your local Mercedes garage should be able to complete a quick reset, and in most cases, this will fix the issue completely.
If you liked this article and want to find out more about the options from Mercedes and other manufacturers, check out the links below:
Mercedes Multimedia Package Explained
Which Audi Models Have Ambient Lighting?
The Best Mercedes Packages and Options
