The only ever Merc I had was a 2004 CLK, based on the c class. Most solid car ever. Also the most boring coupe ever, but absolutely rock solid.
I like your thinking, but making an assumption about the OP as a first time car buyer they aren‘t that experienced at driving and likely learnt to drive in a FWD car. In such circumstances, I wouldn‘t be recommending a RWD car to someone who isn‘t used to driving one and who plans to use it for trips to the mountains.
Alright: mid sized station wagon, famously reliable, petrol engine around 150 hp... and front wheel drive: the Mazda 6. https://www.autoscout24.ch/de/d/mazd...ingPosition=25