Overview & Reviews

"Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes-Benz?" That's the opening line of "Mercedes-Benz," a song most famously recorded by singer Janis Joplin in the early 1970s. The tune gently poked fun at materialism and our desire for the finer things in life. It's fitting that the renowned German marque figures prominently in the lyric. Mercedes-Benz has long been known for crafting vehicles that emphasize luxury and refinement. For many, its vehicles are sleek symbols of status, success and good taste.

In January of 1886, Karl Benz unveiled the world's first automobile, a three-wheeled vehicle dubbed the Benz Patent Motor Car. A few months later, Gottlieb Daimler and his chief engineer Wilhelm Maybach rolled out a four-wheeled vehicle powered by his Daimler engine. The first Mercedes was crafted in 1901, shortly after Daimler's death. Built by Maybach, the car was commissioned by Emil Jellinek, one of Daimler's primary distributors, and was ultimately named after Jellinek's daughter, Mercedes.

In 1926, the companies founded by Daimler and Benz merged to form Daimler-Benz AG, and the Mercedes-Benz brand was born. The company's insignia was a three-pointed star wreathed in a laurel; the star was dreamed up by Daimler years earlier, and its three points signified the fact that his engines were used in vehicles that traveled land, air and sea.

Right from the start, the Mercedes-Benz name was synonymous with automotive excellence. One of the automaker's earliest vehicles, the 1931 Mercedes-Benz 170, distinguished itself as the world's first production car to offer a technology that was nothing short of extraordinary for the day: four-wheel independent suspension. The '30s and '40s saw Mercedes establishing itself as the brand of choice for car buyers seeking the ultimate in luxury, thanks to coveted cruisers like the 380 and 540K.

The 1950s witnessed the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gullwing," a sports car that has been described as being the world's first supercar. With its dramatic styling and race-bred technology, the 300 SL reigns today as a classic coveted by collectors worldwide. The decade also saw Daimler-Benz making strides in the area of safety technology. The company's Mercedes-Benz 220 sedans were the first vehicles to incorporate its patented "crumple zone" body design, created to absorb impact in the event of a crash.

In 1963, the company cemented its reputation as the home of automotive luxury with the launch of the Mercedes-Benz 600. The elegant, luxurious sedan was also available as a limousine and featured an ahead-of-its-time air suspension system and a V8 engine that boasted 300 horsepower. The decade also saw the launch of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3. This full-size sedan went from zero to 60 in under seven seconds, distinguishing itself as the quickest luxury car is its day.

The 1970s saw the birth of the brand's storied S-Class line of vehicles, opulent sedans and coupes that coddled passengers with powerful engines and a long list of luxury features. The decade also saw Mercedes continuing on the cutting edge of safety technology, by being the first to offer antilock brakes in its vehicles.

Daimler-Benz's safety advancements continued in the 1980s. Its cars were the first to offer airbags and traction control. The manufacturer also raised the bar in terms of ride comfort and handling when it introduced multilink rear suspension. The technology debuted on the compact Mercedes-Benz 190 E, and it remains a vital component of the company's chassis engineering to this day.

Mercedes-Benz vehicles got an extra dose of power and performance in the 1990s, thanks to the manufacturer's partnership with AMG, a performance and tuning shop that was eventually purchased by the company to help produce ultra-high-performance versions of some of its vehicles. The first AMG model offered in the U.S. was the sporty C36 AMG in 1995; since then, Mercedes has gone on to offer an AMG-tuned version of almost all of its vehicles.

The company's current lineup is the most comprehensive in its history. With a variety of sedans, coupes, SUVs and roadsters filling Mercedes showrooms, it seems like the only thing missing is a pickup truck. Surely, the fact that Janis Joplin's song holds as much relevance today as it did four decades ago is a strong indicator that the brand's premier status is still very much intact.

User Reviews:

• 

  Great car buy. - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By RobsMBZ - October 29 - 10:00 am

  Im only 2 months into owning my C230, but already it feels like a keeper. What I like mostly is that it is quite heavy and solid for its size. No rattles. Stock wheels are beautiful. Suspension is firm but not jarring, considering the 45 profile tires. Engine has lots of power, yet Im getting 26mpg in town. Panorama roof is great. Choose your color carefully because the image of the care changes.

• 

  Happy Camper - 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Pam - October 29 - 7:23 am

  My first MB but not my first driving experience. I have been chauffering my Mom in her S500s for years never dreaming Id be shopping for a MB myself. Test drove the CLK550 and that was it! What a jewel. A real pleasure to find the combination of coupe and convertible with such style and pizzaz! It is perfect. Few things ever are. It sure suits my fancy and makes my day just a little brighter and more interesting. The one complaint I have aesthetically is the choice of rag tops. Whatever happened to that beautiful "buff" colored cloth. Black, Ash and Navy dont suit every ones taste!

• 

  clk500 convertible - 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By buckers - October 23 - 10:00 am

  This beauty stops traffic, esp. when the top is down. Capri blue metallic with the light ash interior. Even with the (blue) ragtop, the interior is quieter than our slk hardtop. And enough toys for any boy - or girl - to play all day. For only about $10,000 more than the new slk, it,s five times the car.

• 

  Simply Fantastic - 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By opulentanonymity - October 23 - 10:00 am

  Traded in my 04 Viper for this work of art. This AMG is very quick for a luxury feature packed coach. AMG will always be in my mind for future car purchases.

• 

  My 1st Mercedes - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By PADDYBOZZ - October 23 - 10:00 am

  I have been driving Lexus autos for 12 years .I have changed due to wanting a german auto after driving porsches. I tried e500 and it sooo nice , I will get one next year also . I trade every year . But what an auto ! I cant explain the difference , Between Lexus and Mercedes You have to drive one to experince it . Im sure you will agree . Paddybozz

• 

  Sams Baby - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Sue - October 21 - 2:46 pm

  I have wanted a Mercedes all of my adult life. My husband finally bought me one for our 30 anniversary. I love it! Its my baby! My old car is only two years old but when I drive it it feels like it is 10 years old. Nothing drives better than my Mercedes. I look forward to my next one. I hope that I will have the chance to move up to an even nicer model.

• 

  Head & Shoulders above an M3 - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By David1976 - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Incredible ride and handling. I also just smoked an M3 on the highway driving home.

• 

  E400 Hybrid a great car - 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By chrisl5 - October 20 - 6:58 am

  I have test driven a lot of hybrid cars and even the all electric car. Finally decided to get the all new 2014 E-400 hybrid. The transition between the hybrid and gas is smooth. The feel of the car is nice & solid. The local driving on hybrid is fun. When signed up with MBrace and MBrace+, the car is even more fun with all the internet functions. I like the voice recognition to input into navi system. My average city/highway is 30 mpg, non-aggressive driving, has some uphill/ downhill.

• 

  Almost perfect - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By rickkiboi - October 19 - 6:26 pm

  I love this vehicle! Also own an 02 C240 & an 06 ML350. This is an all- out luxury people mover! Comfortable and roomy front and 2nd row seating, 3rd row is great too if youre 6ft and under. Performance is very good, and is great if you learn to use the "finger- shifter" on the steering wheel. Very fun to drive short or long distance. Fuel economy is not bad considering its weight and very quiet smooth ride. At first sight some say "mini-van." This is truly a cross between an SUV and wagon...havent meet an R-Class owner yet who deems this a "MV." The more you look, the more you like. Interior appointments are that of the ML than say a sedan. Clearly Mercedes built!

• 

  2010 ML-350 - 2010 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Brad - October 18 - 11:00 pm

  Weve had the car a month and absolutely love it. I can only compare this to a German tank. My wife uses it for business and drive between Philadelphia, NY and Washington D.C. every week and I feel this vehicle is one of the safest I have driven (also own a Volvo). Great to load the family and go for long drives. Cant wait to take it to New England this summer.