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:

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  my SL500 - 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Bob W. - August 4 - 10:00 am

  Whats not to love about this rocket luxury car!

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  Perfect Two-Seater - 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By desfourth - August 4 - 10:00 am

  I ordered this car after 9/11 and waited un til I did not have to pay a premium (actually received the car in 10/02). A squeek took a few visits to fix, but M-B did "everything" to take care of it. It is a dream to drive -- hard to believe it is so firm, even with the top down. Absolutely no cowl shake. A real looker.

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  CLK320 - 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Howard265 - August 3 - 10:56 pm

  Wonderful car, very smooth, quite fast. I upgraded to 17" AMG wheels, same as a CLK430 and this improved the appearance and the handling. The headliner had to be replaced to correct moonroof noise problems.

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  Step above the rest - 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By JOHN S. - August 3 - 9:53 pm

  This coupe will turn you into a racecar driver.IT has the same engine as the S class with a fraction of the price.This car really has it all, from its 8 cyinder engine to its body sculpted desing that has AMG written all over it. When night arrives is when the fun begins. Its very spacious cabon has all the bells and whistels to make your drive extremely fun.Whether you are looking for nav, keyless go, heated seats this car has it all. I will have to agree with Mercedes Benz quote. In a perfect world everyone would own one. Moreover, not everyone is going to agree with me, but that is the people who does not own one. As having a great affinity for cars especially coupes this one has it all

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  Engineers with nothing better to do. - 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Doc - August 3 - 3:13 am

  I have driven many cars in my 72 years This is the least user friendly car I have ever owned. MB has too many engineers who are really playing games with car functions. They have made life complicated for no benefit. Dealing with some of the menus and subs is distracting and takes the drivers eyes away from the road. I cant advise anybody to buy this car and would actively discourage anybody from doing so. MB is not alone Simplicity is what is needed! It seems that this is the way many manufactures are going and it is a mistake One should not have to be an engineer or a computer scientist to understand the car. The operating handbook is poorly laid out. Why should the operation of lights be on 8 pages?

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  Great buy as a CPO - great value for a great car! - 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By johnlit - August 1 - 8:18 pm

  Just got my 3rd 2014 E350 - all CPO - love them all!

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  Got to love the new style and Beauty - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By cigarlvr - August 1 - 2:20 pm

  I just got this car a few days ago but I have to say it is one heck of a automobile. Beautiful, very fast just be ready for lots of questions about it every place you go. I dont care if they are 15 or 70 they are all in blown away with the style it has to offer.

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  Timeless beauty - 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By weswayland - August 1 - 8:16 am

  This vehicle has a timeless appearance and a comfort and quality level that I did not find in almost any other vehicle tested. Performance of many less comfortable vehicles in a size and shape that does not offend anyone, a highly refined vehicle.

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  Absolute Best Car Ive Ever Driven - 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By socalh2oskier - July 31 - 1:26 pm

  I traded a 2007 Jag XK for the SL. The Jag is beautiful, the SL is not only gorgeous, it is awe-inspiring when driving. It is more responsive, has a better ride, more power, and better seats--and--it has a hard top that looks great when up. Ive owned Lexus, Range Rover, NSX, Corvette, and several Jags and several BMWs--the SL 550 is head and shoulders above them all--it is absolutely the most fun of any car Ive ever driven--and that includes the new Aston Vantage V8. The SL is nimble,corners flat, is fast, and somehow still maintains a very comfortable ride. I highly recommend it. The only drawbacks are the price and the mediocre gas mileage.

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  Great car, fun to drive! - 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By First time MB owner - July 31 - 3:56 am

  Bought the E350 coupe black on black and love it! Only had it two weeks so far an no major gripes or issues. I was nervous hearing and reading about build quality issues and while only having the car two weeks the jury is still out but no problems whatsoever thus far. Did a great deal of research prior to purchase and have no regrets other than trying to keep a black car clean and shiney. If you are interested in handling and performance look elsewhere. This is a cruiser. My other car is a late model Corvette and while the Benz is still in the break in period, I still downshifted and took a hairpin turn which squeeled the tires which would never happen on the Corvette.