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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  First One - 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By JWS - July 12 - 12:56 pm

  My wife and I recently purchased this car after looking at BMW, Lexus and Audi. This is our first Mercedes (having owned the previously listed three). Frankly, I was a little apprehensive given Mercedes quality control issues in the 1990s. After driving the car for over one month now, I am completely satisfied with every aspect of the CLK 350. The car is beautiful, is comfortable to drive and the fit and finish is outstanding. The back seat is surprisingly roomy for a two door. I owned the BMW 328i and I can tell you that this car handles and rides much better (I have the P90 Appearance Pkg. with the Sport Suspension).

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  the 2002 S class - 2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By orlins - July 12 - 10:00 am

  The Mercedes S is expensive. the lexus is a fine car, i have owned 3. the BMW is a different car, simply too much trouble to drive. harsh, not worth my effort. the Mercedes S is not perfect but not far from it. if you have the free bucks. I really love the big Mercedes for what it is, there are faster, better values, larger and smaller cars. However,if you can afford the ticket on the S and want the general best, buy the S. it does everything well you can find better on any one point, but the total is less then you get in the Mercedes S. the sum is unbeatable and in one move you can get all your neighbors to hate you. think of that.

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  Great Car! - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By robs - July 12 - 10:00 am

  Great car for the price!

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  Transmission problem - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Pamela - July 12 - 5:00 am

  I love the car but have had a horrible experience from service at the dealership. Sometimes the car jerks, downshifts and drives very rough when you are slowing down. I had it checked at 1000 miles and again at 11,000 miles. Gas mileage is pretty good but runs on premium. Design is great but does not make up for horrible service.

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  Cant Keep Up With Repairs - 1999 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By RANDI - July 11 - 10:26 pm

  I purchased this vehicle 1 year ago used with 70,000 miles. Since then I had to replace driver side window switch ($482.00), cad converter($2000) oxygen sensors($1000),rear brakes & roters($1000), the interior squeaks, front squeaks, etc.. many more repairs to come and it did not hold its value I might as well just burn it!

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  not as bad as they say - 2005 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By racephotog - July 11 - 2:20 pm

  this is my 2nd ML and if the fact that I bought it after owning a 99 doesnt tell you I think of them nothing will. Use it in my work in the deserts of Nevada and the mountains of Colorasdo. They have been nothing but exactly what one would expect from a Mercedes.

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  Gets better with age - 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Happy ML - July 11 - 9:36 am

  Initial experience during the first 4 years of ownership was mixed, in and out of the dealership for various warranty repairs this was offset by the MB loan cars and MB USA extending my warranty for another 4 years. So far, the truck has been trouble free for the last three years. I recommend using ceramic brake pads, it last twice as long. I will likely keep this truck until for a few more years.

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  Well built - 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By saleem.qazi - July 11 - 12:53 am

  Fun to drive. Front end not very smooth. It feels like its missing rubber bushings in the front. I hope it is an actual Mercedes and not just a name change from Dodge Durango to Mercedes GL450. It will be very disappointing if thats the case. Otherwise, it is a good vehicle. Also, its difficult to lift the middle row to get the 3rd row.

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  MERCEDES M-350 SUV - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By BSK - July 9 - 2:00 am

  WE CERTAINLY LIKED BUYING THE VEHICLE AT RUSNAK. IT WAS A NON-STRESS EXPERIENCE. THEY WERE WILLING TO DEAL BELOW INVOICE. THE VEHICLE NEEDS A LITTLE MORE HEADROOM. I AM 6-4 AND IT IS A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE. IT IS MY WIFES CAR AND SHE LOVES IT. IT HAS A LOT OF SAFETY FEATURES THAT SOLE US ON BUYING IT.

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  On Rails - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Car Lover - July 9 - 2:00 am

  First MB – won’t be my last. Test- drove every comparable car in its class including the G35 SC. Solid ride in a small car, you think you’re driving a tank. Quality better then I expected.