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 Mercedes S-320 (1999) - 1999 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By idlexus1 - June 28 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car!! The only problem I have ahd is that I cannot get the windows to consistently roll down with the remote. Theres either a problem in the remote or somewhere in the electrical system. When I take it back for maintenance, I will get that fixed. Otherwise, NO PROBLEM!! Mercedes definitely makes good cars. The price is worth it though.

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  Very Disapointing - 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Arsen Khachatryan - June 28 - 10:00 am

  Our ML had problems from the first day we got it. I am currently trying to get it a lemon status. There has always been a metal on metal sound from the drive shaft, but the dealership cant fix it. The car has cut off several times under normal driving. We have had four instances when the car would not start and needed to be towed. Once my wife was driving and the power steering gave out.Just last week I was stuck in Atlanta 350 miles away from home and the car needed to be towed, because it would not start. The fuel pump and lines needed to be changed. My first and last.

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  Help Me! - 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By AnnS - June 28 - 10:00 am

  Wow, I should have read these reviews before purchasing this car. Started problems after 2 years (when I brought it to Canada and it got daytime running lights). Last 3 months in the shop 5 times, for weeks on end (there now for new engine mounts (2 weeks & counting). Replaced: catalictic converter, engine discs, mass air flow sensor, rate sensor, ignition coil, alternator, etc. Battery went dead, towed in. Embarrassing! UNSAFE, I bought it for the safety & reliability! Has put me & my family in dangerous situations when it stalls!

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  What a Car - 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By louman7 - June 28 - 10:00 am

  I have enjoyed every minute of owning this car. Excellent ride, good handling and great performance. The car sure brings alot of attention, and people tend to think that it costs way more.

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  Mercedes-Benz ML 350 Inspiration - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By SUVdriver - June 28 - 10:00 am

  On my fourth day of ownership, I was on my way to work when the truck began leaking power steering fluid. Soon I found myself unable to steer and was forced to pull over to the side of the road. I had it towed back to the dealership. A recalled part (clamp) had failed and was replaced by the dealership. Three days later I was on my way to a business meeting when, once again, the power steering fluid began leaking and I was unable to steer the vehicle. Yet again I had to call to arrange for towing back to the dealership.

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  If you like the shop - 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Not for me - June 26 - 3:10 pm

  Having always wanted a Mercedes. I finally poneyed up the money and purchased a used 320 with only 37K miles on it. Since then I have been on a first name basis with my service advisor as I am bringing the car back to the shop almost every other month for different problems. Here is what has broken so far. Interior visors, both left and right due to the mirror covers hinge breaking (not covered under extended warranty) Catalytic converter at 70K. Ball Joints at 78K. Windshield washer resevoir (not covered $230). Instrument lighting. Entire radio. Voltage regulator. Most of this would not have been covered if I hadnt purchased the extended warranty. Too much for me. Back to Lexus

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  I LOVE my 2015 GLK 350 4 Matic - 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
  By Sonja Saunders - June 24 - 2:49 am

  I do wish it had heated seats. Although, I competed a lot of research, I didnt realize my truck didnt come with heated seats.

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  Truly the Best - 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Barbara - June 24 - 12:10 am

  My husband has been a Mercedes-Benz afficianado for decades but I have always bought whatever car I thought looked the best, which has led me to Audi and BMW many times over the years. Those vehicles were very enjoyable to own but were hopelessly unreliable. I just purchased a new car following my husbands advice (he has an S550 himself) and have never been this pleased with a car. The S is so refined and luxurious I can hardly fathom how I lived without it all this time. This truly is the best luxury sedan available today. So far it is completely problem free and it has that bank vault solidity to it, I am so enamored with this car.

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  My 2500 mile report - 2007 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By TommyA931 - June 23 - 8:53 pm

  Quality of workmanship seems on par with expected from MBZ, though I did have some initial reservations from 2004 and 2005 owner reviews. This SUV is very comfortable, handles and has the power of a sports car, and averages over 25MPG so far! I opted for the AMG pkg, P02, HIDs, NAV, wood steering wheel and hitch (for bike rack). My wife has an E320CDI, and we love them both! I have owned many Mercedes,Porsches and Jags, but this ML is my favorite. Its really a pleasure to drive. Hey, maybe it doesnt park itself, but a man likes to do some things himself anyway! If Mercedes has a nemises, it would be electronics. The Command System is complicated, and takes some time and study to master.

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  Best Car for the Buck - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Drew - June 23 - 6:50 pm

  This being my first MB I will focus on my reaction to car now that I have owned it for a month. All I can say is wow. What a nicely built, very solid, comfortable and fun to drive car. I test drove, BMW, Audi, Volvo, Infiniti, Acura and some of the lesser import brands but the E350 is bar far the best mix off all. The stunner is when you push your foot down on the gas and the car hauls to 60 in less that 6.5 secs. Even better is when you hit a corner and there is 0 wheel squeal. Return the car to center at a cruising speed of 70 MPH and its sublime. Simply put, this car fits my image. A bit reserved, but push it and the wild side comes out, but returns to civility just as quickly.