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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  SMALL PROBLEMS ANNOY YOU - 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By ML320annoying - December 10 - 2:00 am

  I was surprised with the fact that I had to go back to my dealer several times a year starting from 2nd yr for small problems, such as window switch, door handle, equipment panel lights, brake light bulbs. It is really annoying and disappointing. Horsepower does not seem to be enough. Overall I like the car, its ext design, its handling as a SUV, and its Cargo space. Maybe ML 430 is better.

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  Satisfaction - 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Pastis - December 5 - 2:00 am

  Hard ride. Defrost system clumsy to operate. Have to be constantly careful steering because it is very sensitive. Like being high. No place to put purse in front when there is someone in passenger seat. Great storage at waste high trunk. Dont like having to pay for highest octane gasoline. Good ride on interstates. Feel every bump on local streets.

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  Best of 16 Vehicle Ive owned. - 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By GinJersey - November 29 - 10:00 am

  Of the 16 vehicles (cars, vans, SUVs) Ive owned, this has the best value and utility. I have over 48,000 miles, and although there have been some minor problems with the rear seat, the over- all performance and use-ability of this vehicle is great. There is lots of room, great visibility, enough power to pass trucks and great braking. I have never driven a vehicle with more "sure- footedness". I am never fearfull in the rain or snow. The comfort level is very good, and I get 20 MPG over-all (22 highway).

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  A Lemon - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By Faye Powell - November 28 - 3:26 pm

  I liked driving the R350. It turns on a dime. I am shaken with apprehension because of the electrical problems that I have experienced with this car. I have had the car in my possession since January. I have never taken the car out of town because I feel it will break down. The last breakdown was in the evening when my daughter was driving the car on a busy road in town. The power went out. She lost the steering and it was a miracle that she did not have a very bad accident. This is the second major electrical breakdown. The car was recalled for inspection soon after I took ownership of the the lease. There have been other electrical problems.

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  GL450 Electronics problems continue!!!! - 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By fwg - November 27 - 2:49 pm

  I have experienced seemingly unending electronic failure issues with only 5,000 miles on vehicle: Failure to go into sleep mode causing dead battery;towed to dealer 200 mi. away, MB refused to return to my location; When vehicle is locked, one door, although locked, causes alarm and will open if handle is touched, even if EasyGo key is not present; Adaptive High Beam headlight failure; Rear tailgate opens with driver door occasionally; When spraying the car with water, while washing, doors lock and unlock continually if you have key in pocket; circuit board replaced, issue continues- another appt. made Where is the quality control?

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  I like this baby Benz! - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By W203V6 - November 26 - 5:50 pm

  I got the 2006 C230 Sport Sedan with 6 speed manual, The shifter is kind of short and hard. Its like you have a aftermarket short shifter! I love it ! The new 2.5 V6 is NOT fast than the I4 w/supercharger. But I feel more power on the high end. The sports tuned suspension may be too hard for some people, but its a lot of better than my EVO 8! The ride is smooth on freeway. If the power is not something you looking for. The C230 sport sedean is very nice in and out! Just not as fast as Volvo S40 T5 or BMW 330i!

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  Id buy another - 1999 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By don831 - November 24 - 11:10 pm

  I love this truck. I have put 100,000 miles on over the last 5 years with minimal maintenance. Typically get 21-23 mpg hwy/ 15-16 in town. Not bad for a 6,000lb truck. Down side is brakes! Mercedes recommends changing pads and rotors, very pricey and they wear very fast. I would buy another in a heartbeat, but this one may not wear out.

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  One sweet ride - 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By FN SIK - November 24 - 7:53 pm

  This car is absolutely fantastic! Everything about the car exudes quailty and hand built craftsmanship. The touch of the control buttons, the steering, the road grip (with not a hint of body roll at any speed Ive traveled so far) The AMG leather is better than in the 600 and the seat comfort is unmatched with almost limitless adjustments. opperating the many features is easy and nearly intuitive through the command control or one of the redundant feature buttons. I havnt been able to pull the 4.5 sec.0-60 times reported, only able to get it to 6.3 (ironic) but I am not a professional driver and havent managed to time my shifts correctly yet. Either way the car is a blast to drive.

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  Not A Happy Camper - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By terry5940 - November 24 - 10:00 am

  Back three times for a vibration Between 30 & 60 MPH, & dealer cant correct problem, BAS-ESP warning came on twice. First it was the computer second time it was dirty contacts. Phone had to be replaced approx. 3 months after my car was delivered.

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  You dont always get what you pay for - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By john thompson - November 24 - 10:00 am

  I have enjoyed my car, but have some concerns: (1) It should have more horsepower for the price (2) Its been in the shop 3 times before the first service because the computer has malfunctioned (3) the dealers service has been very dissapointing (4) rear leg room inadequate