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:

• 

  How could MB put their name on this SUV? - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By AidansDad - April 3 - 10:00 am

  My wifes ML320 has been in the shop over 6 times now for issues ranging from low engine oil warnings(HBL tells us that its normal for the ML to lose a few quarts of oil ) to electrical issues. e.g. power windows, sensors, strange sounds. Would never buy one again and have suggested to prospective buyers not to make the same mistake we did. Just read that over 60% of MLs have major issues. Thank GOD for the 4- year-50K warranty. Mercedes has probably lost ALL the money they saved by manufacturing the car in ALABAMA instead of Deutschland, on warrantied labor. If you have to have a Mercedes, avoid the M Class.

• 

  ML500 Inspiration Edition - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Laurenxesq - April 3 - 10:00 am

  We traded in our 2001 ML320 in orion blue for the new 2003 ML500 Inspiration Edition. The capri blue color is just beautiful. The handstitch seats with the new DVD-ROM in dash navigation sold us on the spot. After test driving the vehicle, there is NO COMPARISON on the ZOOM between the 320 and 500; 500 definitely beat the 320.

• 

  Could have been a contender - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By idealrides - April 3 - 10:00 am

  I ordered my C32 after having seen only pictures of one from Europe, and after having enjoyed my 1999 C43 so much that I knew this new AMG was going to be the cats balls. I was a little disappointed, the steering is decent for a Benz, but it has a bit too much understeer out the box. Living in Boston, the car is very uncomfortable on imperfect roads, it just doesnt soak up bumps the way a Benz should. Its also had a big handful of small problems, too many for a Benz in fact.

• 

  The Enthusiast C320 Coupe Fan - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Laurenxesq - April 3 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 2001 BMW 325i & 2002 C230 coupe for the new 2003 C320 coupe in 1/2003. I went in HOI in 1/2003 to check out the new C320 coupe. When I saw the xenon headlight & the 17 in wheel, I fell in love! After test driving the vehicle, I bought the car the next day.

• 

  amazing car, completley satisfied - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By prodigy1387 - April 3 - 10:00 am

  my parents bought the car back in march for my for my 16th bday (driving age in fl is 16) and id have to say im completely satisfied with it. yeah im probably a baby compared to most people on this site, but i still think my input couldnt hurt. the car runs great, i love hearing the engine roar from 4000 to 5000 rpms every so often, and i get lots of looks in it haha. i can definitely tell the difference between the 230 and 320 models, the v6 improves performance like no other - its a little rocket! id recommend it to anyone looking for a great car in this price range - i chose it over the audi a4, lexus IS300, and bmw 325i.

• 

  If only... - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By unmet_expectations - April 3 - 10:00 am

  This car is a dream to drive and a nightmare to own. The cars basic mechanical functions have been flawless but its electronics and audio system are so buggy I need to hire an exterminator. Car has been in shop regularly and MB can not yet give me an audio system that works. They dont know how to fix the problems, by their own admission. $72K total out the door and now I know everyone at the service departments birthdays, anniversaries and pets names. Thanks MB.

• 

  Style & Performance - 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By HRK - April 3 - 12:30 am

  I have owned 3 other Mercedes & this is my favorite over my previous CL600. The understated styling & great performance are favorites. Handling is good for a heavier car but not in the Porsche range. Reliability has been good but one electrical problem which the dealer solved. This is my every day driver so I plan to put on a lot of miles & I keep my cars for several years. I purchased the extended warrantee based on my experience with my CL600. I would buy this car again & highly recommend it for performance, style & luxury, only I would get the voice activated controls, I miss the hands free calling on my previous CL600.

• 

  Go diesel! - 2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By AgWagon - April 2 - 8:06 am

  This is a great SUV all-around, but the diesel clinched it for me. It just makes so much sense for trucks and SUVs. Yes, its a hair louder than a gas engine under acceleration (which is excellent, by the way, because of all that torque). But cruising is very quiet, and theres absolutely no smoke or odor, ever. Bottom line: you get the space and utility you need at a thrifty 26 mpg. Plus, you can feel good about being green with the smaller carbon footprint. Really, youve got to try one.

• 

  Good looking but a lemon - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Devan - April 2 - 3:30 am

  When I first got the car I fell in love with the way it handled, looked, and the gawking that I got from other drivers when they saw the big ol star on the hood. However this car is a true Chrysler product, I have owned it about a year and a half now, it has been towed in immobile three times, one time a pulley ceased, next time the electrical, most recent the "accelerator pedal" malfunctioned making the tranny immobile. After I purchased it I had problems with the sun roof not automatically closing as it was supposed to, took them six times in the shop to fix it. Anything to do to this car repair wise (oil, tires, brakes) is way overpriced. Disappointed with the car, thought it was better

• 

  I want to sell the it - 2005 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Yijian - April 2 - 1:23 am

  First time SUV owner. I feel ML is really a truck rather than a car. High performance engine, very responsive handling, strong feedbacks from the road. These also come with noisy engine, rough ride (for driver and passengers), bad gas mileage. Have driven other SUVs, ML is worst in term of comfort, long distance ride will not be fun for passengers. Interior is simple and dull. Window control, cruise control and cup holder seem in strange place, not very intuitive. Lack of standard features such as seat bel sensors, trunk open sensors, trip computers. No luxury features.