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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  It is a rocket - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Dmessersmith - January 5 - 2:00 am

  Having owned a variety of BMWs, MBs, and Lexuss, I can say that the ML 55 is simply for those that want an SUV that is all beast when you hit the gas. It lacks some of the basic conveniences and creature comforts that are found in lesser vehicles, but when you hit the gas, take a hard corner, and need it to respond, it there for you. No sissies need apply.

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  Fun to drive - 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By E, B. Mitchell - December 28 - 6:30 am

  I love my C280. It handles like a dream, small turning radius, lots of power, not too big, not too small. Have had some electrical problems ( replaced starter, alternator, fuel guage after 50K mi). I will probably buy another small MBZ or the new BMW 330I

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  Perfect Until it Snows - 2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Guest - December 26 - 4:56 pm

  This car is fast, smooth, comfortable and reliable...until it snows. Then it becomes your coffin. There is no traction and it slides from the moment you put your foot on the gas. I love my car, but if it snows even an inch it becomes dangerous. Do not buy this ca if it snows where you live. Otherwise, its a great car.

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  Owned the C400 for a year now - 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Matt - December 23 - 5:46 am

  Almost at 15,000 miles and have owned the C400 for a year. From the beginning, I was hearing a strange small noise when changing into drive, reverse, and park but chalked it up as how it was built. Well 14,000 miles later, turns out my entire transmission and torque converter went out and never had proper bolts. Had it towed into the dealership and they ordered the parts from Germany. My SA told me the transmission was around $15,000.. hearing that Ill probably buy the extended warranty come 50k. Wasnt that mad, happy it was caught while under warranty. I was put into a 2016 C300 loaner for two weeks. What a POS that was. Ive had C300 loaners several times over the last 8 years but after having a loaded bi-turbo C400, I would never consider owning anything less. So if you are deciding between C300 or C400/C450, I highly recommend paying the extra. Ever since a new transmission, car seems smoother than ever and would recommend to buy. Of course the navigation is STILL JUNK as Mercedes has been forever so I dont know what to tell you there besides everyone uses their smart phone anyway. I just paid for the navigation and multi media package for the larger screen w/ backup camera. But where the hell is Apple CarPlay? I see a YouTube video of a Benz sales man driving a 2015 C400 showing off Apple CarPlay yet it is not available still. Overall, good car so far despite a break down and tow. Good luck

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  piece of crap - 2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By donnaw3 - December 18 - 1:30 am

  tank god I bought the extended warranty otherwise I would be broke for sure. intake manifold 3500.00. then the turbo, transfer case, intake censor, particulant filter etc, 10k, fuel system, tires1200.00 every two years. 600.00+ for any routine service, new battery over 500.00, triple AAA wont touch a Mercedes, I bought this vehicle thinking it would e the very best ever. its apiece of junk. the Mercedes emblem on the rims wore off 3 years ago- piece of junk. I am shocked at a Mercedes vehicle. never again in my life and I m 50.

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  Safe and fun - great car - 2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By jwgowdy - December 18 - 12:06 am

  We Starmarked this car when we bought it just to be safe, but havent had to use it more than once (cracked intake hose - replaced with no problems). Dealer has been outstanding. This car is very comfy and very safe - Im very pleased my wife and child spend time here. Factory Continentals stink, but thats a minor issue. Overall, were pleased. This is our second MB, and Ill continue to drive them as long as they keep the faith.

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  Well built tank - 2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By chuck shick - December 16 - 11:50 pm

  This is my third benz but first of the 21st century. I stayed away after hearing about issues after the DM/Chrysler merge, but was convinced by my mechanic that the w210 chassis are well constructed and reliable vehicles. While I still own my classic MBs, this is a fine vehicle with modern amenities like powerful A/C, ventilated seats, side curtain airbags. Powerful V6, 4matic, stability and traction control make this an all weather warrior. Car is new to me so I will report back later on reliability.

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  What a Lemon - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Lemon Car - December 14 - 2:20 am

  Bought it 6/29. At 1000 miles, notification of airbag malfunction. Mercedes tells me not to drive it for safety. 600 miles after it got fixed, another notification of airbag malfunction. Mercedes has too many electrical problems. Never had problems with any of my Japan made cars (Lexus, Infiniti).

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  Amazing to drive & horrific to own - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Richard Hill - December 11 - 7:23 am

  I have owned over twenty Mercedes and this has been the most exciting to drive and yet the worst for reliability. The quality of the cabin components are cheap and tacky and a disgrace to the badge and the electronics are a complete nightmare. I cannot trust any of the onboard warning systems and my repair bills to try and get them sorted is like paying off the national debt. The depreciation on this vehicle has been alarming and I am so disappointed that this will probably be the last Mercedes Benz I will purchase.

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  Its all about the hoursepower - 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Walter - December 11 - 4:50 am

  This is the most fun car Ive ever driven. When I went to trade in my 911 Porsche for a more practical car, I thought I would have to say good-bye to speed. This car effortlessly leaves everyone else in my dust. My office is next to an exotic car dealership. I love the looks of people who just plunked down over $100K, and didnt get nearly the car I did. This car never breaks a sweat as you go from a stop to highway speeds in a blink of an eye.