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:

• 

  Made on a Friday afternoon! - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Bill Gilmore - November 16 - 10:00 am

  When purchased new, the E320 had too many adjustments and repairs that were needed. Replaced glove box,ash tray,drink holder,front seat bolts,dead battery, computer mod, str. wheel tilt switch, and loud/rough Goodyear tires from MB. This is not normal for MB to have this many problems. NOW, re-sale trade-in/value does not come up to what is owed on the MB Credit Corp. 4 year note. TIme to trade.

• 

  Hot Car but not a BMW - 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By J Walsh - November 15 - 1:53 pm

  I tried this powerhouse after driving BMWs for 10 years. More power than you will ever need (3 sets of tires in 18 months) but still an MB and not a BMW in drivability. Total brake failure (fluid drained out) in the first two weeks didnt help with impression but it was fine after that...no maintenance issues. Front fender is ripe for destruction on high parking bumpers. Traded recently for a winter car (S550 with 4Matic) but will go back to an S65 or BMW 7 series soon....

• 

  Supremely Practical--with compromises - 2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By NYC Driver Fam of 5 - November 14 - 9:36 pm

  Bought this car after an exhaustive research process into every car with 3 row. Did not want giant SUV (Suburban, Esalade) and biggest new Lexus did not have comfy back row. R-Class is extremely comfy in all rows. Middle row even shifts forward allowing additional room in the rear, if desired. Car runs very smoothly as one would expect from a MB. Middle row appears to have as much leg room as an S-Class and more head room. We opted for the center seat, which is good for child, but not full width. Cargo space with all seats in place is okay, but not great. Rear seats manually fold flat like a minivans. MB did away with the 5.0 litre engine. 3.5 is sluggish and a disappointment.

• 

  So Disappointed - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By C Kelly - November 14 - 12:16 pm

  I fell in love with this car the minute I walked into the Mercedes showroom. I was planning on purchasing a BMW 6 series, but was persuaded by the sheer breathtaking beauty of the CLS. Worst decision of my life. The wheels have had to be repaired 6 times due to "potholes" per Mercedes. The problem is in the suspension, which cannot even handle a small bump in the road. I have had to replace the tires at 7000 miles due to "potholes" per Mercedes. Purchasing this car is like dating the prom queen, which is exhilirating in the beginning, but soon you realize she will only drain your pocketbook. Do not buy this car.

• 

  Not a SL - 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Charles McBride - November 9 - 2:00 am

  Problem with phone and Elec.

• 

  Love it!!! - 2004 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Aronky - November 5 - 5:56 am

  Love this car...Im 16 and this is my second Benz after wrecking the first one. It has tons of room, very nice leather that NEVER wears. Sound system was great. A few problems with ball bearings and engine mounts, but inexpensive to fix and caused because the previous owner was apparently abusive. Great acceleration and handles great. So good off-road, can go everywhere all my friends with lifted trucks can. Feels really solid and was built with great quality. I would recommend this car to anyone who has kids or needs room for stuff but still wants performance and comfort.

• 

  My Problems with MB of N.A. - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By DNK - November 2 - 12:00 am

  Better than expected ride and handling. Great for road trips. MPG are better than advertised. But lacks nice wheels/rims. I did an upgrade, makes all the difference in making the vehicle look much sportier.

• 

  Slick and quick - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By renegade - October 30 - 10:00 am

  The E500 is an exceptional automobile in that the ride is well controlled and yet it is not harsh by any means. It has ample power and the adaptive transmission is silky smooth. The style is not in your face so to speak, yet it is very tastefully executed.

• 

  Good Bad Ugly - 2001 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By ca_oh10 - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Good. Very powerful on highways. Excellent highway performance. Gets you there safely. Bad. Original tires were poor. AM Radio didnt work for 18 months. Ugly. Paint seems to chip easily. Style has gotten dated quickly in my opinion.

• 

  Best Looking Wagon - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By NC Chris - October 23 - 2:40 am

  Purchased used for $20K with 22K miles. Has Command system with Nav & Cell phone. Probably best looking wagon on the road. Firm but compliant ride. Handles well and stops on a dime. Averaging about 20 mpg in mixed driving. No squeaks or rattles. Very good build quality although some interior trim pieces could have been of better material. Command system a bit complex but not bad after you become familiar with it. Steering is a bit heavy a slow speeds.