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:

• 

  Eye Catcher - 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By NJC - January 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car just a month ago and WOW! I bought it as a Starmark and purchased an additional 48 month warranty because luxury cars are known for expensive repairs. It is a used car and something is sure to break down, most cars do. Everyone just loves it and I am the envy of all my friends and family! Its an eye catcher with the top down. Just drive around the cornor and the men almost jump right in it. Performance is great! Its sporty and luxury in one car. When the top is down the back window has poor visability but you should be driving with your mirrors anyway. Only problem so far is that everyone wants to dirve it!

• 

  A Fun-to-drive MB? - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By empty99 - January 28 - 10:00 am

  It was refreshing to test drive this little Benz, after owning 2 MBs (190E 2.6/300E) that it can be made both solid, stable and fun at the same time: Quick ratio steering but well damped, great solid body, wonderful peppy 4 cyl engine (this thing gets down and boogey, even to this Boxster owner), nicely done interior, far superior to those of Audi A4/BMW 3/Lexus IS300/Infi G35 etc...and overall driving finesse unmatched by any of the above brands. It IS the car to drive home AFTER experiencing all others, for it calms your nerve and surrounds you in well- engineered safety features and still a heck of fun to drive when you want to.

• 

  Stealth Race Car - 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By mike - January 27 - 2:26 pm

  The 07 SL 55 has subtle but great improvements over prior model years. The paddle shift is much better than the button set up on the prior AMG. The ride with 19 inch rims is very smooth for a performance car. Best of all it is somewhat stealth, at least here in So Cal as there are so many SLs running around. My only disappointment is that the navi is still somewhat behind that of Acura and the sound system is good but not great. In a $130 K car you would think the sound system would be as good as the exhaust "sound". All in all this is a dream car and feel lucky to own one. Prior car was an 02 E55 and still love it but not a much as this SL 55 Duh!!

• 

  Luxury at its best! - 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By atldane - January 26 - 6:38 pm

  We bought this CPO E350 for my partner 2 years ago and it has been amazing. Pure luxury! We have a Land Rover, a BMW, and this E350. All different, but the Mercedes is nothing but quality and luxury at its finest. We drive quite a bit, and this car is the most comfortable and smoothest. About to by the new style E class because this one has been a great experience. Our dealer is awesome and the car still seems brand new. This E class has 60k miles on it now, but feels like we just drove it off the showroom floor.

• 

  great mbz - 2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By benzo driver - January 26 - 10:00 am

  This is truly a great motor car, surprising gas milage for the performance. Great overall looks inside and out.Should get extended warrenty therefore experience stays positive when repairs occur.

• 

  Finally the real M arrives - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By emster320 - January 26 - 10:00 am

  For me, people who buy the M-Class are well-informed, practical and have an appreciation of the delicate balance between luxury and utility.I was truly impressed with the X5 but it didnt have the Ms cargo room/utility.Drove the MDX-wide track, excellent engine- but it lost points in the luxury department (plus 3rd row seating is actually smaller compared to the M). Sequoia? Quite impractical for my needs. Consider a vehicle that will inflict the least damage to the other vehicle-lower bumper and crumple zones. Dont be persuaded by emotional reviews. Do your own research and come to a conclusion. Have a safe trip and tread lightly!

• 

  Outstanding car - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By James Callaway - January 26 - 10:00 am

  Although only week and 1/2 old, I love this car - outstanding in all areas!

• 

  A Classic great road car - 2014 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Charles Ebeling - January 25 - 4:30 am

  Solid, beautiful, luxurious, quiet, efficient. Little hard to get in and out of, as it sits high, even with running board. Love the ride and handling.

• 

  Awesome change from a Minivan - 2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By Mom of three - January 25 - 2:13 am

  Great lines, a real eye turner on the road, school parking and grocery store. Awesome handling, fun to drive.

• 

  More fun than the day I got my license. - 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Doug Cruce - January 23 - 10:00 am

  Its the most exciting car I have ever driven. People frequently roll down their window at stop lights to ask me questions about the car. Im always more interested in taking it out if the weather is good enough to put down the top. I havent had this much driving fun since the week I first received my drivers license (and that was 41 years ago).