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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  2002 C240 - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By asecks - September 30 - 2:00 am

  This car is fun to drive when you want to be sporty but can be a luxury car at the same time. Roomy enough to fit my entire family but small enough to feel sporty.

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  MB just builds em better - 2013 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By jeffreid - September 29 - 11:21 pm

  My wife and I traded a 2008 E350 for a 2011 RX450h when our first child came along for the ease of getting a carseat and a stroller in and out. I had assumed that the Lexus was going to have the same solid feel as a Mercedes-Benz due to its very high regard within the auto industry. While the Lexus is a fine auto, there is no substitute (in this price range) for the solid build quality and the road holding ability of a Mercedes. Before I got out of the dealers lot, I could feel the difference with the ML. This vehicle just feels so much more substantial than the Lexus in every way. When paying $50k+, I want to feel the vehicle is built like a tank, with the ML thats what you get

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  Great Sports Convertible - 1996 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Hesam - September 29 - 8:06 pm

  This is my 8th Mercedes, including 3 turbo-diesels, and 4 gas-sedans. The build quality is excellent. The ride is somewhat firm but it sticks to the ground and handles turns easily. It quietly reaches 100+mph and theres no wind-noise. The top and rollbar operates with 1 button. The auto-pullup windows are kind of awkward. The break- pedal travels toofar before stopping making easy stops difficult until you get used to the car. It can use a backseat and a larger trunk. The gas mileage is around 16 in city and 22 on freeway, as high as 26 on straight freeway. Car is a bit too heavy at 4170 pounds which affects its acceleration. 6.3Sec 0-60 is a bit slow for a 315HP $90,000car. Parts overpriced

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  Very Nice car - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By jasonvc - September 28 - 12:40 pm

  For an entry level Mercedes this car has a lot of features and is very nice to drive. Handling is tight, engine is quick and the turning radius is awesome.

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  Youll never want to get out of this car - 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By MBbrat - September 28 - 10:00 am

  There is a reason that Mercedes-Benz has a reputation for being one of the most luxurious and prestigious cars built today. Even the C-class boasts so many features, you wont believe its the lowest class they manufacture. I never mind being stuck in traffic anymore when Im in my C240. It just becomes a part of you-- an extension of your own body! The performance is outstanding, and you wont feel safer in any other car.

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  ML 320 overall - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Jonnyboy - September 25 - 2:00 am

  I am extremely satisfied with the Vehicle overall. I am confident the reputation of a German Engine / Transmission will prevail. Provides the Chrysler comforts. No compaints none so ever I have on comforts. Their safety features are unmatched. Miles / Gallon are on par with other SUVs. Can be better. Did not provide a MP3 Playback in the Extremely good audio system. Navigation technology was CD based in 2002, but are now DVD based and compatible with the 2002 MLs. I find the 3rd row seat very useful. Small but good for kids.

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  great suv for a great price - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By shariar - September 20 - 10:00 am

  This is one great suv. It is very comortable and beautiful inside and out. I opted for the inspiration edition which gives you alot of options for a great value. I highly recommend the car to people who want a comfortable car but still want to arrive to the local country club with style.

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  My car - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By chesapeakegirl77 - September 18 - 10:06 pm

  I love it. The car handles like a first class car, it has pick up, and it looks good. Its a Mercedes Benz, what more do you need to say? When youre driving the car it will perform as you ask it to. It doesnt drive you. Theres even nice trunk room and a spare that includes an alloy rim to match the others, not some metal piece of junk. Good gas mileage and comfortable seats for long drives that dont make you ache.

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  Pure Luxury - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Mr. Yu - September 17 - 9:26 am

  This car is awesome! The powerful V8 is silky smooth with responsive handling making this car an absolute joy to drive. The interior feels like it was well made and solid with sexy styling. When you slide into the car you immediately get the feeling of "luxury". In addition, its packed with plenty of convenience features, too many to list. Definitely the best sedan Ive ever owned!

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  Sport Option = Big Go Kart - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By rcdaddy1 - September 15 - 1:10 am

  This car is very fun to drive and the styling is a home run. Traded in 03 Lexus LS 430. So the Benz is a lot more responsive in the handling department but the road noise is a lot louder. Test drove the BMW 335 wow, that motor was awesome but with the ipod interface, the hard drive, the superior cup holders, and with the price differance we gave the nod to the Benz. This car handles like a go kart. I have a 05 corvette and Im very impressed with how the benz hugs the road. I like the car. My wife loves the car.