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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  The Utility under the SUV designation some missing. - 2011 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By bobby8bsgf41 - October 16 - 7:06 am

  I could have gotten the 2012 model when it came available but didnt because its persona was weak looking and no towing, MHO, while the 2011 ML350 have a masculine stance. I was not losing much because mine have the light package (the LED) and HID, Premium 2 Pkg, leather, Towing Pkg, etc. Being the end of the model run, most if not all kinks may have been fixed, I hope. Like most new cars/truck its fun to drive.

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  My 2nd Awesome MBZ - 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By John Bruce Maitland - October 15 - 10:00 am

  Perfect driving experience. Handles like a charm and the pickup is like a "jet car". Love everything about the look, feel and handling. Everything works. Top quality fit and finish

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  Luxury Family Sedan - 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Jaeger - October 15 - 10:00 am

  This car replaces my Jag XJR, which offered a back seat so small that my 5 year old complained about leg room. I no longer have to take the wifes minivan when going on a weekend family outing.

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  awesome - 2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Mike Kirkpatrick - October 15 - 10:00 am

  best car Ive every owned

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  C-Coupe - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By C-Couper - October 15 - 10:00 am

  Excellent vehicle--great value for a MB! Its fun to drive, smooth riding, and fuel efficient. The service plan is top-notch--everything from oil changes, wiper blades, tire rotations/balances, belts, car washes, etc is included. I would definitely recommend the C230 Kompressor to anyone who wants to get into a Benz for ~30K...

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  The Long Road to Happiness! - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By sgs1 - October 15 - 10:00 am

  I looked at all the luxury sedans and the Mercedes was the most impressive. Having owned a Cadillac Seville, and Jaguar XJ8 sedan, I can honestly say the E500 far surpasses them in comfort and performance. My wife currently drives a 2002 Jaguar XK8 convertible and the E500 accelerates faster and smoother. Shhhh, dont tell her, or shell be stealing my keys!

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  Former S Class owner - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By Bob V - October 15 - 5:50 am

  I loved the S 430 I owned prior to trading for the CLS 500. I seldom had rear seat passengers, and wanted the comfort and performance of the S class. The CLS fit the bill perfectly. Great performance and handling, and a styling "tour de force." Highly recommend the car, but refrain if you have frequent need of rear seats for passengers. Space and comfort is OK, but entry and exit is challenging. Overall I give the car a 8 out of 10.

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  Beauty and the Beast - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By 20/20 - October 14 - 2:06 pm

  Love the looks of the vehicle and the attention it gets but not so keen on the ride. Dont know if I would have made the purchase had I known the transmission and ride would be so "less than desirable".

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  I love my car - 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By WALTER - October 14 - 5:36 am

  This car is excellent. It is peppy and tight, handles and corners beautifully. The top retracts rapidly and is the quietest convertable I have ever had. The finish is fine and I have no second thoughts at having leased it.

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  Shame on you Mercedes - 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By alcrawjr - October 13 - 4:22 am

  2007 E350, this is my second Mercedes and my last!! Transmission went into limp mode at 71k miles. Called MB headquarters and was told that there had not been enough reports of this issue for MB to recall. Hard to believe because its being reported all over the net. The local MB certified mechanic says he cant get the repair part because MB has a lock on them. I see 1980 models driving all over, but 2006-2014 are not even making it to 70k. I was told that the speed sensor fails around 52k miles. Where is the QUALITY ??? The car is DOA in the driveway while I drive my Jaguar... Go figure