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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  Best car I have ever owned - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By anna - September 30 - 1:30 pm

  This is the best car that I have ever owned! The ride is smooth. The weight of the vehicle makes me feel safe. I have had the vehicle for 18 months and it has been in the repair shop one time for an oil change. The overall size of the vehicle makes it easy to manuever in traffic. The sound system in the vehicle is awsome. I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone.

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  Diesel for me - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Jon - September 29 - 8:46 am

  Pricey, but very reliable, quick, and economical. On a road trip I averaged 35.0 mpg for a big heavy solid car. Just wish Benz, would put the diesel in a sport utility for sale in US.

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  Diesels are Great - 2007 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By JRW - September 29 - 4:03 am

  I have owned this CDI for 4 months and love it. It is a great engine... plenty of smooth, quite power. I routinely get 23 MPG around town and up to 28 on the highway. The transmission shifts a little "truck like", but does a great job of slowing the vehicle without brakes. The cruise control is excellent, hardly ever downshifting. The interior is very nice. My biggest complaint is the finicky Bluetooth adapter that does not work with many cell phones. Diesel service costs will be higher.

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  Marks - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By mambrose - September 28 - 8:46 pm

  I think the car is satisfying overall. It is a well rounded machine, although those expecting a sports car may be a bit dissapointed. I had a 911 cab prior so that may not be a fair statement. It is smooth, quiet and powerful, although I understand they are putting the new v8 found in the 2007 S class thoughout the line to replace the current 5.0 ltr motor. That will be a real lift in power. (some 80 or so horses.) Kind of wish I would have waited for the 2007. I put 18 inch BBS wheels on mine and it handles better w/o much loss in ride. They look better too. I may put on cross drilled rotors(for looks and performance)w/perf. pads(to lessen dust), and maybe sway bars to help prevent leaning.

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  Great fun little toy, enjoy - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By GI Tiger - September 27 - 5:30 am

  It was a bumpy ride at first. I bought a dealer/loaner C230k from the dealership. That said, Ive only had one problem with it, a blown oil line which leaked all over my garage. The maintenance is kind of costly, but it is the best auto Ive ever driven. Ive driven a lot cars around the world (Military). If you want a fun car this is it. Fast on the draw and will suprise you how quick it is. Sometimes it does sputters when moving at slow speeds on the highwqy trying to dodge in and out of traffic.

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  LOVE IT - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By ReneeGlenn - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Its the nicest car I have ever owned

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  A very disappointing car - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Frustrated Owner - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car on Mercedes reputation of quality. It turns out that it is the worst car I have ever owned. It has been in the shop 3 times and I have only owned the car 3 months! Even after all that time in the shop the car is still not fixed. The electrical systems on these cars is a disaster. DO YOUR RESEARCH before buying this car. Check the online forums dedicated to the E class cars and see what real owners are saying about their cars and how Mercedes is treating their customers - it is not a pretty picture!

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  WOW - 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By cclear - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Unbelievable power, hard or soft ride. I had a 2003 SL500, and an 2000 SL600 what a difference. You cant get enough road with this car...it just goes from one car to another. Design perfect, all options perfect. I LOVE THIS CAR

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  ML350 - 2007 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By paul - September 26 - 7:43 pm

  This SUV is actually fun to drive. Plenty of pep for a 6 cylinder. The car is smooth as silk. My wife loves the rear view camera. I love the overall comfort.

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  Poor driving feel - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By jimwill - September 25 - 10:30 am

  This is a handsome car but the interior trim is not well thought out. The door sills are a light colored fabric that is impossible to keep clean. They should have trimmed with leather or plastic that could be wiped off. The handling on an uneven road or with a small crosswind is poor. One must continually adjust the steering wheel to keep it on the road. Doesnt compare to my 1992 LS400. It feels like a small light sedan. The DVD furnished with the navigation system is out of date and incomplete. I asked it for the nearest hospital and it directed me to one 77 miles away when there were 3 good ones less than 30 miles away, one within a mile.