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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  Good ML - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By happy - October 27 - 9:40 pm

  I bought this SUV as a second hand from the MB dealer in Vancouver Canada. When got car it had 10000 km ,the car works pretty good till now i drove about 30000 km in 8 months , it never let me down .

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  Rides Like A Dream - 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By Florida girl - October 26 - 3:03 pm

  Just purchased a new GL450 , and I am very pleased. The truck drives like a luxury sedan. The interior is very roomy and extremely comfortable. I have three children and they are all very tall and the leg room is quite ample. There are absolutely no blind spots and driving this truck really is a pleasure. It is built like a tank and the solid construction really makes me feel safe. The acceleration is fantastic. No problem passing or entering highways. I have driven several different luxury trucks and this is really my favorite. Its very stylish without being too flashy, and It truly does seat seven adults fairly comfortablly.

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  My Third G-Wagon - 2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
  By Justine - October 26 - 1:44 am

  I took delivery of my G65 AMG on July 24, 2016. This is my third G-Wagon over the course of seven years. I continue to come back to this vehicle because there simply is nothing like it, this vehicle has zero competition. For that reason, I will tell you exactly what I like and dislike about my G65. The first thing that I like would have to be its styling. I have a wrapped matte black G65 and with the LED Daytime Running lamps, I just cant get enough. The doors sound like you are shutting a tank, its quite the experience. The interior is absolutely resembling a true luxury Mercedes-Benz. I personally have the Piano Black trim and it looks stunning on the steering wheel, the doors, and across the dash. My Designo seats are amazingly comfortable and I would have no problem driving for hours on end. The space is immense, and with two kids in middle school, thats a must. Overall, I would recommend any trim level of the G-Wagon, you are getting a great value.

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  Great Tourer - 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By racerjae - October 24 - 6:53 am

  I have owned the car for 2 months and everything has been up to expectations. Drove it from NJ to FL and back, and it was quite comfortable. Very little wind/road noise for a sporty car. The new 7- speed auto is ultra smooth and quick. The new BMW 335 may have better handling/acceleration, but the CLK looks better and is more luxurious inside and out.

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  OUTSTANDING IMPROVEMENT - 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By abacomike - October 22 - 1:20 am

  Just got my new 2012 E350 Sport Sedan after trading in my 2011. The new engine is remarkably responsive, quick, and nimble. The increase in horsepower from 268 to 302 was the best thing Mercedes could have done to improve the E350. Fuel economy is unbelievable - Im getting 33 mpg at 65 mph in cruise control. Got the Premium 2 pkg. with the xenon lights, Keyless Go, etc., and these added options make the car the best new vehicle I have ever owned. The addition of 2 new audio speakers (from 12 to 14) on the Harman Karmin audio systems logic 7 surround sound system makes the car a moving sound stage. Addition of weather to the Sirius traffic and radio option is magnificent.

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  MY DREAM CAR - 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By TROOPER82 - October 21 - 10:00 am

  FUN TO DRIVE, RELIABLE, HANDLES WELL, GREAT LOOKS, EVERY CONVENIENCE-MUCH BETTER THAN PREVIOUS SL SERIES-SAFE, POWERFUL-FRANKLY, JUST A DREAM!

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  Mercedes Benz E320 CDI - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By augthedog - October 21 - 10:00 am

  We bought the new E320 CDI after deciding buying a new car every year was a luxury we could no longer afford. We bought a used 1976 240D in 1999 and had the car for 12 years. It was the most dependable car we ever owned and sold her in 1991 for the down payment for our first house. We always vowed that someday, somehow we would get another Mercedes Diesel and are we glad we waited. This car is amazing truly amazing. Fast, Firm, Quiet, and undeniably a Mercedes. This E320CDI is really a sweet piece of machinery. I have no doubt they sell the 3000 alotment for the US market. I want another one.

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  This is the car to buy! - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Art/ La Quinta, CA - October 21 - 10:00 am

  I have owned BMWs before and was just ready to buy another when a friend suggested I check out the C230 Compressor.. Boy am I sure glad I did! Beautiful styling, luxury interior, smooth ride and with the turbo compressor engine, I have more horsepower than a BMW325- but with 33mpgs on the highway and 25 mpgs in the city! The best of all worlds!

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  The Best Car I Ever Bought - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By calvin lahham - October 21 - 9:00 am

  No BMW will compare to this machine. Great performance, good looks, and not many people drive it. So its very special.

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  E55 AMG the best perfomance sedan - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Boli27 - October 21 - 7:20 am

  I have owned BMW M5, Porsche 911 Turbo and I thought they were great. I love the way my new E55 drives, I love how fast it is and how well it handles. I think the 911 Turbo I had was one of the best handling car, but this E55 its up there and it has room for 5. . It is a shame when you have some one pull up to you in a new Corvette and you leave them behind.