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:

• 

  Electrical Trouble never goes away - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Annabell - January 3 - 10:00 am

  Have put 18,000 miles on this car. It has been in the shop over 14 times in the first 6 months. Everything from the headrest motor to the fuel pump to the crankshaft has been replaced. Car is very slow on the start. Dont think of jumping out into traffic!

• 

  my german dodge - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By murrrcds - January 3 - 10:00 am

  This pieceof crap has been in for service 17 times in 25 months. A hoot to drive but the build quality and component parts are just rock bottom. The tuetonic elves have much to learn. This week it was in for 2 days because the parking brake tolerance was so small that as the weather warmed the brakes appied themselves. New rotors and disc were required. All under warrenty mind you but still. I dont want to know the entire service department my name.

• 

  c230k Sedan - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By plext - January 3 - 10:00 am

  Excellent vehicle!!! Sporty yet classy and elegant...very fun to drive, especially with triptronic transmision...vehicle has an excellent grip of the road...

• 

  Loving My "New to Me" ML 350!! - 2007 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Tihannah - January 3 - 8:36 am

  This is my 1st Mercedes and I am, so far, more than happy with my choice. I traded in my 07 Chevy Tahoe as it was nearing its Warranty end and I could hear all the clunks and bumps starting to happen. I purchased this one with 31K miles and a great warranty. The difference is amazing! I LOVE the way this vehicle looks and feels when driving. The interior feels very roomy and comfy. Im still getting used to all the bells and whistles and how to navigate them. My only complaints are: the 6 disc CD changer~seems kinda slow and chunky and no iPod integration. Also, I have to purchase a bluetooth module to enable my handsfree option.

• 

  Nice car - 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Frank Catalano - January 2 - 11:32 am

  Nice car... but all of the features are not user friendly.

• 

  Favorable - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Bill D. - January 1 - 10:53 pm

  This is the second "E" class I have owned. The first was an E320 Cab. Both cars are first rate. The only slight disappointment has been the gas mileage. My hope is that this will improve by the end of its first year. This hope is based upon the belief that the car will break-in and get better. Hope this is true. The ride and handling is as expected -- and quite good. I look forward to many years of driving pleasure.

• 

  Outstanding - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Al - January 1 - 10:43 am

  We are delighted with our purchase. Picked up in a snow storm; drove for 5 hours in less than pleasant conditions; unually comfortable and very stable in difficult conditions. Quality of workmanship superb.

• 

  3 Irritating Things, but I Love the Car - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By Hoot - January 1 - 5:46 am

  Side mirrors are tiny- very difficult to see. Ride is too mushy even on sport mode setting. Glare on interior windshield on passenger side from wood trim is distracting. I plan to keep the car for 5 years. Found out that I cannot obtain an extended warranty since i am not the original owner. So now AAA gets my business and I can take it to the M-B dealer. Wake up Daimler! If youre over 6 you sit in the front seats- in the rear seat your head touches the roof- believe me. The 2010 version looks more aggressive so after 5 years Ill get one at less than half cost. This car depreciates 50% in less than 3 years!

• 

  Mercedes 320 CDI - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Scott - December 31 - 9:20 pm

  I am a Mercedes enthusiast that has owned models ranging from SL, S and E classes since 1977. I have owned 4 diesels and 8 gas mosels. This is without a doubt, the finest car yet. The speed and torgue is fantastic, actually faster than the E320 gas model. Combine this with fantastic mileage (37 MPG hwy) great handling, impressive interior and exterior design, roomy interior, large trunk and lots of neat features and creature comforts and you have a 10.

• 

  No thanks - 1995 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By B Sim - December 31 - 10:00 am

  Not impressed with this Mercedes. The brakes sqweel when coming to a stop. No cup holders, glove box, or storage. At around 60K the fuel pump, steering pump, headlight switch, sun roof switch, mirror switch, and exhoust pipe failed. Constently replacing the tailight bulbs. The stereo sucks, the seats are too hard,the accelerator is too stiff, and I had to stuff foam everywhere in the back panels to cut down on the road noise! The car does drive nice however...