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 Luxury Sedan You Can Buy - 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Katy Korsay - October 23 - 9:24 pm

  This Mercedes is still perfect, like me! After owning this new E Class, I now understand why U.S. News and World Report ranks it as the #1 luxury car on the market. This is a "Baby S Class" but with more technology. Any complaints you read with these reviews about the small engine size came from men with small engines of their own, and need a larger car engine to make them feel better. This engine is quick, fast, quiet, and gets great gas mileage. The interior of this Mercedes E Class is what really sets it apart from a BMW 5 Series, Lexus, and Audi. There is no comparison, as the class and "wow factor" that this car exudes will make BMW 5 Series owners cringe even more with their Mercedes Benz jealousy than they normally do. The over 12 inch navigation screen and 64 color ambient lighting that run throughout the front and back of the car are simply stunning. If you are looking to drive the best of the best, and like to watch your neighbors drop their jaw when you pull in your driveway, purchase an E Class and set yourself apart from the rest of the pack.

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  Initial problems resolved - awesome vehicle - 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By hezman - October 23 - 4:02 am

  This is the 2011 E-Class sedan with the sport package in obsidian black with grey interior. After some initial problems with the airmatic suspension (replaced rear air springs) and rattles in the rear of the vehicle (replaced seat belt rollers and roller blind system), the vehicle is now unbeatable in style, comfort and performance.

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  Wow what a dfference - 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Ray Maselli - October 22 - 9:33 am

  The SL500 is a thrill to drive. Its fast, responsive and very comfortable. I had a 560SL 1989 before this and it was great but this car is superb in every way. Pricey to repair but the ride and fun makes it worth it. I expect to get many good driving years out of it. After all, it is a Mercedes.

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  mybenz - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By parker - October 21 - 10:23 pm

  I though it would be neat to get a mercedes but I didt want to spend a lot. So, here I am with a new c-class. These cars are cheap which is why practically every other person on the road has one. However, now that I have it I have found out that it feels very similar to the Toyota Corolla I used to drive. Mercedes should drop the entry level segment just as Jaguar has. Next time Ill stay away from the poor mans model and get something decent.

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  Nothing but good on this one - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Kris Keeney - October 21 - 3:40 am

  I have had nothing but good results with my 2004 E500. Acceleration is great. I have read some of the other entries here and feel for those who have had a different experience. Maybe it was luck, or whatever, but my E500 has been awesome. My lease is up soon and I am trying to decide what to do. I should buy this car, but am tempted to check out even more power. The acceleration is addictive. Make sure you obtain a radar detector. Such is the only reason I am not locked up.

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  solid very well built - 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
  By Phoenix - October 21 - 12:40 am

  My wife bought a new Lexus RX .I bought the Mercedes GLK. My wife says hers is more of a womans SUV the GLK is more of a mans SUV. Her Lexus has been in the shop 2 times in 4 months (2351 miles) Mercedes-Benz 5014 miles O times in shop. I won but lost she now drives the GLK and I have to drive the Lexus RX this stinks (boring,boring,boring).I will be trade my wifes Lexus in this week end.

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  Love/Hate Heartbreak - 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By Schaffs04 - October 20 - 3:59 pm

  The GL was a dream come true for me at the beginning. One owner, 2011 GL450 with a clean carfax and good looking maintenance history. Purchased from an MB dealer in April 2015. On the upside it was incredibly comfortable, fast, elegant, and as capable of hauling 6 adults in comfort to dinner as it was pulling a trailer with 3 tons of rock. When it was right, it was a thing to behold. When it went wrong, as it often did, it was like getting kicked in the gut. In 12 months and 20k miles: *Front Airmatic failure: $2,450 to repair *Primary and Secondary Battery Failures: $550 to repair *Blown underhood fuse panel: $450 to repair. *Standard maintenance for the year: $800, and that was skipping the spark plugs due at 60k which would have been another $600. Insult to injury was the depreciation in just one year: close to 40%. It has gone away and I am back to a nice, reliable, Japanese Infiniti. No need for 7 passenger so I also downsized. The only way this truck makes sense is if you can either do the work yourself, or have no worries about significant unexpected repairs. Wanted one for 25 years and after a year with the Benz, I suggest if you want a 7 passenger SUV that can tow, save yourself the heart wrenching experience of a GL and buy a GMC Yukon or Lexus LX570.

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  E320 vs E350 - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By John - October 19 - 6:36 pm

  I traded my 2000 E320 i for a 2004 E320 about 14 months ago. Loved all the new styling, etc. About 3 weeks ago I was rear ended at about 60 MPH. Walked away with just minor injuries. Picked up my new E350 last week and WOW! The new engine and 7 speed transmision completly changed the character of the car. Now you get all the comfort and safety along with a engine that does the rest of the car justice. Who would think 51HP would make such a difference and the extra lower 1st gear makes it snap right off the line. If you are a E-Class junkie like me or thinking of a new luxury sedan, you owe it to yourself to look the the E-350!!!

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  Lovin it - 2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Jay - October 19 - 5:36 am

  Just picked up the ML for my wife. We looked at the X5, Q7 and the MDX. The ML interior is great compared to the others. The ride is fantastic! I believe that whatever issues this car had previously-they have corrected. My wife is in heaven. She loves the seats and says they are the most comfortable she has ever had. The ride is very quiet and the handling is smooth. We are very happy with our choice.

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  Do not buy an R350 - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By Pete - October 19 - 3:50 am

  We purchased our car used from a Mercedes dealer, it has been in the shop 9 times in 8 months. Tail lamps melted, rear hatch locked shut, air vents all broke. Temperature controls were stuck on a temperature could not change. Plastic on seat rails has broken multiple times. Bad wheel bearing, rattled catalytic converter, broken latch over spare tire, misc trim pieces needed to be realigned. We loved the car initially but after 8 months of loaners for a week at a time in some cases we have vowed to never buy another Mercedes. We have had several Mercedes prior to this one and this car has been a major dissappointment. I would encourage anyone not to buy this car. Do your homework!