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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  Excellent Sports Tourer - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By CaliforniaVehicleOrg - August 13 - 6:30 pm

  The Mercedes Benz R class is unbelievable. It is reliable, fun to drive and sleek. Comes with great accesories and features as well. Even though sticker says the R500 gets around 18 mpg, it can actually get around 25 - 30 mpg.

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  S420 - 1995 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By YRChachad - August 13 - 2:00 am

  One of the grandest cars put on the road. Side-by-side, this car is better made than the equivalent Lexus LS400, or BMW 740iL, there is just no question.

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  Not your fathers Mercedes - 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By carfreak23 - August 13 - 2:00 am

  The ML feels a little cheap and not as solid as what I expected. It does not have that heavy MB ride, and I do not feel swathed in luxury when I drive it.

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  Great vehicle....But - 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Tabasco - August 13 - 2:00 am

  Great vehile however here are my objections: NO Pass-through for skis. In this day and age there should be a pass through the rear center arm rest for skis or golf clubs etc. There should NOT be an up charge on the 500 series for rear seat heaters. When you pay more than $80,000 for a car the rear seat heaters should be included. Needs one DVD for navigation s¥ßtem not 7 cds

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  Not what I expected - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By randallc - August 13 - 2:00 am

  As a previous owner of a 1995 S class, I was expecting more from a Mercedes. The M class is in a much lesser league than my old Mercedes. It does not exude quality and opulence. It is "plasticy." It feels like a car for the masses. It lacks the solid, stoic, German, big, heavy feel that I was looking for. Instead, it is what I would have expected from a mid-priced line.

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  My New Car - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By TWM - August 13 - 2:00 am

  The car tracks like it is on rails. The exhaust note is beautiful. I bought a black metallic on graphite interior. Love the car.

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  315K and Going Strong - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Mercman - August 12 - 4:43 am

  I bought mine new in 99 and now has 315,000 miles and going strong. Replaced engine mounts about a year ago and shocks and struts a few years ago -- not that they absolutely had to be replaced, but it was a bit of an improvement. Body is close to perfect, as is the interior. Still has the original 16-year old battery, and last winter we had 10 consecutive days of below zero temps, and it started up every time without a hitch! This car was overbuilt (before Mercedes went to Chrysler and back). Basically, all that Ive done is change the synthetic oil every 10K miles and, of course, periodic tire and brake changes. If you can pick one up which has been well maintained, you will NOT be disappointed. Very smooth and powerful ride, and still getting 25 mph on the highway (and best cruise control of any car I ever owned).

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  Love it! - 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
  By Love it! - August 12 - 12:32 am

  Be sure and get Apple Car Play. (I have lots of the bells and whistles, so that upped the final price.) I love having my phone mirrored on the screen. Being able to press one button on steering wheel for voice control on texts, calls, directions, etc. makes driving easier and safer. The car drives like a dream. The engineering of the transmission is amazing! I’ve had the car a week and a half, and it takes some practice knowing how to stylize and personalize the car to my preferences, but I’m getting there. Dealership and the i-button have been patient and helpful. With recent hip replacement surgery, I knew I needed a car that was easy to get in and out of. I suppose any smaller SUV would have done that, but this car has a come hither smile built into it. This car is perfect. It’s got a surprisingly sporty, confident approach in its design. Dang, this is a fun, cool, safe, luxurious car. Love it!

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  Best choice! - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By benz - August 11 - 2:53 am

  I am so glad that I had chosen this over Lexus. Sure Lexus is reliable, but very boring and unoriginal. Also, absolutely no problems ever! Not one! Only time I went to the dealership was to buy the car, and have it washed! I love the interior design and soft leather and seats!

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  Going to Miss CLK styling - 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By EmeraldCoast1092 - August 9 - 9:33 am

  This is my third Mercedes-Benz CLK, nothing but fun to drive much better than any of my BMWs. Easy of convertible top functions, remote control, good sound system, great on the highway miles per gallon for Florida, very easy with maintenance services schedules and looking for a new 2010 when lease expires. Much better beverage holders now and the bluetooth phone function is great. !