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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  First Benz.... Might be Last Benz - 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By TM - September 15 - 3:34 am

  8K$ car (GL550 -2015- Only gave blue tech as trim option via Edmunds review? pull down window)). Sales was outstanding. Issues with the Transmission/Tires/window seals/AC mold issues all within the first 4000 miles. Spent over 2 weeks in the shop in under 5 months of ownership. Once the sale is made you deal with the abyss of service and quality issues. This is the most disappointed Ive been in a new car purchase in over 25 years.

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  CLK 430 Cab - 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By MK - September 14 - 1:16 pm

  I love my 430 convertible. When I got the car, it was 4 years old but I still love it. The look, handling, convertible, heated seats, comfortable leather seats, and AC are my favorite features. I live in Calgary, AB where we have wicked winters at -35 degrees celcius (-31 F) and hot summer days at +35 degrees celcius (95 F) and this car handles the different seasons perfectly. I do suggest throwing some chrome rims on the car, which makes it look like a million dollars.

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  This car has everything - 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By tallyken - September 13 - 3:03 pm

  Is it possible to have luxury, comfort, superb build quality, and safety in one car? Yup! Oh, you want performance too? Well, this is the one to get. Im comparing the S63 to other cars Ive owned: NSX, SL600, 2 Vipers, several Corvettes, S500, SL55 AMG, and the S63 rules.

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  Overrated - 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By taylort - September 11 - 10:02 am

  I have read a lot of the reviews on the E35O and know a lot of people like this car but I think it is overrated because it has the Mercedes name plate. If the same car had a Ford or Chevy name plate on it I wonder if it with be rated so highly. I have a 2013 E-350 with Sports package. I have had some issues with the command console and the road noise is terrible. Mercedes say the level of road noise is normal. I guess since I have the sport package. It is too much noise for any car to have coming in the cabin. I have a 2001 BMW 530 with sports package and it is quieter than the E350. The technical issues with the command console, I plan to visit the dealer today.

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  MERCEDES E 400 SPORT SEDAN: PURE PERFECTION!!! - 2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By abacomike - September 9 - 11:24 pm

  I just bought my 9th E Class Sedan on December 12th, 2014 - a 2015 E 400 Sedan. Like all E Class Sedans Ive owned and driven, its a pleasure to drive, however the new Twin-Turbo V-6 Engine is a true performer (329 hp 354 lb ft torque). After driving the new E 400 for 5 weeks now, Im getting 31.8 mpg highway and 20 mpg city with a combined average of 24.2 mpg. Power, performance and superb handling are not sacrificed at all with the new high mpg power plant. This is the best automobile I have ever driven! Standard Features are abundant and I ordered the car with every available option. The car handles so beautifully. I recommend ordering the 19" optional wheels - better handling!

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  Performance and Looks! CLS 550 Review - 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By M - September 9 - 8:33 pm

  Really hard to find any faults in this car. Torque and power will surpass just about anything out there. Ordered mine with every option including AMG package. Really finishes off the car. Includes paddle shifters, AMG exhaust, and AMG styled aprons and trim. Put it in Sport 2, turn off the traction control, and put it in manual mode. Thats when you can really see what this car is all about. 18 inch staggered wheels really grip the road and corner effortlessly. MB really has outdone themselves with this years CLS. Can only imagine the power of the CLS63. But this one has plenty!

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  g-500 - 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
  By rafael medina - September 9 - 10:00 am

  FIRST 10000 MILES GOT PROBLEMS WITH A WATER LICK INSIDE THE A/C PIPING.EVERY TIME YOU WASHED IT WATER WOULD COME INSIDE THE CAB. GOT IT FIXED. HAPPY OWNER

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  Bye Mercedes - 1995 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By cuperqui - September 9 - 10:00 am

  I have owned a mercedes for 25 years to include various classes. The S-class was the ultimate car. You feel very much in control of the car. Long highway drives are effortless. However, purchase a good extended warranty. Power windows mechanism have gone out on two windows in my S-class, gasket and seals have been replace twice, the illumination of dashboard components have gone out twice and maintence and repairs are expensive. I recently moved to a Lexus 430 and admittedly I miss my Mercedes drive but the Mercedes pails in comparison to the luxury features of my Lexus and the reliability of the Lexus.

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  "AMG" KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING - 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By nuzi - September 9 - 10:00 am

  THE MERCEDES ML55 AMG IS FAST. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT YOU CANT FLOOR THE PADEL! THE ML55 LOOKS AND DRIVES MEAN. YOU WOULD LOVE TO DRIVE THIS 342 HP SUV BEAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  M class its here to stay - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By kakau - September 9 - 10:00 am

  this vehicle its very safe it drives smooth like a sedan with a very comfortable interor.its made for people who enjoy a smooth afternoon ride in the neigborhood and also for those who like a big adventure. well desingend interior with premium material a good v6 engine well designed exterior with a longer wheel base that turns it a safer vehicle.