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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  Electrical Gremlins - 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By lawman1967 - April 21 - 2:46 am

  Mercedes-Benz just bought back my 2012 C250 because of untraceable electrical issues. I do accept that this was just luck of the draw, a fluke, the random lemon, etc., and dont believe that my car was indicative of the model. I would have random electrical issues like non-functioning buttons, seat controls and warning lights, that would magically correct themselves the next morning. Dealer and even MB regional tried to identify the problem, but failed, ultimately just buying back my car. That said, the C250 was a blast to drive, smoother, more powerful and efficient than the C300 it replaced. Still highly recommended. I replaced my car with a certified 2011 C300.

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  Old Reliable - 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By V&H Ranch - April 21 - 2:00 am

  The truck went through routine maitenance. I only had 1 problem with the dashboard lights. Never had no signifant problems with the truck since. Great off-raod and in bad weather. I would get another without hesitation.

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  Best Ever - 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By Coppy - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned most makes over 40 years,MB since 1969, every high line Mercedes made in the last 20 years (no AMGs) and this by far the finest and most reliable car of all. After eight months of ownership the car remains flawless, is perfectly comfortable and a blast to drive.

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  Mercedez Benz M-Class - 2004 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Nahoola - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Excellent ride for the price and wonderful customer service from MB dealerships.

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  Mercedes the car to drive - 2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Lora Soon - April 21 - 2:00 am

  This car is fantastic, no problems, safe automobile, insurance very cheap.

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  Ann - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Ann Sprovach - April 21 - 2:00 am

  This is the most fun driving Ive had in a looooong time!

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  Tons of Room - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By MEJO - April 20 - 8:20 pm

  We had an ML320 and were really looking to trade for a BMW wagon, but, then we found the R350. From the first time my 62" husband sat in the third row and was comfy to the way it handles we were sold. The R350 is a large vehicle but drives like a sedan. We have the Saks Fifth Avenue edition and love the looks inside. For those of us moms who refuse to drive a minivan this is the perfect car.

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  Over priced - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By neveragain - April 20 - 2:06 pm

  Bought it with 2000 miles. My wife said not to. She was right. It rides like a light car. In the shop all the time. Way underpowered. Then purchased a Sequia what difference bigger interior better ride and better MPG. Dont buy one. My first Mercedes and my last.

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  Not All That - 2002 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
  By SCMAN - April 19 - 10:00 am

  I admit, I had to order one and be one of the first. Yes I made a mistake and will be selling or trading it in. While its a respectable off road vehicle and can run circles around anything except a Hummer (either one) but its just too "goofy" to be seen in every day. Face it, call it retro, art, or just plain ugly its not a good looking vehicle. Interior quality is Mercedes all the way. Not sure who this truck is targeted toward, but its not me.

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  Nice Mercedes - 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Ben Hurr - April 19 - 10:00 am

  This is a great vehicle. Its not a boat...easy to see, drive and park. Comfortable and very nice to drive. Has room for 7, but we took out one seat in order to get more cargo room...so make that 6+ cargo. Top of the line safety features, both on and off road.