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 Car I have Ever Owned - 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By travisesq - April 18 - 3:30 pm

  I purchased this car two days ago, in palladium silver and black interior. So the only disclaimer for this review is that I have driven the car a total of 150 miles. Having owned several different models of Mercedes (including a 2011 E350, that I traded for this car), as well as BMWs and Porsches, I can honestly say that this is the finest vehicle I have ever driven. Power is more than abundant. Steering and handling are perfection. Exterior and interior build quality and styling give me goose bumps. Buy this car if you can.

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  Awesome Auto - 2001 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By JPF - April 16 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this auto at auction and it rocks! I am 64" and the car fits with room for someone behind me. The engine is more than you need and it handles great in the mountains. I have owned Bimmers before and this is a softer ride somewhat (which my wife likes) but it is less stressful after one long day in the car. Buy it!

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  Great car! - 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By bugdust - April 16 - 10:00 am

  After owning my SL500 for over a year, I am still thrilled everytime I climb in and drive away. Although I travel a lot for business and dont get to drive my car as much as many do, this car is still the consumate sports car and gets a second look from a lot of people. All in all, the best ride Ive ever had.

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  Nothing like it... - 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Kathy123 - April 16 - 10:00 am

  This is my third SL-500, Customer service at my dealership is impeccable, the car itself is amazing. I love driving it. Is it expensive?... probably... am I worth it?....You bet! Will ever drive anything else?...NEVER!

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  Fun and sensible - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Learnsomething - April 16 - 10:00 am

  It was either the C320 coupe for about $30k OTD. or the Maybach for $300k. Just kidding. I wanted a rear wheel drive fun commuter car. The V6 feels more powerful with its automatic than my audi felt with a manual. I love the idea of 8.5 quart oil capacity. All the technology and safety and quality is there. My oyster cloth interior with metal trim looks like a fine suit. But its $15k less than the CLK320 and $9000 less than the C320 sedan. The free maintenance and lifetime roadside assistance are great. The car is comfortable and fun to drive.

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  M-B Wagon - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By tjp - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Great wagon! It is fun to drive and has all wheel drive. The gas milage is bad however. Very peppy engine. Spacious interior.

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  C300 zoom - 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By rob schwartz - April 15 - 6:16 pm

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  The best car ever - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By tj - April 15 - 9:20 am

  I got the ML350 with the suede seats which are very comfortable, and the 3 zone air conditioning system which keeps everyone satisfied. I definitely recommend the purchase of the ML350.

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  Bitten by the "Benz Bug" - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By yoonstuff - April 14 - 12:33 pm

  My 2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Sports Coupe is fun to drive. It has great pick up and it gets great gas mileage on long highway trips. It is a very good looking car with a lot of get up and go. The car looks like it has no room until you open the trunk, lay down the seats and load it up.

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  Expensive to Own - 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Bandit109 - April 14 - 11:06 am

  I bought this car with 41000 miles on it and it now has 86000. I have spent $4500 in repairs, and am advised by a reputable local shop that it needs $2500 more, but that does not include the odd windshield wiper motor that threatens to go out periodically or the power seat controls that only work half the time. Not the half at the shop where they commonly intone, "Unless its not working when we look at it, we cant tell whats wrong with it." Handles well and gets decent mileage. Built-in analog cell phone only works half the time. Next car will be a Honda/Toyota.