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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  Sexy Sedan/Coupe - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By Factoid Junkie - April 25 - 12:46 pm

  This car blends the proven handling and performance of the highly rated E class (with airmatic) with superior interior appointments. I love the drive and enjoy the styling. Its roomier than it appears and has ample trunk space. The 7 gear transmission is a dream.

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  What a workhorse - 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By cabernt13 - April 25 - 10:00 am

  With gas prices going up, its nice to be getting 35 mpg with less expensive fuel. Its safe, nice to look at, and very economical.

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  Great Car - 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By PJAW - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Im nearing the end of my 4 year lease, and I have enjoyed every minute of it. You have to own one of these to appreciate all the details that contribute to the driving experience. It manages to be ultra comfortable and quiet without becoming dull or isolating the driver. Ive just road tested the obvious competitors (7 series, A8, XJ), all of which are new designs, looking for my next car and they all have obvious flaws. So Ive configured and ordered a 2004 S-Class and am looking forward to another pleasurable 4 years.

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  Amazing Car! - 2001 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By upscaleconsumer - April 25 - 10:00 am

  This car is wonderful. Ive driven the M5 and while it is probably more similar than different, I really prefer the E55. It feels much lighter in the handling department and the power, while probably close to the same feels much stronger with the E55.

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  Inspriation 350ML - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Mark2000 - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Great car to drive with lots of class. Nice feel and look when you get the Inspriation Edition. Sports seats, chrome grills and instruments, trip computer, etc. Great package. The AMG seats are great with added lumbar support and full bosters. Only problem so far has been a factory recall for power steering hose clamps. $3000 dealer rebates on 2003 models.

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  Wonderful car - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Lucille - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Love my Benz!!!!!! its comfortable! Very dependable! There is nothing that I dont like! I have owned MBs for 4 years.

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  I LOVE this car! - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By conniej1954 - April 24 - 1:36 am

  I bought my 2002 Mercedes c320 4 door sedan in December 2011 with only 68,000 miles on it. I also bought a warrranty. I have had it in the shop a few times but only to get the scheduled maintanance done that the previous owner did not do. A lot of the things were actually covered under my warranty. I love the Tulsa, Okla Mercedes dealership, Jackie Cooper Imports. They are top of the line for the way they treat customers and do the car repairs, etc. I love my car! I am 57 years old and have never had a car that I have enjoyed more in my life.

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  Still love it! - 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Edvard Petrovskiy - April 23 - 9:10 pm

  I love my C320! It still a head- turner, looks/drives great. It does break a lot (same problems that other MB owners have). Hey, what do you expect from an expensive car? If you buy this car with out warranty, expect to pay about $1000 annually in repair bills. My mechanic does the repairs, I never take it to dealer, except free car washes(You can do an oil change anywhere.) Its a great car!

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  What a ride - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By d of athens - April 23 - 8:13 pm

  I traded my 2005 Acura tl for this car 30 days ago and am very happy with it. Looks good, rides good. 7 speed auto is very smooth and better gas mileage than my previous car.

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  Great Car - 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By VJR - April 23 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this car from a coworker. It has been wonderful from the beginning (including when my coworker owned it). Because I didnt purchase it new it isnt equipped the way I would. e.g., I would want navigation and rear backup sensors. But Ive had very few mechanical issues and have definitely enjoyed ownership.