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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  Proud owner since August 2011 - 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By pstef482 - March 28 - 9:21 pm

  Purchased mine certified pre-owned from the dealer with approximately 5,000 miles. I have the premium package and really enjoy the car. As of today it has near 70,000 miles on it and still on the original tires/brakes, etc. Had an issue with the AC last summer but the dealership was able to resolve which was covered under the warranty. The service is top-notch, but you certainly pay a premium. Drives well in the snow. Tinted the windows for privacy, and have black exterior/interior so overall it looks very sharp. I tend to average low 20s local and 26-28 mpg highway, which is better than advertised, using premium.

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  love my car - 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By kay1985 - March 28 - 10:00 am

  I was given my car as a HS grad gift. I am going to college now and it just so happens that I got a great garage park so I do not have to worry about my "baby"! Always cranks on 1st try , even if Ive been cramming for exams and have not driven it for a day or two. I dont mind the looks either!

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  Mercedes E55 AMG - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Finley - March 28 - 10:00 am

  We bought this magnificent auto, and I love it. Great pick up, yet very stylish and comfortable.

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  2005 E320 - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Cardriver - March 28 - 10:00 am

  Excellnt vehicle for a single or a family of 4. State-of-the-art safety features, make this a vehicle to consider if you are thinking about family safety. I purchased the E320 but wish I had purchased the E500 since it would be much faster and the one I have is so much fun to drive....more power would make it even more fun! Everyone who has ssen it or been insode has loved the car. Several friends like it better than the rather large S class. The upgraded harden/karden sound system is worth the extra costs as it is incredible! The Nav system is great if you need it (I do.) Satalite radio is also available. Overall, I am proud to drive the vehicle and other than the sexy SL I think it

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  A few prob. but A DREAM to drive & own!! - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By CatAnnBur - March 28 - 10:00 am

  The style of this baby benz is AWESOME! I have a black interior, black exterior 2005 C240. I bought it on 7/27/04.It shines like a jewel!I also bought a vanity plate for the front. It cost $85 extra-it is black with a silver benz symbol & a silver frame. I love driving this car! I get LOTS of compliments, and there are many great features to brag about. Rear window shade, 6 CD changer, wood trim, rain sensor, retractable sunroof, the list goes on & on. I bought every available warranty that was offered on this car -tire warranty, windshield warranty, paint, interior & exterior finish warranty, GAP insurance, extended warranties - the works, its worth the extra cost.

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  G class=1st class - 2004 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
  By ryan - March 28 - 1:13 am

  wonderful vehicle, but i would really like a 6 speed manual transmission on one.A superb field vehicle.no problems yet.the main competitor in Trinidad are the Range Rovers and the X5s.they cant handle the off road terrain

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  E55 AMG - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Kanals - March 27 - 4:30 am

  excellent car...nothing gets better than this..A class of its own.. E55 Amg. Status..elegance..style..performance..all in one.

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  The Germans have done it again - 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By tdiesel - March 26 - 11:46 am

  Its a Mercedes and it holds up to its name. I test drove the Range Rover, Infiniti QX56 and the Escalade. None of which come even close to comfort and performance. I opted for the GL320 CDI, which is the turbo diesel and for an almost 3 ton truck I get between 24 and 29mpg(The Escalade gets between 12 and 18mpg). The interior design is truly stunning and it has more features than youll ever use.

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  NS - 2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By kazbek - March 25 - 2:00 am

  The car is perfect..exept the novigation system

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  My 6th and the best so far - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By John - March 24 - 11:03 pm

  The new E350 represents my sixth Mercedes and absolutely the best so far. Im a large man and comfort is a major consideration. Ive driven in other high line cares and none compare with the head and leg room provided by the Mercedes. In addition the ride in the new car is so quiet that you can barely hear the engine. However once you step on the accelerator be prepared as the power it has is simply incredible. One of the other real benefits is as a big man at 64when I drive the car the person in the back seat isnt jammed in and I dont have to sacrifice by having to move the driver seat up.The cd player puts out a fabulous sound. The trunk space is emense.