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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  Better than my first one - 2004 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Stan Long - March 8 - 2:00 am

  This is my second ML in 4 years. The 350s interior design is greatly improved, over the 2000 320. The center console is more functional and the rear A/C controls is a welcome addtion. I also like the larger wheels, they made for a smoothier ride.

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  Mercedes-benz E-500 ! - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By hong tran - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Its perfect ! Two thumbs up ! Ill always trust in Mercedes-Benz,especially in E-class.

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  spetacular - 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By fdplatt - March 8 - 2:00 am

  This in the fourth MB SL that I have owned and it is the best. Fast Luxurious and Stunning. On the highway it drives like a race car with the comfort and manneres of a two swated Limo.

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  great car - 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By J.VITARELLI - March 8 - 2:00 am

  had 2003 sl500 sold it for 2004 sl55 night and day difference why cant they build the 500 with this level of detail?

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  AWFUL VEHICLE ALL AROUND - 1999 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By luke702 - March 7 - 10:56 pm

  I dont know what you people giving this car a good review are smoking, but what I do know is that drugs are bad. Ive had about 21 vehicles so far, and the 99 ML320 is the most awful, poorly built, unreliable, thing (not a car!) that has ever been sold on this galaxy. The car was well kept and still it has 177k miles ONLY running because I have basically rebuild the darn thing. EVERYTHING on the car has gone bad! a few things such as clutch fan, a/c compressor, cold/hot air selector motor have actually been changed a few times! Other than that, name it (radiator, electrical components, all cabin controls for everything, drive shaft bearing, catalytic converter, suspension, etc) went bad

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  MY MISTAKE - 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
  By Melamik - March 7 - 4:46 pm

  I purchased the GLK 350 4matic 3 weeks ago and traded in my Lexus RX330 fromo 2004. That was the biggest mistake I could have made. My Lexus never needed to go into the shop for repairs beside the regular maintenance. My GLK has already been iin the service dept 3 times in 3 weeks. Maybe I bought a lemon and if the problems persist I will be filing for lemon law. I have had instrument problems, electrical issues and some of the fit and finish has not been up to par. I just wish I could turn back time so I didnt trade in my other car.

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  Review - 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By i like benz - March 7 - 10:00 am

  This car is good, I like it. I recomend it to everyone who is thinking about a luxury SUV. I like its off road capabilities and smooth highway ride.

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  To be young again! - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Speed - March 7 - 10:00 am

  Wish I was 25 again and had this car. Who would think old old mans Mercedes could eat unsuspecting Camaro/Mustangs for lunch. Most of them wont even look at you at a stop light because who would race a Mercedes? When the light goes green and you wave Bye-Bye, it is such a trip. Is the car perfect? No. But I have never seen one yet that is. Is the car FUN to drive? ABSOLUTELY!!!

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  Sexiest car Ive owned - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Inctomi - March 6 - 9:03 am

  Since Mercedes doesnt hold value like the Beamer I had before, I was able to get a great deal on a low mileage 06 in CT. The car is mint with Nav, black on black, etc etc. I am only in my 3rd week and I love it. Our other car is a Lexus ES350 which is a safe bet boring sedan and I convinced my wifey to get this for her. Lets just that it is not a 335 twin turbo but has enough power under the hood and looks better than comparable cars, way better. It drives well enough and I have been inventing excuses just to take it on the road. So far, I dont have any annoying rattles or anything. Best looking I owned.

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  Excellent Car! - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Loan Lady - March 4 - 2:43 pm

  I drove the Lexus convertable and fell in lust. But not until I drove the 2003 MB 500 SL that I fell in love! Great steering radius and serious power and performance. MB is back!