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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  Who Da Mn - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Paul Pelc - February 18 - 8:53 pm

  This is just an all around Precision Machine. Ungodly speed and handling! The Vette or Carrera or just about anything that pulls up next to you will end up in your rearview mirror. It doesnt matter if you are starting from a stop or already going 80, hit it and it will plant your head and take off like a bullet. The first time you head up a 40mph ramp merging into the highway doing 137mph you realize how AMG is - vs standard. The only regret is that the Autoban is not a local road!

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  Fantastic & Elegant - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Denver - February 17 - 2:10 pm

  We just purchased a 2008. The vehicle is beautiful. The power is more than adaquate. With all of the safety options and driving control/traction we cant wait to use it in the snow as we travel in the Denver/Boulder area. This car will be our last "big purchase" for us for a long time. It has all of the features Cant lose with a Benz, however you also cant get a true "Benz" without adding the options and plan on spending over $45,000 when you are all done.

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  Here is my early review... - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By ENTYME69 - February 16 - 3:00 am

  I took possession of my Silver C230 in December. Although its too early for a full review, here are my thoughts so far. This is my first Benz. It definitely has more of a solid feel vs other cars I have driven (98 Maxima). Its not as high a performance beast as the BMW 325 miight be, but the 201hp is more than enough to move around. The car is a little hesitant from a dead stop, but it drives smoothly once you get going. Gas has been as expected, obviously better on the highway than when you are stoping at every light & stop sign. The car carries that certain feeling that others in its class do not. It may not be the best value or offer the most, but you feel safe driving it. I like it.

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  Saved my Life - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By BenMedMD - February 15 - 1:33 pm

  I purchased a pre-owned 2003 Mercedes- Benz E320 from a collegue in April of 2005. It had 23000 miles, but it was in great shape (save a broken cupholder). In August of 2005, while stopped in traffic on the way to Cape Cod, a Chevy Blazer traveling at approximately 75 miles an hour stuck the rear of my E320. I cant really remember it, but my car flipped 5 times, landing roof down, in the middle of the interstate. I should be dead. Instead, I walked out with nothing but a couple of bruised ribs & a new outlook on life. Look at the negative reviews---all arbitrary complaints about little inconveniences. Mercedes-Benz. saved my life. The safest car on the road. BMW cannot even touch M-B safety.

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  First ML - 2010 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Dwight Mcfarlane - February 14 - 11:16 am

  I purchased this vehicle on Sept.4th 2009. I will admit that I did an extensive study on this vehicle including test driving an 08 and three 06s of this same model and make. I also test drove eight other comparable SUVs of the same size. However, I always went back to the ML because it was just a cut above. The older MLs that I test drove had held up quite well telling me that a new one should be just fine.(including the improvements).

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  FUN, Fast and Luxurious - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By mb59 - February 14 - 10:00 am

  Every time I get in my 2005 E320...I think..."I love my car!" I test drove everything in its class, above and below and chose the Mercedes due to luxury, driveability and fun.

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  great feel,looks,and handling - 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
  By sjs - February 12 - 6:53 pm

  After driving a n sl550for 2 1/2 yrs. Its a lot roomier to say the least. After my test drive I knew I had to get one. The drive was awesome, takes corners like a champ, seating is very comfortable. The 268 hp engine is the same one that was in my slk 350 several yrs. Ago. Its quiet and has a lot of get up & go. Proforms well. I now can get several sets of golf clubs in the cargo area. I tested all the small suvs, this is definatly the best.

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  great car and keeps runnning - 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By maizeandblue23 - February 10 - 4:48 pm

  I have 120,000 miles on the ML. Its a safe, big interior with huge trunk and handles very well.

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  CL550 Stealth mode Luxury & Performance - 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By English Euro - February 9 - 8:20 pm

  I bought my CL550 in like-new condition with 10k miles on it. This is a superb car. It is fun to drive, classy looking, loaded with high tech gadgets but not hard to use. Not obnoxious like driving a Bentley; most people dont know what the CL is which is a good thing. Nightvision is cool but weird to have a TV-like display on the dash while driving. Keyless go is neat, but takes a little getting used to. Car handles and accelerates very well. I have a 2005 911S which I may sell, as the CL seems an adequate replacement. I also have a 2004 S500 4matic which I may keep as my winter car. The phone integration with my Blackberry is excellent.

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  Comfort and Performance - 2005 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Luxury and Practical - February 8 - 5:56 pm

  This vehicle has taken its hit on fuel economy but I didnt buy this Mercedes Benz ML 350 (special edition) for this purpose. Its the best all around SUV that I test drove including the BMW SUV 5.0 which I liked but which was overpriced. The special edition includes 17 inch wheels which add to the comfort of the ride. Ive owned a Cadillac Escalade and had test drven all the comparable SUVs prior to buying and concluded that this luxury SUV had it all. The ride is comfortable when you drive this SUV unlike other SUVs which drive like a truck.