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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  We shall see - 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Sportsman1 - September 2 - 10:06 am

  Have owned E550 for 2 weeks. In shop for last three days. Voice command inoperable ,drivers side airbag inoperable, rattle in dash. Dealer followed MB bulletin, did not correct rattle. Quality still a question after all the QA/QC conferences held by MB. Leased vehicle based on a complete makeover per MB and the deletion of the Bosh electric brakes which cost MB dearly in warranty costs. Wife likes style of car which is better than a 550i BMW. However the adjustable air suspension is not calibrated correctly. Neither the soft, normal, or hard setting provide a satisfying ride. BMW still a better ride and a true drivers car. Sold one of the last 2001 BMW 740i sports to do deal, I hope this was not a big mistake.

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  Nice Ride but ------- - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By BamaBGone - September 2 - 10:00 am

  Overall nice car but breaks all around at 24K seems like poor quality. The car is babied and goes on country drives for the most part. I work from home so a trip to the store 2/wk. Now my wheel bearing is making noise with just 24K.

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  Overpriced Chrysler - 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By JW - September 2 - 10:00 am

  Road noise got to me, steering lifelless and too light.Good dart if you floor it & wait for 1 sec, otherwise, tiring in both S & C mode. Daft ergonomics. Steering column gear shifter and foot parking brakes are MB signatures that should be killed in the 80s. Signal stalk should be where the cruise control stalk is. And the turning knob for wipers is so Chrysler/Ford. Thirsty. Dash designs looks like a cross btw a Honda/Camaro - cheap. Cheap also applies to rear air vent plastic housing. BMW/Audi beater it is not. Maybe will give a 300M run for the money. Oh, sorry, wrong price bracket. Nav system display & voice command out of sync and that lifting intonation at end of sentence - AARG

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  Excellent to own - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Phil - September 1 - 3:03 am

  This car has everything anyone could want: safety, reliability, styling, comfort, standard upgrades such as an audio system that uses fiber-optic wiring to the speakers (you hear every sound), and great gas mileage. What more could you want?

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  Perfect for the aspiring VP - 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Alex - August 31 - 6:13 pm

  I bought this car with 222,000 miles on it from a family friend. In 7 days, the radiator blew, but for 3 years after, now with 244,000 miles, the car drives beautifully. Comfort, handling, horsepower, and after tinting the windows, style. I plan to drive this car until it breaks down completely, overall it is a true gentlemans ride.

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  Second C - 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By mbinny - August 31 - 4:28 pm

  Yes this is my second C class, the first being a 2005 C280 (The older body style) which I thought was the greatest car ever built giving you best of all worlds; Sporty, Luxury, Stylish, etc... I didnt think the car could get any better and then I test drove the 2010 C300 Lux 4matic and it was love at first sight all over again. The car is completely different but still has that MB feel of solid German egineering. Tight as a drum but smooth and confident in all areas; accel, stop, turn and hwy. I love this car. I look forward to driving it every chance I have.

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  Is there anything bad? - 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By MBRob - August 29 - 8:36 am

  I received my first Mercedes upon turning 16. It was a hand-me-down 190E with 197k,but I was hooked on Benz from then on.Before starting college, my parents surprised me with a 99 C280.It had just over 70k so it was just getting started. After having for almost 2 years,and 50k miles I still love it. Mercedes has outdone themselves. The horsepower seemed a little small until you drive the car. It is fast! It really seems to have everything a car could need! Besides a couple small quirks, broken cupholder(surprise) and failed wiper motor, I have had no problems.Services are a little pricey, but people who complain about that had to have known that beforehand. Good gas mileage too. Way to go MB!

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  pleasure - 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By hines - August 29 - 2:00 am

  For the first time I have found a convertible that has no wind noise and plenty of leg room.a man 6 foot plus can drive this car in comfort. This car is responsive and fun to drive and I recommend this vehicle to anyone.

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  Gliding in comfort - 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By fredkimka - August 29 - 2:00 am

  Consumer Reports says this is the best riding car they have ever tested and they are absolutely correct. It is a pleasure to drive and shines on long trips. Despite a few reports of quality or reliability concerns, my vehicle has been 100% trouble free. Ive had it nearly a year and it has never needed service.

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  OK CAR - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By VLADIMIR THEODOROF - August 29 - 2:00 am

  IS A HIGH QUALITY COMPONENTS CAR CHEAPLY BUILT. I WOULD OPT FOR 3.2L ENGINE ANY DAY (UNFORTUNATELY WAS NOT AVAILABLE IN 2002)