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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  Nice car, bad service = bad experience - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Jeff - June 5 - 11:30 pm

  I have had my ML 350 for 6 months. In that time it has been in for service 5 times. When the car is not in the shop, it is a pleasure to drive, even in the 6 months of snow here in Alaska. If you are going to spend the money, make sure your dealership understands what "customer service" is. I failed to do so and now find myself wishing I had taken my money elsewhere.

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  Great Car But - 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By kris - May 29 - 7:03 am

  Great car to drive. Front passenger side wheel bearing is gone after 6k km.

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  Best sedan in the class - 2006 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Raymond Wong - May 26 - 2:06 am

  I owned almost every luxury sedans in the last 10 years. It is the best sedan so far. I traded a 2002 S-500 for S-600. The only negative thing is poor gas mileage because this is a 12 cylinder car.

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  This would be the best car if it was more reliable - 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By sir_turtle - May 25 - 5:34 am

  I bought this 4 years old from mercedes dealer in reno. The car looks turn heads EVERYWHERE, Such a pleasure to drive, the 7 speed tranny shifts so smooth that its hard to tell how fast u are going because the power band is so smooth. The suspension creates such a smooth ride that you will notice how different it is then other cars. This has been my absolute fav car to drive, but what a nightmare to own. Battery in the trunk went and cost 300$ for new. you have to go to the dealer for everything because they need to reset the computer or else the car will constantly shut off as a gimmick to get you to the dealer. also suspension valve went and cost $3000 to fix, very common problem

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  A truly reliable fast Chariot - 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Emile - May 24 - 6:06 am

  I read some reviews about the ML55 stating that it drank too much gas and that there were little issues here and there. Initially I was hesitant but instinctively, I wanted to drive it to believe. My wife and I absolutely love the car. It is quick, reliable, sturdy, and a pleasure to drive, especially on the highway. It does not drink that much gas, only to the heavy footed driver. In fact, because of its weight, on the highway, once you build a speed and hold it, the car just cruises sipping on gas. The music is great and the stopping is excellent. No brake problems. We like it and its amazingly safe for the family.

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  So Far So Good... - 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Rio - May 23 - 4:00 am

  Bought my 2001 ML430 because my wife likes the styling. Paid $21K only at 21K miles through good ol eBay. It comes fully loaded with Cognac design interior which is why I like it. I dont like the Navigation because its outdated and too cumbersome to use. Great Bose stereo. Quiet sunroof even at 60+mph. Firm heated leather seats but at times too hot. Brakes only last for 4K-5K miles. Updated to aftermarket Brabus-style 18" wheels now the car handles and rides even better. MPG is BAD!

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  A Family Vehicle with lots of room - 2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By Alison - May 22 - 8:53 am

  We needed a family vehicle that could seat 6-7 people comfortably and still provide space for baby gear, groceries or luggage. We wanted a cross-over type of vehicle, not a monster SUV, and something that still provided luxury, safety and performance. I have been an Audi driver for the past five years so comfort, performance and safety were key. After looking at a number of vehicles we decided to look at the R Class. (The Audi Q7 didnt cut it with cubic space.) I am very pleased with the key factors I had to consider and extremely happy with the space we were seeking. We chose the P1 package with a couple of extras, the I-pod hook up (I love) and heated seats.

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  What happened? - 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By hslmd - May 21 - 10:00 am

  Just ask me for the list. Back to the dealer 12 of the first 18 months I had the car. Good thing it was a lease!!!

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  CLK - 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By AgentScott - May 17 - 10:00 am

  Ever time i drive this vehicle its a pleasure, having come off of a SL i was concerned however it was a great surprise

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  Center of Attraction - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Marygoround - May 17 - 10:00 am

  Definitely a better car than previous SL 500 models