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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  Latest Generation E - nearly flawless - 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By RedVestEd - October 7 - 3:23 pm

  Having owned several Mercedes, including two prior Es, I find this latest generation to be a winner. Im barely 800 miles into this car and I couldnt be happier with the experience. All the expected MB touches like fit and finish are superior. Paint is flawless. The ride is appropriately comfortable without being soft. The ergonomics of the cockpit are the best Ive driven lately.

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  E-Class CDI - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Bill - October 7 - 1:43 pm

  This auto is great. I drive on the road in sales, it is comfortable, and fun to drive. The pickup is outstanding, not what many think of when looking a a diesel, this one will push you back into the seat. Diesel fuel is not hard to find, one tip, carry a pair of plastic gloves to wear when refueling, keeps the diesel smell off of you and the auto.

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  Great ride - 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Rocket - October 7 - 9:16 am

  I just bought this SL550 for my wife. What a beautiful car. She wanted a sports car and I would not let her drive my Z8 :-) This car is such a nice all around car. It had about 8K miles on it and is 2.5 years old and like another mentioned about 50% of initial MSRP. It was a certified MB so we got a additional 2 year 50K warranty on top of the existing warranty. The car is built like a tank and has plenty of power. It is no Z8 but a much better every day car and tourer and quite the luxury cruiser. We could have spent $60K on a new Corvette GS or the same on this TT&L and it was a no brainer.

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  1998 MB - 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By damngoodlookin - October 7 - 8:40 am

  Ive had this car for a year now. I have regular service at a independent mechanic. I have had basically almost no problems with it at all except a leak in an after-market chrome wheel, which was fixed for $29. Although there are a number of newer MB in my work parking lot, the valets like to park mine right in front, maybe because the 98 E is the size of the newer S series and the styling is so great. I am more than pleased with it.

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  Great car - 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By elliott - October 7 - 5:40 am

  Love this car (my baby), brought brand new. No problems. Door regulator failed under warranty and battery recalled under warranty. New battery is 6 yrs old and perfect. Beautiful car to look at when freshly washed. Interior classy. Proud to drive it. Most people think it is much more expensive then it was. Little slow in acceleration but if put the auto trans in 3rd or 4th gear very satisfying. Very smooth engine, very solid , safe cabin. Love it. Plan to keep it til it starts mechanical problems.

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  GL350 Best in class! - 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By J.cooper - October 4 - 8:13 pm

  I have put 60,000 miles on this vehicle with zero problems. This SUV, is a beast! Its big, comfortable, luxurious and reliable. I can go almost 700 miles per tank on the freeway with plenty of torque and power. I have towed up to 5600 pounds with no problems whatsoever. One of the most comfortable rides available on any large SUV. The options to list on this vehicle or limitless, I suggest getting the massage seats!

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  Best car ever - 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By MansBFisHisMercedes - October 3 - 6:26 am

  I have owned this car for a couple months now, and I have never been so happy driving it.Im a BMW person, and when I drove this,I dont think I want to have anything else but a Mercedes.The CLK has a timeless styling, that no other car could match.The pillarless design is genius, reduces blind spots and gives the car that sporty look.The cars performance is great actually,but it could use some more push. The car makes me feel real safe, and when I close the door it makes me feel like I got into a tank.The cars interior is one of the best out there,I got everything but cooled seats and parking sensors. Seats are real plush, and they hold you in in tight turns.The Front logo is my favorite.

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  My First Luxury Car - 2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Veroom - October 2 - 12:36 pm

  This is my first luxury car purchase. I was going to purchase a new Honda Accord V6 but when I saw the MB C230, I drove it and fell in love. The cost of the one year old MB compared to a 2008 Accord V6 was the same, unbelievably! The handling and luxury of the MB C230 far out weighed the Accord - no comparison there. I travel extensively and am so excited to land and get in my car. The valet guys at the airport say they love the car too ;). I will never own anything else. The MB C230 is a FFV but I have yet to fill it with E85. The only think that drives me crazy about this car is that only the seat back and bottom seat have power controls, the foward and backward seat controls is manual.

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  WORTH THE WAIT - 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By BARBARA - October 2 - 10:00 am

  OUR CL55 AMG IS ONE OF THE BEST CARS WE HAVE OWNED. STYLE, PERFORMANCE AND HANDLING. THERE IS NO OTHER VEHICLE WE CAN COMPARE IT TO.

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  C280 sport - 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By tuna - October 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle used with 31k miles and have driven it about 10k since. It is fun to drive, looks good, and is very comfortable for trips. It has enough power for nearly any demand, although I have to admit I have fantasized about a C43. It is an exceptional highway car, moving easily from 60 to 90 MPH.