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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  Not Enough for the Price - 2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By spicoli - August 20 - 11:16 am

  We were previously dedicated BMW owners however a lack of incentive programs on the new X5s led me to Mercedes. The vehicle we bought is pathetically equipped. We did buy an entry level model (only $46,000). But even at that price one would assume you would get some of the basics. I am very disappointed in the lack of features. Here is a list of what the vehilce does not have that all of my previous BMWs came with as standard: Xenon headlights Rain sensing windsheild wipers No song/artist title on radio display Power lift gate Child locks on rear doors (believe that one!) Driver power seat memory Rear climate control

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  New Owner - 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By torontomichael - August 20 - 10:46 am

  Braking noise & quirks have been completely resolved from earlier E models. In fact,braking is excellent in terms of both "feel & response at any speed including into curves. Steering has now a really nice degree of response at both high/low speed. Fit & finish just beautiful. Although car not broken in yet, Im getting 10.8L/100km (about 27 mpg) highway without using cruise-control @ 120kph (75 mph). Extra power available through all speeds. Seat comfort very good. Paint & exterior fit integrity excellent. Quiet interior. Cargo area large & usable. Audio/phone/car computer controls on steering wheel easy to learn. Heat/cool systems accurate. 5 speed transmission nice. Road feel is there, but not harsh.

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  Should of Been Better - 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Couldofbeenbetter - August 18 - 10:00 am

  I have had numerous problems with my car. Every electrical feature has had a problem. Got a new motor for my su roof, all light bulbs have been replaced several times within 3 years (never had to do that in my GMC), stahls, recieved new A/C, and the list goes on. I only had my car for 3 years and I had it serviced way too many times for a Mercedes. Customer Service was always good. But this year (2001)Mercedes did not live up to its reputation. Fun to drive but not worth the hassle of taking it in the shop every other month. Im too busy for that.

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  Black Beauty - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By jacenglish - August 18 - 10:00 am

  I love this car and it has given me a little taste of the good life. I now have been bitten by the Benz bug.

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  not so great - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By hcgridder - August 18 - 10:00 am

  Outstanding car, poor creature comforts or bad design. Excellent performance is one thing but overall is another. May not repurchase in2-3 years.

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  Money Pit - 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Kim - August 18 - 2:34 am

  I bought it in 2013, thinking I was getting a good deal, but it is old and now the car is starting to deteriorate quickly. I spent over $4,000 this past year on the AC, Motor Mounts, Transmission mounts, oil valve cover, O2 sensors, hoses. It hit 100,000 miles and the tune up is due. Even without labor and wholesale, the cost of 16 spark plugs and wires is $500! Now my suspension is going and its in the shop. Waiting for a revised estimate since they keep adding more parts. I would not buy a old Mercedes again. I spent another $3000 on the car in 2016. I loved the car, but it is a money pit.

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  4 door Porsche - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Rudy - August 17 - 10:43 pm

  I bought it as a birthday present for my wife knowing I would do some of the driving myself. She loves the looks and ride and I love the hotrod aspect. My partner has a 2003 BMW M3 and Ive driven it quit a few times. The C55 is just a quick and best of all it delivers the power much more smoothly. I highly recommend this car to anyone looking for a four door Porsche.

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  My first MB and Boy I love it ! - 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By jigs - August 17 - 1:23 pm

  Have owned fully loaded Acuras (TL and MDX), so not new to luxury features, but Boy Benz is a Benz. The drive, the zip, the styling, etc. - a class apart. One look at the BMW interiors and this baby and you will know what I am saying. And of-course the exterior is a killer which no other brand can compete. Just wish the tail portion was slightly lowered and the looks would have been perfect. A little disappointed with few standard luxury features missing in a car with this price tag - Rear camera/Park Assist, No Aux input, No ipod interface on the 7" NAVI/Audio screen. Bluetooth requires an external adapter which needs to be snapped on... other than that, love the car !

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  What a Mercedes-Benz! - 2007 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By desi12693 - August 17 - 5:00 am

  I love this MB. It is quiet and drives very smoothly as expected from a MB. I would suggest this car to anyone who wants a car that they will want to drive every day.

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  Poor visibility, poor acceleration - 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Doctor Bob - August 17 - 4:23 am

  The C-pillar (rear) is a big honker - which makes changing lanes and backing out of the driveway unsafe. No technology for showing cars in the blind spot. Acceleration is turbo-lagged. Ugh. Rear view camera lousy. Sound system great though.