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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  If only... - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By unmet_expectations - April 3 - 10:00 am

  This car is a dream to drive and a nightmare to own. The cars basic mechanical functions have been flawless but its electronics and audio system are so buggy I need to hire an exterminator. Car has been in shop regularly and MB can not yet give me an audio system that works. They dont know how to fix the problems, by their own admission. $72K total out the door and now I know everyone at the service departments birthdays, anniversaries and pets names. Thanks MB.

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  Go diesel! - 2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By AgWagon - April 2 - 8:06 am

  This is a great SUV all-around, but the diesel clinched it for me. It just makes so much sense for trucks and SUVs. Yes, its a hair louder than a gas engine under acceleration (which is excellent, by the way, because of all that torque). But cruising is very quiet, and theres absolutely no smoke or odor, ever. Bottom line: you get the space and utility you need at a thrifty 26 mpg. Plus, you can feel good about being green with the smaller carbon footprint. Really, youve got to try one.

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  First Mercedes (and wont be my last) - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Mountainman - March 30 - 1:56 pm

  My wife and I test drove a new one in 2001 and came away impressed but plumped for a (cheaper) Volvo Cross Country (since sold) instead. In the summer of 2008 I began searching for a clean used 2001-2003 E320 wagon I could park at our vacation home. Eventually I found a pre-CPO car in the rare Pewter/Oyster combination (only available in 2003) which I wasnt entirely sure about at first but have since grown to love. I have now owned the car for 9 months and Im very satisfied with my purchase and should I ever decide to sell I expect to recoup most of my (not considerable) outlay for this unexpected headturner.

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  2012 MB C250 Coupe (CPO) - 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By ezshift5 - March 17 - 8:39 pm

  6 months/2500 miles ago I drove home from the dealer. Using the CPO approach, my cost was 2/3 the original owners cost. Fuel efficiency (29 MPG since purchase), Reliability (Zero problems to date) and design (Both the exterior and the interior really appeal to this sailor. And that is part of my reason to buy this car. The other reason was CR ratings for the 2012 C250. IIRC, all red dots really got my attention.

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  Best Deal Out There - 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
  By Rocco Lemoncola - March 17 - 6:06 pm

  It was the new Volvo that stops iyself, the new Lexus that flies over traffic, or the old BMX X3. Drove them all and liked them all. The Benz was the best deal, hands down. Drives and feels like a Mercedes, which only a Benz feels like. Stereo, Navigation, Bluetooth all excellent. Highly recommend.

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  Two Thumbs Up - 2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Razorback - March 16 - 7:33 am

  Better quality than previous model years. When sitting in the drivers seat you feel safe and secure. Drives and handles exceptionaly well. Dials and gauges well thought out and positioned in the cabin so you can see them easily.

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  snow= no go - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By snow bound - March 16 - 2:00 am

  I love my CLK 500 but in the snow.. its a no go... make sure to realize this if you live in an area that receives lots of snow. 1 inch is one inch too many for the CLK-500.... other than that it is a great car with a terrific engine...

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  Get ready for headaches!!! - 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By steven e - March 16 - 2:00 am

  extremely frustrated . I have had annoying problems ever since buying. Passenger side mirror popped out when a child brushed with a knapsack. Had to have an entire new unit. new retaining clip would have worked. Pneumatic seat controls went with a $700 repair quote. Driving light bulb had to be replaced requiring a lift to get the car high enough to remove panels. Single windshield wiper is a royal pain. If there is not quite enough water on the window, the wiper skips across. A couple of hours of that will make you put a gun in your mouth!

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  Kevee - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Krystyna Z.Virkaitis - March 16 - 2:00 am

  It is "3S"- Solid - build,Safe - to drive,Strong - body. I like it very much and I feel I can depend on it on the road. Krystyna.

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  Front Legroom - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Ferraro300 - March 16 - 2:00 am

  The E320 is a well made and fun to drive car. It has more power than its E class predecessors, and the electronics are excellent