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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  Safety, handling & value - 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By thechums - July 8 - 10:00 am

  I suppose the best way to think of an ML is that its the least "Mercedes" Mercedes. A lower quality fit and finish is an obvious compromise in getting the price to the mid $30s. First, the ML is safer than most SUVs because of superb braking, multiple airbags (my 2000 ML has six), ESP (electronic stability program), and very good handling. The cabin offers fewer frills, but really only fails in the all important cup holder department. Operationally, the biggest improvement I can think of would be a larger gas tank for a little better range and fewer fill ups.

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  Wouldnt Trade It For The World - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By G_2 - July 8 - 10:00 am

  The New E class is by far, the finest sedan I have experienced. Roomy, comfortable, and smooth! If you havent, DRIVE IT!

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  R-Class Review - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By Robby Wiemer - July 7 - 3:33 pm

  Fun to drive, has all of the features needed for a large family. Very luxurious interior.

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  Near automotive perfection - 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Jerry - July 6 - 4:36 pm

  I say "near" because the audio and nav system perform and look like equipment several generations old. Programming involves unnecessary steps, the screen is bland with minimal color levels, and it completely washes out in sunlight which obviously is a detriment in a convertible. The system wont even provide street labeling unless fully zoomed in to max detail. The radio functions are only average and sound is mediocre. The system needs more speakers with improved sub woofers and tweeters. To make up for these deficiencies the interior and exterior is a work of art. Coupled with the increased power and improved handling its near automotive nirvana on a warm Sunday top down drive.

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  Carolyns comments - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By carolyn - July 6 - 12:56 pm

  I bought my new 2006 E350 4 dr sedan last month so its hardly a relationship as of yet. I was attracted immediately to the body styling and the roomy interior without looking bulky. The trunk is spacious and can fit five pieces of luggage comfortably. I am a little disappointed with the sound system since it vibrates a little when you crank it up. The gas mileage has been fair but not what the manufactured promissed. The traction on this car is amazing as I drive a mountain road daily. It handles almost like a sports car with ride as smooth as cream. All bumps are cushioned and with the windows closed and driving around 80 its just me and my new car.

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  Best looking car on the road and more - 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By go-n-fly - July 6 - 12:53 am

  Such a great looking car. Can only imagine what the CLS63 must be like. Somehow Im getting 22-24 MPG on the highway. Both good and bad, it feels like a luxury car and not a sportscar.

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  Great Large Car ! - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By royalpar1 - July 5 - 11:36 pm

  Although this is a true crossover from mini van to suv, it is large, drives great, and is beautiful. Dealer incentives for a 2006 are hard to beat. Best car for the money in its class

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  The Ultimate High Performance Coupe - 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By steebie1044 - July 5 - 7:58 pm

  Ive owned a number of Mercedes over the years, including the 560SL, 450SE Sedan, E350 Coupe, CL55, S430, E350 sedan, and the GL450. When I began shopping for another Mercedes, I researched the 2012 CL550 and concluded this was to be my next Mercedes. I found a Diamond White 2012 CL550 with Sahara Beige Premium Leather interior, and truly fully equipped with an MSRP of $127,000. The base CL550 MSRP is $114,000. I test drove the car and absolutely fell in love with the vehicle from a luxury and Performance perspective. Smooth 7 speed transmission and powered by a Twin Turbo Charged 427 HP engine. I compared this CL with a 2002 CL55 I owned. The performance of the 2012 was the best.

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  Fun to drive but get ready to $$$ - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By oneill ki - July 5 - 4:38 pm

  I bought my 2002 c230 used with 70xxx miles and have had nothing but problems heres a list: 1.water pump went out and car overheated costing $1400. 2. Sun shade/ roof wont open or close $1200. Rear Diff seal/ leakage in suspension causing rear tires to wear rapidly $1400. Drivers window will not go up or down (still broken). Horn stopped working (still broken) Seats have a short in wire causing battery to die (still broken). On the flip side the car is fast and fun to drive. The people at Mercedes actually know my face when I walk in for repairs. I almost wanted to invite them to my family Christmas party since Im there so often weve built a close friendship.

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  Good car! C280 sport - 1996 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By JOHN MOORE - July 3 - 3:20 pm

  Having owned this vehicle for a couple of years I am still impressed by the build quality and the smoothness of the drive. I am constantly told that the W202 series is of a superior build quality then the newer mercedes - my friend owns a newer Mercerdes and has been back to the dealer 5 times in 6 months so there might be some truth in this! I was worried about horror stories regarding the wiring loom cracking or the wiper motor failing (£800 for a wiper motor is extortionate!) but the only problem I have had was a wrongly diagnosed air flow sensor which transpired to be a loose wire on the spark plug coil! It drives like new dspite 125,000 miles. Only negative is rear legroom is limited.