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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  New Benz Owner - 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Jopped - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Fine production performance vehicle though a little small and with the CLK 500 I am finding there is too much power for this car. 320s 220 hp is fine. The 302 hp of the 500 is too tempting all the time. Otherwise it is a beautiful auto, of fine engineering.

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  TRUE AUTOMOTIVE GENIUS - 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Mr.Tracy - January 16 - 2:00 am

  this is my seocnd S Class, and already I cant wait for my third. I drive a lot of miles and this is the right car to drive them in. I had to replace brakes and a had a problem with the air ride. I love this benz, its styling is sexy. It has a lot of sex appeal. Great car... (it is meant to be driven so drive it)

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  MB 63 AMG - 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By JSeguancia - January 15 - 9:36 pm

  Powerful car, handles beautifully. Drivers side mirror blocks some road visibility. Car "hugs" you as you drive. Very much worth the money.

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  A truly great automobile - 2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Rodney S. Cain - January 13 - 7:40 am

  This is my 4th new Mercedes. I have had diesel and gas models, I have had the SL models, and S models. They are a pleasure to own and to drive. Very reliable, and with their weight and ample power they make all roads,hills,and curves seem like an expressway. Best money I have ever spent on cars. Regardless of age, mileage, or type, I have enjoyed the car. Never got out of one and felt that I was tired of the drive. I oft times take it for a drive, just for the pleasure of driving it.

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  Love It!! - 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By sweetty - January 12 - 6:37 pm

  Just bought my 2011 used with only 6700 miles feels like a brand new car. I can honestly relate to people who say driving this car makes them feel like a better person. Ive owned BMW and Cadillac and this car turns just as many heads as my 7 series did.

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  Nu-Blu...more than a year in and Still Smiling! - 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By djefferson - January 11 - 10:46 pm

  I have had my 2012 ML 350 Bluetec without any issues for over a year near 20k miles. It has proven to be a tried/true work horse and I have no regrets. I have averaged an indicated 23 mpg during this period and on long Hwy seen about 29mpg driving a constant 80mph. Most of my commute is stop/go city w/limited fwy and it still gets 23-25 if you dont bury your foot to feel that strong 455ft lbs of torque. Im truly convinced that this is a great overall vehicle and am glad I chose this powertrain. FYI think about it..for about $1500 extra at purchase it holds its value advantage of $5000-9000 or more than the gas engine over the same ownership period! IMHO that is money in the bank .

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  Almost there - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By nice! - January 11 - 6:33 am

  I kept going back to the MB dealership to stare at it. Almost bought the 2006 BMW 3, which is frankly a better car. But the 230k just looked so great in Mars red, I couldnt resist. And while it has been the head- turner I thought it would be, ther are some issues. The paint chips very easily. The trunk lid has a wide gap and looks not fully closed at all times. The cruise control fob is badly located, and I keep trying to use it as for directional signal. The radio difficult to read in sunlight. The powerseats are sub standard. It already needs to have some work done on window insulation. Its slightly underpowered. All that being said, Id buy it again. Sexy outside, sleek inside and a relatively good value.

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  first but not the last - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By michael - January 9 - 1:13 am

  I test drove the 325 BMW and thought it was the car for me. The C230 has more style, more sex appeal, and has alot more bells and whistles than a 325 of the same price range. The engine pulls with gobs of torque, quick response steering and is built to last. It is my first Mercedes but wont be my last. I have had 37 cars over the past 20 years. It is one of the best purchases I have ever made. Buy it, you wont be disappointed.

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  2008 S550 4matic with Distronic plus - 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Ingo Rademacher - January 8 - 8:53 pm

  This is my second s class. have owned it for over 2 years and have done 42,000 miles problem free. cant compare ride to any other car thats trying to be in its class. feels super heavy and planted on the road. 90% FWY drive MPG life average is 20.6 and i see 23-25mpg on my morning drives @77mph. I use Distronic plus (Adaptive cruise control stop-go) 99% of the time. Takes some understanding and becomes easier to use with time. The car drives me to work stress free, all i do is steer. When I come through Malibu canyon late night, i put it in sport mode and use the steering wheel gear shifters. The car turns into a WRX for just long enough ;-) and the engine goes nuts.

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  Safety, Comfort, Style and Value - 2005 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Dr. Mike - January 7 - 4:16 pm

  I have bought two of these cars in the last few months. The first was for my wife. She loved it so much, she would not let me near it. I had to get one for myself. It is quiet and solid. Definite first class ride and feel, and a great value in comparison. You can easily negotiate 15 to 20% off MSRP, making it a great buy for something you will love to drive for many years to come. I do love the gadgets. Voice activated system, great navigation, satellite radio, phone, and all the extra stuff I still need to learn about. My only criticism is MB did away with the included maintenance and some of the cloth interior, i.e. visor, etc look a little chintzy on this flagship model. A great car!