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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  Dont want to drive a van or SUV? - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By Chuck J. - May 7 - 7:06 pm

  If you want all-wheel drive, room for 6, and cant picture yourself driving a van or SUV, theres no other choice. The Pacifica fits the bill, but its slow, underpowered and ugly. And, the rear seats on the Pacifica are not as easy to get into. Some reviewers are slamming the R500, because its a Mercedes that doesnt register with their sense of what a practical car is. Who off-roads or uses all that van cargo space? The positives: V-8 power!, unique sculpted styling, 1st class ride and appointments, not driving the same SUV or van that everybody else is driving. Did I mention blowing the doors off of most vehicles? When the suspension lowers at 70MPH, youll know sport touring!

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  The Perfect SUV - 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By carlover14 - May 7 - 10:00 am

  I just recently bought my daughter her first car. She wanted and SUV so I bought her an ML500. I knew it was safe and would run forever. Everybody I know who has owned one had never once taken it to the shop. She loves the looks and I like the comfort of knowing she is safe. The features are great and you get a lot for your money.

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  Perfectly balanced luxury vehicle - 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By westcoast - May 6 - 8:10 pm

  After over a year of researching, test driving and contemplating, finally chose a CPO MB to replace my older 98 MB E320. Compared Lexus ES350, GS350, A6, Acura TL, RL, Infiniti M35, G35 None of those vehicles came close to matching the REFINEMENT of even my old E320! Love the balance of luxury and sport, plus beautiful lines. Sound system is fantastic, Command is intuitive. 4-wheel has come in handy already.

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  Very solid vehicle - 1995 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By johnhon - May 5 - 4:26 am

  I bought this car with 117,000 mi and it now has 150,000 mi. This is my first MB after Volvos, Saabs, Fords. These cars are engineered very well but that means that everything that can go wrong or wear out has a sensor attached to it, and it can be frustrating troubleshooting problems. Im a DIYer and if you are looking for a used trouble free car do not buy a MB. This is a very solid car and excellent in the snow and gas mileage is very good. It also rides beautifully. Do not buy an E class after 1995, they went downhill after that year. If you do buy used try to get an independent mechanic because the stealerships are a real hassle. They think if you drive a MB you are rich.

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  A Great, but Expensive Ride - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Rick - May 5 - 12:56 am

  A tight, well balanced ride. Like most Mercedes, I had electrical problems and needed to have batteries replaced 4 times in the first 2 months I owned it. On the road it has good pickup with responsive and crisp steering. All inclusive with the fairly loaded configuration I specificed it set me back $76,000 and although Im happy with the car, I feel I should have walked out of the showroom with at least another $10K in my pocket. Overall, the powerful engine combined with excellent handling makes for an exhibiliating and road worthy experience.

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  Good not Great - 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By ageorge - May 4 - 12:15 pm

  We currently have a 2009 Mercedes Wagon with 15k miles on it. Also for context we have a Toyota mini-van and a Prius. This current wagon only seems special when you are on the highway. There it is in its element. Extremely smooth, quiet yet with the classic German feel. Other than price it isnt much different from the Toyotas. Overall build quality actually seems to be less than the Toyotas I am sad to say. We have had a number of minor problems with the electrical and mechanical systems. The CD player still doesnt work. The right windshield wiper stopped working etc. In general it seems as the though the car is several years behind the competitors in features.

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  Mikes CLK - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By the great one - May 4 - 10:00 am

  UNREAL CAR there is nothing better real class car

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  What a car! - 2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By GregT - May 3 - 7:40 am

  I bought this with 95k miles for about $14k. Now it has 135k. It has been the best car I have ever owned. Fast, safe (a deer hit me and almost no damage), quiet and comfortable. I love it. From what I have read that other Benz are not as good. One thing to beware of. This is a benz and they are not cheap to maintain.

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  Used SUV bargain - 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By renate - May 3 - 3:13 am

  Best used SUV bargain around, especially with Starmark warranty!

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  Impressed - 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By carbuff50 - May 2 - 11:44 pm

  Ive had three BMW 5 series, an "07 E-class, Jag XJ, etc. and must say this 2010 is the best so far. Beautiful design/classy and super comfortable drive/quality is excellent. This one is a keeper.