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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  good car - 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By mycar43 - November 24 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this car as an executive car with 6000. miles on it. I really like the car however it has been back to the dealer at least 4x since purchased. seat belts always hang when released this has caused many dents in my door jam from the kids closing the doors with the seat belt hanging in the door jam. many cracks in the interior panels which service replaced, glove compartment door broke, as well as problems with the drivers side window not working.

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  A big step up - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Ski2771 - November 24 - 10:00 am

  I just bought this car last Month and I love everything about it. I was an Audi man before this and this car leaves it in the dust as far as comfort, style and power. Only thing I am nervous about is the winter going from 4-wheel drive to 2-wheel drive should be interesting! Another thing that swayed me towards buying the Mercedes is that Mercedes offer an excellent extended warranty. Audi does NOT back their vehicles with an extended warranty. So Basically with Audi once the standard Warranty is up you are on your own unless you go to a third party to purchase and they don’t cover everything. Anyway I am rambling. I love the car.

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  A Pleasure to Drive - 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By Michael Ettinger - November 23 - 2:33 pm

  Traded my S500 4matic for the loaded GL 450 last December and havent looked back. This is my umpteenth Benz since 1984 and I have finally found the machine to replace my previous favorite, the last generation E350 4matic wagon. The GLs ride height and comfort are outstanding. Acceleration is there when needed. Fit and finish are first rate. In fact, it feels like you are riding a sedan. Everything is offered on this vehicle that you could want, except perhaps ventilated seating but this may be nitpicking. Love this car so much that I pat it on the hood ever time I pass it in my garage. A car you can bond with. Bravo, Mercedes!

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  True Luxury in an affordable package! - 2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Kris, L.A. - November 23 - 1:10 am

  We love the 3 setting memory seats and power head rests with height adjustment on both sides not just driver. The 7 speed auto transmission with 2 reverse gears is very smooth, giving 30-31mpg highway at 70-75mph on a cross country trip. The power rear sunshade and excellent climate control just seem to work better than in others cars. Surprisingly more leg room and baby seat room than we expected and more than in several much larger vehicles. Most of all, this is just a very quiet, very smooth, truly luxurious vehicle to drive for miles and miles.

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  Almost Perfect! - 2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By pdn - November 21 - 12:13 am

  The C280 has a distinctive and elegant appearance unlike any other car in its class. This car feels solid. Very pleasant to drive and extremely responsive. This car makes you want to drive. The C280 is the best car I have ever owned or driven. Period.

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  Wonderful - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By William - November 18 - 11:36 am

  This car has been a joy to drive. Although I have not had it for that long, I can tell you that Mercedes did not leave things out because it is one of their base models. Performance is also comparable to the BMW 325i, 325xi. I can promise you will have fun every day in this car.

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  The Secret MB -- the CL tops the List - 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By Hawes - November 18 - 10:00 am

  I have 4 MBs (03 SL-500, 02 ML500, 97 S- 420, and the CL 500. Have owned over 23 MBs since 1984. Traded an SL-430 (lemon) for the CL-500. Incredible auto. Balanced, incredible road car, gas mileage (S**ks), but you know that when you buy one. -- I actually prefer it to to the SL-500!! Great driver -- and the seats!!! Go for CL-3 package. Great build quality (for current Benzes, that is) and full of pleasant surprises (e.g., rear head rests raise and lower, great handling, UV resistant glass). This is a sleeper in the super luxury category.... Ive a position on a new Bentley GT and not sure I want to give up this car to get it. Its that good.

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  eye catcher - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By vic500sl - November 18 - 10:00 am

  fun and eye catcher sporty vehicle

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  WOW! - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By skyking4hire - November 18 - 10:00 am

  Ive had it for a month and have never owned a car that got so much attention, and to my surprise it is well deserved. I have never enjoyed driving this much, and the power is awesome-and I race cars competitively. . .

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  Poor Tires - 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Weak Tires - November 17 - 10:36 am

  Overall, this is a wonderful automobile-my 4th E Class Sedan. However, I have had a very bad experience with the Continental tires supplied in this sport model. I had 2 blowouts and a bubble in the sidewall of a third tire in 4 months of ownership, 5000 total miles. I admit that driving in the Northeast with potholes is stressful on the tires, but I have never had a blowout before. I suspect that these tires have a weak sidewall. Continental and Mercedes customer relations have been no help.I would recommend the luxury version with the smaller wheels in areas of the country with uneven roads.