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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  Our New Wagon - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By mbz guy - March 22 - 10:00 am

  The Car is great....with gas prices soaring near $3.00 per gallon, we traded in our Lincoln Navigator for a more fuel efficient family car. The kids love sitting in rear facing back seat and the car is fun to drive and beautiful to look at. With added 17 inch factory wheels, tinted windows and in brilliant silver, it is a head turner...especially at the gas station

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  OUR SL55AMG - 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By jp604 - March 22 - 10:00 am

  I have had every make of car there is over the years. Ferrari, BMW,Mercedes, Porsche.etc., but nothing as fun to drive as this SL55AMG. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give it a 12. Solid, incredibly quick, comfortable, yet a cat on the road.I have yet to find a single thing to dislike. Great job Mercedes, keep the new innovations coming.

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  I love my MB - 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By waltercole - March 21 - 5:32 pm

  I have owned this car for 11 years and have never had the kind of problems others mention. The tires and brakes last as well as my Volvos have. Repairs are quite expensive but I go to a MB specialist who is honest and reliable for considerably less than MB dealers. I do drive intelligently and take prope care of the car. 120,000 miles so far and many more to go.

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  Needs a New Stereo System - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By M Owens - March 20 - 10:00 am

  The car is enjoyable to drive. It responds well to the throttle. Nice size for carrying groceries and making trips to the beach. Controls are fairly easy to use. Good commuter car.

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  Won me back from BMW - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By donl - March 20 - 10:00 am

  This car draws many looks from people in a variety of age groups. The engine is silky smooth; the interior is like a glove; the driver seat is very comfortable and interior layout very intuitive. My only complaint is that the cruise control is not part of the steering wheel.

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  Unlike any other - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By tiefenem - March 19 - 3:53 pm

  Well rounded vehicle, lots of fun to drive, love the option of being able to select a sport mode or comfort mode. Panorama roof is a hit with the family. Trim work is excellent, guages, controls easy to use.

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  Frustrated long time MB owner! - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Frank Wendt - March 19 - 7:53 am

  Three major problems resulting in overnite service: Emergency brake release came completely out of dashboard; could not move vehicle. Harness for seatbags defective and had to be replaced. Starter key went "dead" after 17,000 mi. Could not reset clock for daylight time, nor could three dealer service personnel! Confusing option "sets" on steering wheel. etc etc

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  Its Love - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By benzy - March 18 - 10:00 am

  I literally walked into the dealer to pick up a new 2004 but someone got mine! So a week later I got a new 2005 right off the truck. Wow, I love this car and the interior and performance updates that seem minor on paper make for a completely different ride. Just a great package. Refined, responsible, fun, comfortable, zippy. I drove the BMW 3 series and the Audi A4 but just fell in love with this one right away. Dont be consumed by Mercedes shy reviewers that focus on too many specs. My advice. Drive it. Although, they have discontinued the Coupe (I was lucky to get the 2005) Try the sedan. Even Dad is impressed... He has a 500 S Class - Were always competing!

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  E320 4Matic - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Doug Pruitt - March 17 - 5:33 am

  Replaced a Ford Expedition with a CLK 430 then an E320. Huge improvement in quality, ride, fuel economy, etc.

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  Best car I owned so far! - 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By MF - March 16 - 3:53 pm

  In 2004 I traded a Lexus RX for a 2005 E320. That E320 was the best car I had so far from a driving experience perspective, but its gadgets were much inferior compared with Lexus. Last month, I traded my E320 for a new E550 (Package 2 plus Parktronic, Panorama roof & Dynamic Seats). What a car!!! I was initially skeptical with the reviews about the improved E550 handling and comfort. But that is true: The V8 is very smooth and responsive. Better handling. Good mileage (for a V8). My wife told me the car feels so quiet it seems it is 40mph at 70mph (great 7 speed auto transmission).