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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  A Great Little SUV - 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
  By Ron S. - January 15 - 6:50 pm

  Ive had my GLK 350 a week now, and I love it--particularly the styling and comfortable ride and the vault-like build quality. It doesnt look like every other compact SUV on the road. It has a very masculine look (unlike the melted soap bar profile of so many smaller SUVs).

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  resale value went byby - 1999 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By white_de - January 14 - 2:00 am

  extremely solid sedan butno dancer in the tulips like earlier MB. Must ignore Dealer on 30-32psi in tires, they have a max of 44 and 40-42 makes it handle much much better. idiots. hate the painted bumpers. exceptional power except when loaded heavy. No real reason to have the eight cylinder unless carrying a band of gypsies on every trip. Very poor ergos for any activities other than transport...do not expect cup holder to function- designed by committee of German engineers with tooooo much time on their hands. KISS! More solid than Lexus430 but not as refined. More elegant than 740 but nowhere as fun to drive

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  First time Benz owner - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Watzup - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I am a first time buyer of MB. I was a bit disappointed with the interior quality of the C320. The cupholder was not design as user friendly. Climate control is cumbersome to use to turn off and control the temp. Driver sit made too much noise with cheap plastics. Key still doesnt work evenafter two replacements. Overall it is too pricey for inferior quality to Acura or Lexus.

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  Somewhat disappointing - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By kala - January 12 - 5:40 am

  I leased it 3 years ago and it was my first MB. Initially it was a fun car to drive. With the Kompressor engine I was zipping around and not spending a lot on gas. But as soon as it started to snow it was terrible. Ive driven rear-wheel drives in the snow before, but the torque was too much and I was spinning all over the place. Also, the A/C and heat is so weak, thankfully I had the heated seats. Im turning it in in 3 weeks and getting a C280 4Matic. Also, the dealer told me MB stopped making the C230 coupes...I wonder why...

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  07 C230 Sport - Great little car - 2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Maccam26 - January 11 - 9:33 pm

  Love this machine, traded my 99 C280 for it which had 130,000 miles and had been bullet proof. This one I got certified pre-owned with 20,000 miles. Its been excellent so far. Only thing I would have liked 60/40 split rear seat and bigger better room for entering the car for rear seat passengers and coming from the C280 3L engine, I did feel the small lack of oumph the 20hp or so drop made to the 2.5L... other that that, sweet car. Pros are the suspension, seats, great 7 spd auto transmission and silky smooth ride, not too rough for type of wheels. Fit and Finish is still top- notch. Paint is ok but it does have some orange peel..car is black so LIQUID GLASS is only way to polish!!

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  Serenity Now - 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By yossarian7 - January 11 - 7:38 pm

  I recently traded in a 2011 BMW 535ix, which I found to be one of the most uncomfortable cars I have ever owned, on a 2013 S550, which is the most comfortable car I have ever owned. The car is absolute serenity to drive. No wind noise; no engine noise; no tire noise. The V8 is 430hp/520lb-ft of pure butter. Sure, the car is big and heavy, but it carries its heft very well and it does not claim to be the ultimate driving machine (whereas the BMW did, and it was far from it). The S550s adaptive air suspension is more butter, and it keeps the car stable and level, even during spirited driving.

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  Ultimate Driving Machine - 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Quarterbacking - January 10 - 10:03 am

  I still own the S55 AMG I purchased in 2001. I use it as a pleasure vehicle (Driven 1 to 2 times per week), as a partially driven car over the last 10 years it has been a pretty decent vehicle w/ its share of problems. Overall, its great vehicle and a huge conversation piece.

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  Excellent Overall - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By vinnie - January 9 - 11:43 am

  Had car for 10 months. Had BMW5. Now BMW7 and X5. Considered BMW3 but chose this car. Much smoother ride than BMW3. Much quieter than BMW3. 95% of time Im not cornering the hell out of the car when BMW3 would have an edge so why compromise for a bumpy and noisy BMW3 ride? Nothings for free, but this car has exceptional balance of acceleration at all speeds. Compressor w/ a small engine but great gas mileage of 22 to 30. Has full safety features and feels that way too. MUST get full leather and full power seats. Cloth is cheap. Exterior rear styling is a bit quirky. Twice in shop for water coolant level detection - tolerable. Mars red color is totally special. One of my favorite cars ever.

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  Saved my ass - 1999 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By pueblo - January 9 - 10:00 am

  No better vehicle than one that gets you through a 16 inch snow storm, 8 inch ice storm, 24 hour sleet storm through 4 states in 16 hours on old tires and yet is 4 years old without a mishap. All the while watching drivers get in all manner of accidents in states that have no clue how to deal with inclement weather. WV actually had pick-up trucks with plows on I-79!

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  Sad state of MB - 2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Steve - January 6 - 4:20 am

  I bought E430 new and it was running well for about two years. Starting in 3rd years, it was having all sorts of problems. CD changer wont work, fuel gauge went out, AC is leaking, transmission is leaking, seat adjuster wont work, plus many more. This will be my last MB and probably my last German made car.