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:

• 

  Initial impression - 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By C G 62 - April 14 - 5:06 pm

  Just picked up this beautiful Steel Gray coupe on Valentines day. We had ordered a BMW 328i xdrive sedan. Then Mercedes came out with a fantastic deal on this car. We canceled the 328 and grabbed this incredible car. This car has the ride of a true German luxury car. Far superior to the c300 and even better than the E350. Also you dont see one on every corner. Ive had 3 Infinitis ( G35 coupe, FX35, M35) This car has a far more refined driving experience( better ride, handling, transmission, engine and quietness). The HK stereo is excellent but a little more complicated than it needs to be. Rear seat is good for 2 adults up to 5 10" tall. Trunk has good usable space.

• 

  A German muscle car - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Elliott91 - April 11 - 6:33 am

  I thought it was time for a true sports car till I drove this hot rod. Ive had the car 18 months and it has performed flawlessly, except I wore the rear tires off at 4,500 miles, but I guess thats my fault. I really like the exclusivity of the AMG package. Not quite the nimble handling of a BMW, but a more refined package overall. Fit and finish are first rate. Mines Diamond Black and I get compliments on the color all the time. Its great to dust 350Zs Mustang GTs and other "quick" cars in my little sedan.

• 

  After four months of driving - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Jim Smith - April 10 - 11:53 am

  Have had car for four months. Averaging 33 MPH at highway speeds of 80. Around 26 in town driving. Only had one computer update on console system. No problems. Love car, the acceleration, braking, comfort of drive.

• 

  Black CLK 320 - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Conrad Christensen - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Styling of the black interior and exterior of our CLK coupe is what determined our buy, plus the good over all experience of the l998 E 320 sedan we turned in with excellent engine and ride performance. I do wish the doors had a more solid feel when shut on the CLK

• 

  Theyve Come A Long Way - 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By 2nd time around - April 10 - 2:00 am

  This is my second SL in 7 years and boy have they changed. The car is absolutely gorgeous and has all of the key luxury items that one would want. Aside from the sports package add on I did no options. Still the features, comfort, and styling are overwhelming. Its an excellent and awesome car.

• 

  My second SL500 in 2 years - 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By F. E. G. - April 9 - 2:16 am

  After driving a 2003 SL 500 for nearly 2 years,I was able to upgrade 2 years at an attractive year-end price. I thought it would be about the same car, but the improvements, especially the new 7 forward speed transmission, makes this the finest performing Benz in 5 that I have owned in the past several years. The driving and performance experience is exhilerating.

• 

  The new paradigm in the sport compact class - 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By 6sptl - April 6 - 2:19 pm

  Aside from being more a little more expensive than the competition. This car is extraordinary. The interior and exterior design are spectacular. Many have complained about the display, but I bet no one complains about it after driving it, its precisely where it needs to be and the right size to operate all the myriad of functions the car offers while still maintaining an eye on the road. Comfort is extraordinary in the front and excellent in the back as log as the rear passenger is 6 foot or less. Power is prodigious on the 400. Handling on sport and sport plus is also excellent. Burmese audio system is among the best in the market regardless of price.

• 

  What a car - 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Tom in Sarasota - April 6 - 4:14 am

  I have owned for a year. Chose over a Bentley. While the Bentley had a nicer outside style, The Mercedes is just a better car, has technology and is faster. I dont like the gas mileage, but I guess that is what you should expect for a sedan that does 0-60 in 3.0 seconds. The car actually steers itself ... stays in lanes ... stops in emergencies. I did get the upgraded interior and stereo ... and in hindsight, love the interior but could have passed on the stereo because it eats trunk space. No maintenance issues whatsoever! The biggest weakness is that it is so subtle. Wish is stood out a little more from the standard s550. By the way, the firmness of the ride over the standard s550 is what makes it for me. Great car, a little overpriced perhaps, but a better deal than some.

• 

  Perfect ! - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By lbrennan - April 5 - 10:00 am

  Owning a Mercedes Benz E-Class is an extraordinary experience! This car handles like no other car I have ever owned! The standard features alone are uncomparable to most other vehicles. The quickness of the V-8 is truly incredible. This car is a must buy!

• 

  Best Car to Purchase! - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Quinten - April 5 - 10:00 am

  This car speaks for itself. Nice horsepower, comfort, all the little toy gadgets to keep you occupied while enjoying everything in comfort. Favorite gadgets includes air climate control, controling radio volume/station selection/changing views to see on speedometer from the steering wheel. Also the sunscreen in the rearwindow as well as the cd player. The best part of it all is the ride. Dont let this car fool you its the greatest