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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  So far so good - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By William - January 25 - 7:46 pm

  Traded an 03 E320 for this 06 E320 CDI. The diesel is so quiet you dont know its there. Plenty of power and lots of nice features like nav system and Harmon-Kardon radio, rear sunshade. Better cupholder/center console layout than the 03. Only had it for two weeks but well pleased thus far.

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  Had to downsize - 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By keoki - January 25 - 5:50 pm

  Previously owned an "S" class and had to downsize. The feel is still MB! Solid as a rock and good handling to boot. I cant figure out why anyone would buy a vehicle that "looks" like a Benz, when you can actually own one without breaking the bank. I purchased this vehicle used but in mint condition. I had the finish "clay- barred" by a local detail shop and the finish looks like a mirror. If you are not a lead foot (easy to do) you will get 30mpg. When you drive this vehicle hard, it acts like it really wants to rock hard! This is a keeper.

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  The Jekel and Hyde of sports cars - 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By William Edwards - January 24 - 11:26 pm

  Due to its active suspension (ABC) it can cruise like a S-class but it stiffens up for almost no lean in the fun twistees and corners-Amazing! The transmission senses when you need punch and adjusts to your driving style by the second-a great feature since your driving reactions can be so dynamic in todays crazy traffic. You can adjust the way the car handles from comfort to sport (including ride height) with a push of a button. The 7 speed auto- transmission can also be changed from comfort to sport for that all-out sports car performance. Great V8 engine- very smooth but has incredible low range torque and all the power you might want.

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  Waited nine month and its been worth it - 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By amhjms - January 24 - 10:40 pm

  Im a bit of a car freak and after carefully considering the options (Q7, X5, Lexus) decided to wait for the newly designed Benz. Wow, it took a long time, at least partially due to the options we elected. We picked up the car on Tuesday and it is beautiful. We did Arctic White with the special order Black dash/ carpet/headliner with Almond seats and door accents. We also ordered matte wood. It drives like a dream, is very comfortable and has outstanding build quality. We love it and I really believe this one will keep us happy for the decade we plan to keep it.

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  Fun in the Sun - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By John Sweeney - January 24 - 12:56 pm

  Ive owned my 2004 CLK cabriolet since new and use it for trips and top down driving. Its not my daily driver. I like the pickup in sport mode, the ride free of cowl shake and the looks with the top down. Luggage space is sparse unless the top is up. The optional AMG seating with more thigh and back support, heating and cooling and more controls is a must for tall drivers. Overall, I am very satisfied and have had zero defects or recalls.

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  in the shop every other week - 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By David - January 24 - 4:00 am

  I can look back and guarantee on paper my GL goes in the shop almost every other week, I am very disappointed comparing this car to our Lexus, the Lexus has been in the shop at 30k for the key fob not working and to clean the ac filter due to a smell. AS for the GL we have been in the shop all the time for brakes, sensors, squealing brakes oil leak, rear shock for rear door was not working, transmission trouble, squeaking window, right front air shock had to be replaced, the shock is still making noises when you go over a speed bump, bad design glove box that cant store much and always gets jammed, very cheap center wheel caps that need replacing all the time, so many sensors you will be in the shop getting them replaced and while you are there you might as well do your high price service that can run up to 1200.00. Yes 1200.00 and that is with out getting anything fixed. The service is to keep your car under the MB warranty and if you dont decline the service it will void the warranty. I feel like I keep the dealership lights on while they look for there next person that is as uneducated as I was when i bought this big rolling pieces of junk. When i pull up next to some one with a Mercedes I feel bad for them. I know this for a fact, Most people that work for the Mercedes dealership Don"t drive Mercedes, but if they do they usually are driving it for free. One mechanic stated to me that he likes the MB but due to the high price of parts he stays away. If you buy a Mercedes or a GL and you feel like nothing is going your way remember I told you so.

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  WORLDS BEST CAR - 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
  By G500 Enthusiast - January 24 - 2:00 am

  This is the nicest car ever made. Its so beautiful and runs so smoothly. You get looks from everyone and you feel so supreme!

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  Great Car! - 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By CL Lover - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Best car Ive ever owned. Anyone that critizes this car doesnt really own one. Nearly perfect!

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  clk da bomb - 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By jeepercreeper2 - January 24 - 2:00 am

  excellent vehicle. great interior features and beautiful exterior. amazing ride. best car i have ever riden in.

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  1997 Mercedes SL500 with 38,000 miles on - 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Robert T - January 23 - 7:30 pm

  This car is solidly built, handles extremely well, and is a pleasure to drive. The design is one of understated elegance. Mine has very low mileage for its age and all original paint with no mechanical problems. These are a bargain if you get one without issues as new they cost $89,000 w/o options. The r129 type from the pre-Chrysler era is desirable. The mileage is what one ought to expect from a two ton car driven with a big V-8; if you are having this much fun is has to cost a little money! Skip the non-factory wheels as they really do nothing for day-to-day performance.