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:

• 

  Not designed for rear seat passengers - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Amy Nicora - December 7 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle after being involved in an SUV rollover accident. I purchased the vehicle solely because of the extensive safety features. However, after reading the manual I realized I could be doing more harm than good to my children who sit in the back seat. The manual states that children should not lean against the doors because of the airbages but most children sleep on the raod and they have no where else to rest their heads but on the door. Also, this vehicle has very poor rear leg room for adults as well as children. The rear air conditioner does not produce enough air to cool the rear passangers.

• 

  Fun to drive with some problems - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By C230 Sports Sedan - December 7 - 10:00 am

  As, I read in one of the reviews on this page, I also came across the leaking fluid in my garage on the first day beacuse of the defective seal, now I think I took another appointment with the dealer to check the problem with some noice on the right side front wheel. I never expected like this from Mercedes, I will never ever buy a Mercedes again.

• 

  Great ride for the money - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By rush - December 6 - 2:50 am

  Really a smooth, quite ride with good acceleration. Great turning radius - much better than the S60 Volvo awd. Also responds better to the road the the Volvo or the Jag x type. Controls are confusing, setting the dials requires a look at the manual each time. Like the visability from the drivers seat - judging the front end is easier with the mercedes emblem out front. Very few blind spots. AWD responds real well in the snow - stabilizes quite well.

• 

  Dreams do come True * - 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By star santa cruz - December 3 - 8:18 am

  This is an amazing machine the pick up and go and the style is the best Ive seen. I wish the gas milage was better, but other than that is my only complaint and I wanted Safety, comfort and Style, over a few extra bucks in the tank. I drive all day, and I really need everything comfortable and stylish so im happy on the road moving out and about in style. Lane assist, and blind spot assist , dis tronic, amazing features, not to mention M brace -a must have, oh, and a Bang and Olsen sound system to die for. Designo interior AMAZING. Its truly a Dream come true and really there is soooo much more I didnt even get to touch on. Test drive it, far better than the Lexus SUV.

• 

  Amazing value - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By kennygogo - December 2 - 11:40 pm

  Its a lot of car for the money. Im not just talking about bells and whistles features; there are plenty of those standard but Acura TL/CL probably includes more for the same price. Im talking about real substance that I never realized I was missing before I drove this car. Its hard to describe, but if this car doesnt blow you away on first drive, its probably not the right car for you.

• 

  2005 Mercedes-Benz E320 - A Nice Business Car - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By phil - December 2 - 5:10 pm

  As a 42 year marketing veteran who transports clients in his car, I needed a dependable business sedan that has an image matching my success and style. This cars performance and economics are there and its the passenger accomodations provide my clients with the comfort and pleasure to focus on their business decisions. This is my fourth Mercedes and we have been a great team!

• 

  So far cant complain - 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By JTCML - December 1 - 10:00 am

  So far so good after 20,000 miles. I leased the ML used with 46,000 miles included a 2 year Starmark warranty. The rate was so low I could not pass it up. I have only had it in once to correct the rear tailgate lock. I live 65 miles from the dealer so I buy my own filter and get the oil changed at Walmart with Mobil 1 for under $50. My thought is only use the dealer if you have to. I have the same complaints with the quirky layout of the cup holders and window switches. Overall it has been a pleasure to own and drive. Would consider getting another if the deal was right.

• 

  Black Opal E420 - 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By george michaels - December 1 - 10:00 am

  A real sleeper. comfortable and powerful auto. Cheaper to run than a 1999 Volvo S80

• 

  mechanical piece of junk - 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By harbor905 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  three recalls -- one of which could have allowed serious injury or death -- and now the drive train is gone -- 26,000 total highway miles. the dealership has been outstanding -- but i guess they would have to be with this piece of junk. German kwowhow...ill take japaneese quality.

• 

  Safety and flexibility at a price - 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By califguy - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Purchased as a flexible, sturdy, safe vehicle with a luxury image, we have been satisfied on those criteria. It is strongly-built with many safety features. The V6 seems undersized, but the smooth 5sp automatic works to give the ML adequate grunt. Fuel economy is low (16-17MPG). Ride is choppy, but improves with additional cargo or passengers. Interior is roomy, quiet and refined in Mercedes style, with a great seating position. I find the seats overly firm for long trips. 4 wheel traction and braking systems and high clearances make this a decent off road SUV. Interior pieces have broken, fixed under warranty. Dealer service is as expensive as feared.