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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  Great Car - 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By FearlessPussycat - July 16 - 2:00 am

  After over four years and mixed city/ highway driving, this is a terrific car. I leased it for three years and bought it after the lease was up. I live in an area with terrible streets, terrible drivers and four seasons. The car has held up very well--no rattles or squeeks. The turning radius is amazing and the car does everything well - stop, go and turn!

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  Great Driving Experience - 2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Weldone99 - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Great car, replace a sensor in 35000 miles,brake linings still good, will replace tires at 42000 miles. Wish they would supply michelin rather than continental.Will buy another this Spring.

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  Solid Performance - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By TD199 - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Purchased a 2002 C320 Wagon off of Ebay. The car has a solid; heavy ride with great performance. Sports Car performance with sedan ride is the best way to describe. Bose Sound is awesome along with being a very tight, quiet automobile.

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  Love its many new functions . - 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By Thuy Nguyen - July 13 - 6:43 pm

  As we did , there are many sources from online to do review , ask friends ....

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  GREAT RIDE/EXPENSIVE FIX - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By FUN CAR - July 13 - 9:53 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR. I HAVE HAD IT NOW FOR 4 MONTHS AND STILL LOVE DRIVING IT. I GOT MINE WITH EVERY OPTION AVAILABLE AND AM GLAD I DID. THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM SETS OFF THE ALUMINUM IN THE INTERIOR JUST RIGHT. THE INTEGRATED PHONE IS GREAT ON ROAD TRIPS, OR JUST WHEN YOU NEED TO PAY ATTENTION. THE BI-XENON LIGHTS WERE WELL WORTH THE MONEY. 10 OUT OF 10

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  Worth Every Penny - 2004 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
  By E F - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Interior is wonderful with plenty of room for big drivers. Engine and drivetrain are incredible, with plenty of power. Worth every penny.

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  My previous car was a BMW 325 conv. - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By mb user - July 11 - 2:00 am

  but I dont miss it. The CLK convertible is better (but the 325 cheaper ;-). I actually like the fact that it comes with casssette as standard, so I can connect my ipod (which wasnt possible in the 325). If there is anything I dont like, then it is the trunk, apparently there is no way of closing it without touching the car on the outside ... Next time I would pay for the "elecronic trunk closer" option (490$)

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  pasion for quality - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By don govan - July 11 - 2:00 am

  TO DATE I HAVE LOGGED 2000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN TOTALLY IMPRESSED WITH THE HANDLING OF MY CL55. THERE IS NO HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING AT ANY SPEED AS THE SUPER-CHARGED ENGINE ANSWERS INSTANTLY. IT SEEMS THAT EVERY ASPECT OF THE CAR IS DESIGNED TO WORK HOMOGENIOUSLY. EX. THE BRAKING EXUDES CONFIDENCE, THE CORNERING HOLDS EFFORTLESSLY, THE SEATS ADJUST PERFECTLY TO MY SIZE ETC.

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  2004 ML350 - 2004 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By mamnj - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Only a month old and has seen 2 legitimate snow/ice storms. Handling is phenomenal. If youre looking for a cushy luxury ride, this SUV is not for you. Its a true german vehicle.

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  Amazing - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Suckerman - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Beautiful auto, it is the best car i have bought this year. And it is twice as comfortable as my Jaguar.