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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  Big Bang forn the Buck - 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Paul - November 23 - 7:33 pm

  A very well designed vehicle.The quality of workmanship is outstanding and there is considerably more room inside than in the BMW 3 Series.A very luxurious ride and the car handles extremely well.7 speed automatic is excellent. This car is a very good value.

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  Tires leaking air - AMG wheels - 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By MaryF - November 22 - 3:16 pm

  First I would like to say that I love this vehicle. However, I am having one tremendous problem. My tires are leaking air randomly, about every 2 to 3 weeks, to the point of being flat. I replaced the tires 18 months ago but I am still having this problem even more often. Ive taken the car to the tire dealer at least half a dozen times and he has sealed the rims but told me the chrome on the AMG rims is bubbling inside the bead rim and is causing the leaks. I dont know if he is just trying to sell me new rims or what the deal is. Anyone else having this problem?

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  Handles like a car, not an SUV. - 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By Jerry - November 21 - 6:23 pm

  Outstanding build quality and looks. This SUV has no body roll around high speed turns which is amazing for a vehicle of this weight. It really does stay glued to the road. Love the new chromed out roof racks, fog lights and skid plates that now come standard. Consider 3 zone climate when ordering. Standard seats are outstanding so dont waste money on leather. Premium 1 package is perfect.

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  Good Buy - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By Joy M. - November 21 - 5:53 am

  This is my MB and I am just loving every bit of it. This machine is comfortable and have ample of room inside to fit 6 Adults to sit comfortably. The gas mileage is very good considering the fact that it is V8. The most comfortable part of this vehicle is that it was very minimal engine noise and the drive (specially in the freeway)is very smooth and comfortable.

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  I don;t think so in the winter - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By plp - November 19 - 2:00 am

  great, fun car to drive 0 to 60 min no time.. but in the snow its a no go and any inclement weather you better find another "winter" vehicle

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  A great car - 2004 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By winwillme - November 19 - 2:00 am

  This car is probally the best i have ever owned. Everything about it is exceptional. The only downside is that is is always in the shop for little things like the power seats broke and the runningboard lights did not work and a hose for the radiator broke. All minor things but it hapens alot. Luckly mercedes has exelent service and the all the problems were covered by the warenty.

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  One awesome car!! - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Roam - November 19 - 2:00 am

  I have had BMW, Porsche, Lexus, and other Mercedes in the past. My E500 Sport is almost all those cars combined into one. It is sporty, comfortable, and classy. The power is simply smooth and strong. I love this Mercedes.

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  Great city & country sports car feel - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Fred Dorfman - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Excellent ride, great handling, lots of room. We are waiting for our new leased one to arrive. It handles well, is demure, but can really handle speed and curves.

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  Love in it! - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Love in it! - November 19 - 2:00 am

  I am loving it & it drives beautifully. The only thing they could improve is the COMMAND system, I think a touch screen would be a lot easier and safer.

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  After a month - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By J. Clark - November 19 - 2:00 am

  The car is well built with great safty features, great style, and great options (if youre willing to pay for them). The only problem I am having is with the braking system. Every time you let off the brakes a computer humming sound happens for a couple of seconds. Mercedes says that is normal. The problem is sometimes the humming is so bad that it rattles the dash. Will soon take in to service for a second time. I have noticed the computer system sometimes misreads but hopefully very minor and not too often. Other than that it is a great car.