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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  My First Benz Is Awesome! - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Benz-e - September 26 - 4:13 am

  I love my 1st Benz. AWD is great, leather is plush. I feel safe in it and its the perfect car for the canadian winters. 1 problem though. My sunroof cracked during a heavy rain storm [luckily I was in a partly covered parking stall] water dripped into my plush leather. MB should use stronger sunroof glass to prevent $1500 for a new sunroof glass.other wise I love It!

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  What a great ride! - 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By DenverDriver - September 24 - 1:03 pm

  Just got this car 2 weeks ago-- upgraded from my 2001 C240. What an upgrade! I love the look of the front and the two tone interior. Has decent acceleration, but at 5,800 feet where I live, I wish it was a bit more. Very tight and quiet, and comfortable seats. After 10 inches of snow recently, it maneuvered beautifully with the 4matic, but this sport version rides low and scraped over snow plow ridges in the street. I was hesitant about MB Tex upholstery, but I honestly cant tell the difference from the leather in my old car. This car does seem to have a rather large blind spot on the left. I find myself turning my head a lot more than before. So far I love this car!

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  Hesitating....... - 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By JWW - September 23 - 9:56 pm

  My first MB,an E350 Coupe; love the look, gas mileage and ride. 3 PROBS: #1-it unpredictably hesitates upon acceleration, at times leaving me in a dangerous position in traffic. Dealer updated the software, no improvement. Back in shop now (Oct 09), dealer has ordered new accelerator assemby; #2- Moon roof fabric liner has come loose, freezing the retractor; it has to be replaced; #3-blue tooth hands free has to be re-programmed frequently. Parts have to be ordered from Germany; still dont have the all weather floor mats I bought in July. Were not off to the best of starts....

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  Too many malfunctions - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By brad - September 23 - 8:00 pm

  A beautiful car inside and out, but too many malfunctions. The tires only get 10- 12,000 miles. Automatic transmission failed after 30,000. The front upper console light panel blew after 1500 miles. Passenger window motor and headrest motor have needed to be replaced. Moonroof cables needed to be replaced after 25,000. Good mpg (24-26), and very comfortable and quiet.

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  My first AMG - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By doorman - September 23 - 5:40 pm

  Bought my C55AMG from a friend and I am very happy that I did. Incredibly fun to drive, has a sports car feel with a European sedan look. It is a real sleeper except to those who know AMG, and I am surprised how many people know AMG. Ride is a bit stiff but the handling makes up for it. Im getting 22+mpg on the road and 19mpg around town if Im not on the gas.

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  Great buy-looks, and its a Benz - 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
  By grubstopper - September 22 - 5:03 am

  Just picked up a CLA-250. Only $33,500 including freight. Great performance, a comfortable ride, and unbelievable mpg. Im getting 35 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg around town. Driving on the interstate, people just stare at the car. Imagine heated seats, auto air, auto wipers, a deluxe sound system, seats that look/feel like leather without the extra cost. There is no high engine sound at 75 mph as some expert reviews claim. Who could believe a car that looks/feels like $50,000 to $60,000 for only $33,500. I love my Benz.

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  Good SUV - 2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By eric - September 21 - 9:13 am

  Bought this vehicle new and have been impressed with the handling and the fuel mileage. No one even guesses that this is a diesel when they are riding in it. One of the best features is the locomotive like pull while merging onto the interstate. Absolutely no problems finding diesel and with the large tank you cover a lot of distance. 27mpg in mixed driving.

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  Perfect Family Car For a GUY - 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By feelit - September 21 - 9:02 am

  This is a long, wide, sea monster of a car with a brutish grin. All it needs are fins! I wanted something (1) low to the ground, so it wouldnt tip over, (2) with all wheel drive to drive on ice, (3) great crash test scores, (4) a large trunk, (5) third row seats, and (6) was fun to drive. The R350 excelled in all of this. I was torn between the Odyssey Touring Elite and the R350 but decided to go with the R350 for the safety. The snob appeal certainly helped. Odysseys have been plagued, with airbag failures (either deploying when they shouldnt or failing to deploy in crashes). There are several complaints filed with the NHTSA regarding this for 2011 and 2012 alone. The R350 had none.

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  Love this SUV, but... - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Armani - September 21 - 4:06 am

  I bought this car 5 month ago. I was the second owner. The car was one of the top-notch options-equipped and one of the dream cars you wish to buy. I love this car for the way it handles the road and the luxury you barely find in American cars. Although it was the best car I rode so far, I am thinking of selling it for the sole reason of the gas mileage specially when it comes to $3.50 per gallon. One more thought, When you are driving a Mercedes SUV do not compare the feeling with an S class ride. Got it? It a tough rugged SUV with a Mercedes logo.

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  Two CLK Lemons in a row! - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Rob Kennedy - September 20 - 2:53 pm

  I leased a 2001 that had nothing but problems. They assured me that it was extremely rare. Sucker! I leased a 2004 on condition that if I had problems they would let me out of the lease. Sucker! Even worse than the first one, and guess what, they wont even return my phone calls about getting out of the lease. The car spent so much time in the shop getting the same things fixed that I dont bother any more. Seats dont work, windshield makes cracking sounds, gas tank doesnt fill properly, cruise control analog/digital readings dont match, brakes squeal, and much more. Never get this car! My wifes BMW has never had a day of trouble. When I finally ditch this lemon Im going BMW.