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:

• 

  The luxury sedan that withholds. - 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Dylan - December 22 - 2:40 pm

  Ive had the car for 10 years now and it still starts and runs strong everyday. Transmission seems to be going and needs to be looked at. Also I believe my AC compressor needs to be changed. Main vents have suddenly stopped working. I love this car. Ive put my heart into it. Also many miles. At 150,000 the car is still perfect for round town and parkway driving. Handles high speeds well and is a great car for any person. Also being a Mercedes it is a classy comfortable luxurious car.

• 

  Got to love it - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Autofan - December 18 - 9:10 pm

  14,000 miles and we still love it. It is a very quiet, extremly comfortable ride. It is almost sporty, and the the fuel economy averages 20 MPG mixed driving. When on the highway you can experience over 24 MPG. I like the 7 speed transmission with the shift knobs at the steering wheel, and overtaking is incredibly easy thanks to the V6 which never seems to run out of breath. It is very safe with a lot of standard safty features (Vehicle stability control, brake assist and more) and it is roomier than its outside will tell you. It drives and behaves like a much smaller car with all the advantages of a 4x4 SUV. I buy it again in a heartbeat. Great car.

• 

  Like it but... - 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By MB Driver - December 17 - 4:06 pm

  I purchased my 98 C230 Oct. 2006. It has 132,300 mi. It is a good running car. I had to have the transmission repaired at 52,000 mi. An electronic signal caused it to misfire, hence, major damage, $$$. No other significant failures. It doesnt have enough pickup initially, however, once it gets to running it is a smooth ride. AC is awesome in the summer and heater is right-on in the winter. Will definitely purchase another MB when this one is retired.

• 

  A fine all around car - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By 2006 mercedes-benz e - December 17 - 6:53 am

  We are getting exceptional mileage, 36- 38 on the road and 28-30 around town. Car is exceptionally comfortable, and my wife (who has a bad back) finds the seats the best she has ever been in. It is a great road car, with quiet good looks. We are extremely pleased with no complaints whatsoever.

• 

  My New E350 - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Dennis K ALbers - December 17 - 3:36 am

  I traded my C320 in for this new E350, and could not be more happy. Outstanding performance and comfort is great. The new larger engine still gives great mileage also. I would recommend this vehicle to all in that market.

• 

  Superior Safety, Excellent Economy, Comfort for Six. - 2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By rclasscdi - December 17 - 1:53 am

  I researched every vehicle that would seat 6 adults. The rear seats in most SUVs do not accommodate adults. In contrast, the R-class rear seats are perfectly comfortable and roomy for full-sized adults. The only vehicles that equal the R-class for access and comfort for 6 adults are minivans. The diesel engine is amazing. We get 28-30 mpg on trips. Power is plentiful, except from a dead stop, due to minor turbo lag. If you plan to dart away from each stop light, then go with the R500. Otherwise, you will love the CDI and the additional 10+ mpg. Ultimately I chose the R-class because it had the best combination of safety, luxury features and comfortable room for 6 adults.

• 

  Great Luxury Car - 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By DShluf - December 16 - 9:06 pm

  This is a terrific car which is priced right. It has beautiful outside styling and inside looks like a high- end luxury sedan. Roomy and comfortable front seats. The car is a lot of fun to drive with responsive handling and a quiet ride. Will use any excuse to drive, even running errands! I have it with Premium Package and Ipod which works well. Recommend the multimedia package in hindsight though I did not get it. Anyone looking for a sporty, luxury sedan at a fair price should consider this car.

• 

  Great Car - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By Scott Price - December 16 - 8:30 pm

  This car is really a great one. It has unbelievable power, it is extremely comfortable, the car handles like a sports car. The drive dynamics seats are very unique. The functionality of the dash is great. I was on a waiting list for nine months in order to obtain this car and it exceeded all of my expectations. I have owned high end Mercedes and BMWs in the past but this car is a very special and unique vehicle.

• 

  CLK 550 Barn Burner - 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By BjM - December 16 - 11:26 am

  My experience is only 1 month old, but if my initial response is any indication of the future, this is one fantastic vehicle. I have owned over 80 cars in a lifetime of ownership from BMW and Jag to Corvettes, Porsche etc.. My CLK 550 is one of, if not the best of the bunch out of the box! Very fast and very smooth. Handles incredibly well under all but ice and snow for which I have no experience whatsoever. It will stay in the garage for sure during these periods! Fit and finish is everything one can expect from a $60K vehicle.

• 

  Love My R-Class! - 2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By Cathy - December 14 - 12:20 am

  We traded in out 2004 Jeep GC Limited for the MB R-Class and I could not be happier! This vehicle handles beautifully and while the styling may not be for everyone, I find it very attractive. I was considering the Volvo SUV or Audi Q7 but fell in love once I test drove the MB (and got great incentives to buy, too). You dont see yourself coming and going in this car, which I like, plus it handles more like a car (dare I say sports car?) than most SUVs I have driven. The ride is comfortable, the interior is well-finished and luxurious, seating and leg room is ample, and cargo space is generous. There should be more standard options, considering the base price, though.