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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  Theres something about them - 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By scovit - September 20 - 10:00 am

  There is just something special about owning a Mercedes and in this case, the CLK500. I can say this after having owned several BMW E39 5 Series, along with a variety of other top car makes. If you are looking for a car that is sporty, and classy this is the pick. If you are looking for a car with refinement, this is the pick. Smooth and powerful the CLK500 is a pleasure to drive. It just feels special. The quality, fit and finish is of the highest standard, exceeding BMW or Audi. Im getting 6 cylinder gas mileage from the V8 and I believe this is due to the 7 speed automatic now standard on the CLK500. Great car!

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  Mercedes rules!! - 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By MGZ - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I just bought a brand new 05 CLK320 in Opal Black Metallic with xenons, 6CD,sunroof, and heated seats. The car is superior to my 2002 Acura TL, the car it replaces, in almost every way. The cars V6 is strong and smooth, the interior is flawless in terms of space, design, and functionality. The Benz makes my 02 TL look like a 10 year old Civic, and the rims are beautiful. Overall, this changes my opinion that mercedes builds slow, big, and unreliable boxes, and its the first car Ive had that makes me smile EVERY time behind the wheel.

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  So far, so good - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By trg - September 20 - 10:00 am

  So far, so good- everything has been 100% reliable. Handling is outstanding. The 7 speed transmission is the best automatic that Ive seen. Economy is better than I expected (20+mpg).

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  Happy and Proud - 2007 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Pat B - September 19 - 8:10 am

  We bought the diesel variant of the ML for the MPG and torque ratings. We have been very happy with power and the MPG. It is a turbo diesel so I knew to expect the 1-2 second lag when hitting the gas but love the punch once the power hits. I have been lucky not to experience any reliability or odd little noise issues and am thank full for that.

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  Sweet ride - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By samphel - September 18 - 2:00 am

  Real fun to drive, Solid design, Excellent acceleration. Compared to the Acura RSX, the torque on the C230 crushes the Acura, hands down. Overall, a safe, and fun car to drive. Usually, safety and fun dont often go together but in this car, it just does.

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  New E class will impress - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By MBnewbie - September 18 - 2:00 am

  I have been driving the new E class three months. Very nice car. Frim yet luxurious ride. Teh 32o has plenty of horses for me buut some BMW converts may opt for the 500. The new exterior styling in nearly perfect. I really love it. That charcoal gray interior is tough to beat.

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  Great Vehicle - 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
  By Magic - September 17 - 2:50 pm

  I always dreamed of buying and owning a Benz and when I saw this beauty I had to get it. After driving it for three weeks now I have no regrets. It feels like a rugged luxury SUV yet drives like a race car. It takes off like a rocket but drives so smooth. Love everything about the car.

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  Great Stylish Ride - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Mercedes Buff - September 16 - 12:50 am

  After the initial bugs [SRS Airbag waring sensor issues, and electrionic key ignition excitering failure] were worked out after the first 10 months, the car has been a pure joy!

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  Delightful Improvements - 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By beechtiger - September 14 - 11:28 pm

  I was delighted with significant improvements in Mercedes GL450 in the last few years. The firm seats are comfortable for both short and long distance driving. As a previous Land Cruiser owner, I am mighy pleased with the third row seats in GL450 as compared to Land Cruiser. It was a very simple push-button to set up the third row seats.

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  The true family hauler! - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By gandeesinla - September 14 - 6:17 pm

  With room for seven and nearly 500 hundred horsepower this wagon delivers a safe and fun experience for up to seven passengers. This car is very expensive new but is a serious piece of engineering. Its luxurious and fun to drive and looks subdued but sporty. Its a sleeper....