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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  excellent car in every way - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Anne Alden - November 24 - 3:36 pm

  Ive leased a lot of high end cars and just recently bought a used 1999 E430 with 115K miles on it. Most people say dont buy a car with high miles, but it is when purchasing a used car I have found it is more than just miles, but maintenance, records, etc. This car was well maintained and taken to the dealer for repairs, garage kept. I love this car and had it checked out thoroughly by a mechanic before purchasing. I will never buy a new car again. This car is great to drive, beautiful and sophisticated. If you buy a used car, make sure to check it out thoroughly before purchasing so you dont have any surprises because the repairs are costly. Do your due diligence.

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  Love this car - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By srsmartin - November 24 - 7:03 am

  This cars average mileage for its first 51,000 miles is 30,6. On the highway I get 41+ at 70 mph. Add Mercedes legendary comfort and handling and this is a great car. I bought it used in 2009 from a dealer with a full MB warranty for $28 k. Ill never buy a new one again! It is my fourth Benz/first diesel, and I am now a diesel convert. Why drive anything else?

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  merc clk200 - 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By toot - November 23 - 5:03 pm

  wicked car with everything. it is brilliant man. check it out. it is the best.

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  Happy First Benz Owner - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By aahinton - November 23 - 1:20 pm

  The truth be know everyone knows me as Mr. Frugal. I have to say that my Mercedes-Benz C230 Sport Sedan is one of the best non-investment purchases that I have ever made. Besides the heads that turn every time I pass anyone, this vehicle is a real treat to own. It has good low-end torque, its braking is exellent, it handles nice, and gets great gas milage. Lets face it, when it comes to performance the Germans are tops. This car should be on you must test drive list. The only complaint I have, is that Im 61 and I could use a little more leg room, but other that that its perfect...and it fit into Mr. Frugals budget. This is a great car.

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  Awsome Offroad - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Scottsdale, AZ - November 23 - 2:00 am

  Shortly after purchasing this I got a lot of flack for buying a 4 wheel drive car that most people never take off- road. Living in the desert I quickly put them all to shame when I drove my ML through a wash that 2 lifted pick up trucks were currently stuck in and then proceded to do a 12 mile treck through the desert on a trail that was "Jeep Recomended". This SUV is the best SUV on the market. It has amazing off-road capabilities, a very comfortable interior, a powerful engine, and hardly any problems. But, what else would you expect from the vehicle the German military relies on.

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  AMG 2003 SL55 - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Bill Dritz - November 23 - 2:00 am

  An absolute riot to drive, but with all of the solidness we have all come to know in every Mercedes Benz car.

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  I LOVE IT!!! - 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By MEJO - November 22 - 10:00 am

  After going back and forth between the ML320 and the Lexus RX 300 I feel we made the best decision. The free maintance more than makes up for the price difference. It drives very smooth and easy to whip into parking spaces. We are now a Mercedes-Benz family for life.

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  Beautiful In All Ways - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Beth M. - November 20 - 2:40 pm

  I did my research before buying my ML350. I love it! Its beautiful and rides like a dream. Im on the road a lot and needed a comfortable ride. I am also tall, so it was important that there was great leg and head room. It runs great! Absolutely no complaints. The controls and gadgets inside are designed with a lot of thought to detail. Its a fun SUV to drive and I would recommend it above the competition any day. Drive one today if you are looking for beauty inside and out, you wont be sorry.

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  Amazing Car - 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By DevGroup - November 20 - 1:13 pm

  Truly the best modern car Ive ever owned. The CL550 was my choice after driving it, CL63 and 65 AMGs. I live in the city on the west coast, not near the Autobahn, hence the CL550 was plenty fast for me. Getting to my destination a second faster in an AMG did not seem worth the extra money. I opted for the AMG "Sports Package", the added styling is very nice. The Premium Pack II is a must, as all the gadgets make the car even more fun. The CL550 is a winner all the way around - great looking, powerful, safety, awesome ride, and its got a stealth low-key look, perfect for those who want quality and performance without having to tell the world you can afford a fairly pricey car...

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  LUV this car - 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Jimbo - November 18 - 8:10 pm

  Bought car 2 years ago with 13,000 miles on odometer. May have paid too much from dealer but what a great car! Knowing repair cost can be expensive I opted for extended warranty-waste of money so far. Great power, smooth ride, classic design, handles well. Probably be buried in this auto.