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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  I Love my S550! - 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Leon - March 5 - 5:26 am

  I love my S550. This automobile is as much fun to drive as it is to look at. The luxurious interior coupled with the ultra quietness of the interior make this car unlike any other. Handling and manuverability on and off the highway is powerful and responsive. The S550 represents the perfect balance between luxury and power.

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  MB E430 Sport - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By kelker7 - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I find the car to be very well put together and the performance has been a very pleasant surprise. The design of the E430 Sport has lines that distinguishes it from the other E-Class cars, but doesnt change the cars distinct E-Class looks.

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  Fun to drive - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Krystof - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought brand-new silver C 230 Sport Coupe in May 03. Ive driven over 11000 miles so far. Great fuel economy, good acceleration, and overall handling. Control panel is very well designed, and controls are easy to find.The list of standard safety features is really impressive. Overall this car ia a pleasure to drive, and its a real head turner, built with expected Mercedes Benz quality.

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  Perfect Solution - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Perfect Storm - March 4 - 5:13 pm

  This car offers a great ride coupled with outstanding fuel economy, good looks, and a social conscience. Sat, Nav, sound system are all top quality. Worth every penny!

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  C240 - 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By PK - March 4 - 10:00 am

  This automobile is worth every cent

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  Fantastic car - 2010 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By Paul - March 4 - 4:16 am

  Replaced GL450 (which I loved)with R350. Never realized driving would be so much fun. Mileage not great but 19 in town and 24 on the road with the second tankful! Handles very much like my wifes S500 and is just as comfortable and secure on the road. Without question its the best; most reliable, nicest appointed and well engineered Mercedes Ive had.

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  Love my little 320 - 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By brittany - March 4 - 4:00 am

  I absolutely love this car! I get a lot of compliments on it and heads do turn. I wouldve liked the newer body style but I cant complain with this one. I bought it used and its very clean.

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  I love the S class - 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By hihi456 - March 2 - 3:53 pm

  Not my first Mercedes, and this has definitely been the best one that I have purshased so far, not for its performance, but for its style and comfort. Its great

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  Only a Mercedes will do! - 2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Maxi - March 2 - 11:26 am

  I just brought a 2000 CLK & I feel like I brought a brand new convertible. I have a ML320 SUV but wanted a 2nd car & have looked at other brand new 08 convertibles that I could have brought for a little more money, however, I would not have gotten the same satisfaction I get out of driving & looking at my Mercedes. Its a head turner everywhere I go. I am the envy of all my friends. I told them that when I turned 50 I was going to get a Mercedes convertible. They laughed because they dont realize that even an older Mercedes is always a classic & you can get them in mint condition. "OLordy thank you for buying me another Mercedes Benz.

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  Its a sweet ride, baby - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By r.e.achin md - March 1 - 8:23 pm

  This is my third Mercedes vehicle. I have driven a Toyota, a Mitsubishi and 2 Jeeps... so far I have been impressed by the Mercedes quality. I live in a 4 season climate, and whatever the season is, its a sweet ride!