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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  The worst benz ever made - 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By oiul - July 6 - 10:00 am

  This car is the worst peice of junk that Mercedes ever made. So far it only has to things going for it the Mercedes badge and the slick exterior styling. I should have got a lexus I would have paid less and still have luxury.

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  The Best - 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By John - July 5 - 10:30 am

  Truly fabulous automobile. With the top down it is awesome! There is no other convertible that I would consider in this price range.

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  This car is absolutely gerogeous! - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By bafm - July 3 - 10:00 am

  I traded my 2002 CLK320 Cab for this care. It is fast, far more comfy for rear seat pasengers and just a delight to drive.

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  EXCELENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By george lopez - July 3 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR

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  DREAM CAR - 1995 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By JRM1972 - July 3 - 10:00 am

  just bought the car 2 days ago..would not sell it for a million dollars..man I love this car..It is everything I was hoping it would be and then some.....anyone looking at one..just know it is not a race car...you really will love yourself so much for buying this car...this is worth the money..

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  The best Ive ever owned - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By gmac72 - July 3 - 10:00 am

  The E 320 is by far the best auto I have ever owned. Stylish fun to drive and even more importantly dependable. This car has not had a problem since day one. I am also getting over 20 miles to the gallon 22 to be exact which considering the cars performance is great!

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  Poor design - 2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By m kapinos - July 3 - 1:50 am

  I wanted the nav and satellite radio, but my wife didnt care for the satellite radio. It has controls for it but they are fake! Why put controls in someting if it is never going to do anything? You cant add it,only a factory installed option thats stupid! The phone is the same but you can add it for $2000. Also I agree with everyone the memory seat should just be a push button you should not have to hold it!

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  All on How You Take Care - 1999 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By M. Torres - July 2 - 9:56 pm

  Got the "Light Truck" 9 months ago. It came with dealer-installed running boards,full grille gaurds with PIAA foglights. Driving is always a pleasure in wintertime. Although quality is literally plastic moldings for the dash, they suit well enough for the price. Not the quality instituted in German-built facilities. Many speak of cars falling apart on them. If you dont follow the maintainence that Mercedes asks for the vehicle of course itll fall apart. Service the vehicle every six months and it will go the distance in mileage. The cargo space with folded down seats and extra two 6th and 7th seats is roomy enough to say the MLs are willing to get a little dirty but still its a luxury SUV.

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  Why buy anything else. - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By messy1 - July 2 - 2:16 am

  I have owned 3 mercedes C series and this is by far the best to date. My wife and I were going to be practical so we looked at the Accord and Camry. By the time you put everything in them that comes standard in the C300, you are over $30k. It makes it no brainer then to buy the C class.

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  Bercedes is still the one. - 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By fearlessone - July 1 - 10:13 pm

  After owning a 97 C class I had a hard time deciding to purchase a new E550. But after driving the new car I am convinced that MB is back on track with quality a high prority. This car is the best Ive ever driven. Also it is trouble free, requires little, simple maintenace, and no longer worries me regarding problem. If you like to drive (long trip) this is the best out there. Ill keep this one a long time.