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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  Great Car - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By nPlano - July 4 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car in May of 02 and always wanted one ever since I saw them on msn autos. Runs great, gas mileage could be better, the front looks awesome but the rear could look better. The front looks similar to the SL class. Still a thrill to drive and sure do get looks. Afterall, it is a Mercedes and you get a lot more for your money, definitely a smart buy for a sporty car.

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  Im hooked for life - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By kjs - July 4 - 2:00 am

  I just bought my C240, and I love it. Im now a Mercedes customer for life. I like all the added features - 4 years of scheduled service, etc. The car is a dream to drive - its ultra smooth no matter how fast youre going. The seats are comfortable, too. I test drove the 240 and the 320, and didnt feel a whole lot of difference in the horse power. I didnt feel that the "added" features on the 320 were worth an extra $5,000 to $6,000 on the price of the car.

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  The best or nothing! - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By Jim - July 3 - 9:07 pm

  When you want to step up to this level of car you will want to make sure everything works before you buy. Make sure to get a warranty also, (just in case). If you want a car that can transport you to the middle of next week "right now" this is the car your looking for. This car can break the tires loose at eighty miles per hour. Cornering is just as capable with the ABC able to keep the car level at all times. Luxury abounds as well. Key less entry, key less start, climate control, power sunshade in rear window, leather with wood trim, heated, cooled, and massaging, sixteen way power seats that I am very comfortable in just to mention a few goodies. So far after 5,000 miles I have had no problems. You will have to put in quality gas or the injectors will plug up. $120 for an oil change may seem expensive but it will be good for 10,000 miles which would equal what you would pay for three oil changes for the same distance. This year only made 52 so this is indeed a rare car. To buy one new would have cost close to $200,000, ($178,600 base price). You can buy one for a lot less now. A bargain in my book. Another "CL55" owner told me that the CL is the best model Mercedes ever made.

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  I am happy - 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By costa - July 3 - 2:23 am

  I love the car. Problems have been with normal service at particular dealers. Some dealers are so much better than others. Dont buy a diesel that isnt a turbo. 8.3 seconds 0 to 6 is not a bad time for a diesel.

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  Solid German tank - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By gyndoc - July 2 - 10:00 am

  Our family has owned three MB diesels, one reaching 530K miles (Ford truck hit it, o/w would still be driving it). Safety was our primary reason for puchase, along with MB durability. This Benz is typical solidity, heft ad assurance. There is some diesel grunt to the engine,but at 80 mph, its actually quiter tha the gasoline sister. Torque is breath taking.

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  Wanna turn heads? - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By FelixNYC - June 30 - 4:10 pm

  This car is SEXY , like an Italian car built by Germans. It looks fantastic, it goes like hell, seats four people perfectly (unless all you friends are in the NBA). The engine noise is sweet, the dynamic seats are a trip - heat, cool, massage AND inflating side bolsters to keep you in tight. Everyone stares and gives a thumbs up. The AMG version is worth extra money, the feeling you get when you blast down a highway is pure exhilaration. I traded in an Infiniti FX45 (a pretty quick SUV in its own right) for this baby and I never looked back.

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  Great Car. - 1999 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By William McGrane - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Great Car. I have enjoyed this vehicle very much, especially on long drives and vacations. You feel totally in control of the road and impervious to noise and heat.

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  Love my Mercedes - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By young professional - June 28 - 2:00 am

  Mercedes has really stepped it up in the C class range. I fully anticipated that when I went to purchase my wifes new entry level Mercedes that the acceleration would be just decent and that the fit and finish would contain some plastic. For a 62 male, this car has plenty of room and feels like a mid-size sedan and the handling is tight enough for aggressive cornering but comfortable enough for a luxury feeling. I am very satisfied with the purchase and would buy another any day.

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  The old new G - 2004 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
  By Dave - June 27 - 2:33 pm

  This truck look awesome and when you behind the wheel you feel on top of the world.But it unfortunately from day one since we got our beloved G we had nothing but problems and frustrations. This car does have all problems in the world. Everything went wrong from door locks; number of computer modules, main computer, heated steering, ESP and airbags system to the most resent-paint was coming off on all door latches.Its been in the shop 4 months in the past 2 years and has about 38 pages of problem record. Dealer’s service department was trying to help but this truck was having more and more problems. Finaly Mercedes taking this car back as lemon after 2 years.I would not recomend it at all.

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  C 300 luxury sedan - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Joe - June 26 - 3:03 pm

  Materials are top notch inside and out. I see no difference between the C and the E unless you want more interior room in rear. I carry four adults with no problem however. Mine happened to be full leather, but MB Tex is excellent. Do not get the tan interior. Off color in daylight. Cheap looking. Bad design. Black over grey is best overall. Great in any light. P2 package is worth the money. You have all the luxury ammenities this way. Multimedia is worth the cost for the GPS, Logic 7 surround sound, satellite radio, etc. All great. Very adequate power for size and weight. Follow recommended tire pressures. Gas mileage is exactly what the sticker states. Can beat 25 with cruise.