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 Germans have done it again - 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By tdiesel - March 26 - 11:46 am

  Its a Mercedes and it holds up to its name. I test drove the Range Rover, Infiniti QX56 and the Escalade. None of which come even close to comfort and performance. I opted for the GL320 CDI, which is the turbo diesel and for an almost 3 ton truck I get between 24 and 29mpg(The Escalade gets between 12 and 18mpg). The interior design is truly stunning and it has more features than youll ever use.

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  Great SUV - 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Charles McBride - March 25 - 2:00 am

  Has been a great SUV. Looking forward to the new 2004 design.

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  NS - 2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By kazbek - March 25 - 2:00 am

  The car is perfect..exept the novigation system

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  A car for all reasons - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By vladtepes - March 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought it new, it came loaded with every feature but NAV. One year later, it feels as solid, safe and fun tor drive as the first day out of the lot. Except for the BAS/ESP warning (which was a wiring glitch, fixed in 1Hr.) there has been no single item to complain about.There has been, however, plenty to rave about. You cannot do much better than this for 30K. My son lover his first set of wheels! I feel secure about him driving it. Make it RED!

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  My 6th and the best so far - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By John - March 24 - 11:03 pm

  The new E350 represents my sixth Mercedes and absolutely the best so far. Im a large man and comfort is a major consideration. Ive driven in other high line cares and none compare with the head and leg room provided by the Mercedes. In addition the ride in the new car is so quiet that you can barely hear the engine. However once you step on the accelerator be prepared as the power it has is simply incredible. One of the other real benefits is as a big man at 64when I drive the car the person in the back seat isnt jammed in and I dont have to sacrifice by having to move the driver seat up.The cd player puts out a fabulous sound. The trunk space is emense.

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  Awesome car in every way! - 2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Happy - March 24 - 12:10 am

  Those of you who mentioned its not safe in the winter -- Get Snow Tires!!! If you want to drive a luxury car with rear wheel drive then youre going to need the extra grip in snow! Its perfect in the ice/snow with my snow tires. In nicer weather, with the performance tires, its even better: smooth, easy to handle, and compact! Love it!!

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  My Dream Car - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By AL3AMEED - March 21 - 4:33 pm

  A Classic Car...Very Elegance Car...Enjoyable Ride

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  Happy to own an E320 - 2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Peter Schleipman - March 20 - 1:06 pm

  The next car I buy will have 4 wheel drive or, at least, front wheel drive. The E320 does not do well in snow. I wish I had purchased the 4 matic.

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  2003 S430 4matic - Lorinser Package - 2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Palm Desert - March 19 - 1:03 pm

  This was my dream car since 2000. At the price starting at $80K, I thought it would just remain a dream. I was blessed to have this used 2003 S430 this 12/2007. Its everything I expect it to be and more. Real quality & luxury.

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  Pocket Rocket Wagon - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By speedster - March 19 - 10:00 am

  This is not your grandpas benz. Its fast, smooth and precise. Transmission is like butter. Engine pulls strong with plenty of torque in the right places - sorry beemer peter. Pleasant sporting note out of the exhaust - that does not sound throathy but growns with assurance. Interiors is spacious and seats are german firm and supportive. Cars feels very solid and safe (air bags everywhere). Stops on a dime without squatting or diving. Pleasure to drive on long trips.