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 Best Of Its Kind......! - 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Jeremy - March 12 - 4:16 pm

  I bought this car with 92,000 miles on it and the next day i drove it from Dallas, TX back home to Memphis, TN and i was amazed that i made the trip of about 460 miles on one tank of gas. The ride was smooth on comfortable all the way. Ive had this car for a year now and not a single problem. This car has a sporty look and a luxury feel, what more could i want. When i give my friend a ride they tell my the ride is solid and smooth and i reply "Hey.... its a Mercedes" My next car is defiantly a Mercedes.

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  Love this car, but.... - 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Marin Princess - March 12 - 6:03 am

  This is the fifth MB Ive owned, and this ones the best. It handles beautifully, and is a delight to drive. But, the GPS has me screaming! It takes me the long way, and through neighborhoods no one should drive this car through. I now print maps from my computer before I leave home, and dont rely on the one in my car. Too bad. Satellite reception for Sirius is spotty, and not my first choice. I prefer the XM system. Oh well... But I still love this car. Thanks Mercedes! Youve done it again.

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  Worlds Fastest Production Sedan & Most Versitle - 2006 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By amgfan - March 12 - 5:17 am

  In 2005-06, this car would do 220+ mph off the showroom floor in Germany. A few sports cars have faster 0to60 times, but most dont reach the same top end. Those that do have price tags which are multiples of the S65. Best part of the S65 is that it runs well (and efficiently on one 6-cylinder engine) around town without the need for retuning.

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  Mercedes CL 65 AMG - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By CL 65 AMG - March 12 - 1:56 am

  The only gripe that I have with the car is that it does not come with a manual transmission. But Im otherwise totally floored by this car, never have I had this much fun, the car can do anything. Track days (bye bye Porsche, Ferrari, Vettes etc etc, normal drives in the mountains and eats up the highways. Comfort second to none and no noise ever! I love it and will be buried in it. One car I will never let go of. Might be expensive but you cant put a price on the smiles / mile in this car!

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  A Religious Experience - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Kyle - March 11 - 6:33 pm

  I traded in my 07 Mustang for this because it was an amazing steal. One word describes this car: heavenly. I cant stop staring at it; 10 years down the road it will be just as elegant and refined as it is today. The ride is amazingly smooth, you can hit potholes at 40mph and hear them but not feel them. The sound system is impeccable and the controls easy to use if a bit distant from your hand. The V8 is the most finely tuned Ive ever seen-easy to control yet quick to please. AWD is amazing yet does not sacrifice handling as so many others do. Gas mileage is awful but is to be expected and no worse than any SUV. The controls are in the oddest places and are sometimes hard to fathom.

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  "KLASS E" - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By embeth - March 8 - 8:13 am

  This is our second Mercedes. Our other one is a 2006 CLS55 AMG. I bought this E500 this May with the Sports Package as well as the Apperance Package. I love the Sports package with the dual exhaust, sports suspension, and high performance tires. I live in a wealthy town, and I see Mercedes all the time. I wanted mine to be & look different and it does. I am yet to see another E500 with the Sports Package. From my understanding, not alot were made for the 2006 model.

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  Great Drive - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By acarlover - March 8 - 2:00 am

  After having a 2000 S500 and BMWs since 1975, this car is the pick of the litter. Much more of a drivers car than the S500, it is a kick to drive. The car is a bit smaller inside than the previous car, but certainly comfortable and plush as expected. ..Downsizing maybe, but a lot more fun!

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  The new 2004 MZB 500SL - 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By jwgmd - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I just bought the new 2004 SL after having previosly owned an SL back in 1993. I am very impressed with this cars handling. I have driven the BMW from sports car to 2002 745i and believe it or not this SL handles nicer than any BMW Ive ever driven. It is solid, quiet, stunningly powerful and fun! I got the sport package which I highly recommend. The controls are easy compared to BMWs "I"-drive.Add up all the add ons and your talking an easy $100,000, but i think this one is worth every penny.

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  WISH I HAD TWO - 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By R. DUNCAN - March 8 - 2:00 am

  MY 2004 SL500 IS A WONDERFUL AUTOMOBILE BUT PRICED 30% HIGH. THIS IS NUMBER 7 SINCE 2000 AND IVE LOST MONEY ON ALL 7. HOW ABOUT GETTING A LITTLE HELP FROM THE DEALER.

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  My Review - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By mvp - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Overall, this year with this car has been great. Mercedes builds a car that you truly want to keep and feel good every time you get into it. I will definitely buy another mercedes. The service dept has done a tremendous job and take wonderful care of their customers.