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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  2001 S500 - 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By SWilliams - December 20 - 1:43 am

  I purchased this vehicle used in October of 08. So far, it has been expensive to maintain but it has been well worth it. This is truly an outstanding car. Ive owned Porsche, Lexus, Audi, Infiniti and this is by far the best. The ride quality is superb and it doesnt compromise handling. The car is eerily quiet even at 90+ mph. The navigation system works well, but it only has major roads mapped in smaller towns or suburbs. I also really wish the CD player was in the dash. This cars size and countless safety features make you feel very secure. The command system takes some getting used to but isnt overly complicated. The interior is huge and very comfortable.

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  The true Mercedes-Benz - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Feszty - December 20 - 1:06 am

  I bought this car when it was less than 6 months old with 4000 miles on it. I have had no problems with it at all and the drive and fuel economy is excellent. My only problem is that it is a bit too conservative for me, but after all Im coming from a V8 BMW. But youve got to love the 37MPG for the 0-60 in 6.6 seconds. The interior is so much nicer than any of its competitors and there is enough space for 4 adults, even for long drives. I have installed the iPod option after market and it is the best thing you can ask for. Forget CD changers!

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  Awesome Driving Abilities and High Quality - 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Kathleen - December 19 - 11:23 pm

  This car handles so well, it hugs curves and feels like its gripping the road. It fun to drive and very comfortable. Ive never owned a Mercedes before and I am thrilled with my new purchase. The interior is comfortable and is made of all quality materials. It looks and feels luxurious and I feel very safe in the car. The navigation is good but its not as good as my phone navigation. I can just type in a place and then click directions on my phone. On the nav in the car I need to go to POI (points of interest) and then find the place and/or know the address so its a bit more complicated than my phone. But once its in the car I can save it and go right to it next time so thats a plus. The car is just beautiful inside and out. Sleek lines and curves right where they should be. I love the side mirror "warning" lane change feature (or blind spot feature). If a car is next to me there is a small red light on my mirror, when the car moves out of my blind spot the red light turns yellow. It will beep if I try to make a lane change with someone too close to my blind spot. Its a very cool feature that I love. The rear view camera is also very nice and Im getting used to using it. Of course I still look back and check my mirrors as well but its quite helpful. I cant say enough about this car, Im in love!

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  Great Car ! Mercedes E350 Coupe 4 Matic Sport - 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By dchuba - December 19 - 4:58 pm

  I have always thought the Mercedes Benz E class was a beautiful car. But I also like a more sporty option. And the Mercedes Benz E class Coupe was the perfect choice. It has stunning looks and sporty styling inside and out. And the luxury of this vehicle is top notch. And this is coming from a Bentley and GTR owner. Trust me this car is a joy to drive and handles great. With big wide tires it’s sure to handle all the bends the road my through you way. As for the acceleration put it in sport mode and hold on because it’s fast. And the luxury on this vehicle is fantastic. The harman kardon sound system, user friendly interface, navigation, beautiful leather bucket seats, beautifully designed steering wheel, glass top, and the list goes on and on. As for the reliability it’s also very good and would be a great choice for a daily driver. And it will also turn heads daily. However the maintenance is believed to be high by some, but in reality is extremely reasonable. But if you are use to driving a honda and switch to Mercedes Benz, yes of course it will be more expensive. It’s a better vehicle with better parts. And trust me if you get this vehicle you will love it.

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  by Jim S. - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By James Sandsmark - December 19 - 12:46 am

  The turbo-diesel has all the response and acceleration of my previous 2000 E320. On trips, I typically get around 34mpg. If I keep the speed @ 65 or less , I have experiened 37.6 mpg over a 250 mile stretch

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  Best in class SUV, elegant and great handling - 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
  By B.Bangaru - December 18 - 1:03 pm

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  2004.5 230 Sedan is a work of art - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Mr. Hyde - December 17 - 2:00 am

  Going from a modified to rally stage 02 WRX @300HP, the get up and go of this car is much less...But wait..while I cant sprint and hit the corners as hard, this car really moves with an agile confidence. The more I drive it the more I am impressed. Wrap it up with the MB styling...I love it..the 04 wheels and pipe give it a great look and profile. Add in some comfort, and borderline luxury and it is a sweet ride... Close to a work of art in my eyes.

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  Second thought - 2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By boxster - December 16 - 10:00 am

  I have fell in love with the design of the E430 and performance. The problems that I have similar about ABS appeared several times and replaced steering rack which caused clicking noises when turning the steering wheel. I have very disappointed with the Park Place (Greenway) in Houston, TX. It took three times to fixed the ABS and four times to fixed the steering racks.

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  C230 Coupe - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By c702000 - December 16 - 10:00 am

  4000 Miles no problems excellent car and value for the money.

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  Surprisingly Fun - 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
  By Mykel - December 16 - 5:53 am

  Im amazed at the people complaining about mileage during the break in period of the car driving in winter. Love this car-my last 2 were a Highlander and an x-3 this vehicle puts them to shame. Havent had any brake issues so far so good. Great experience!!!!