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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  wife loves it - 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By scott - October 27 - 6:43 pm

  I came out of a 2007 DTS which my wife felt was a little to large for her to drive so I checked out the 2010 CTS which was nice inside and out and had a nice ride(DTS was better). I noticed it was a little low in the front end and thought the ground clearance may be an issue. We checked out the C300 sport and felt the ride was a little harder than the CTS and it also had a tight ground clearance like the CTS. We tried out the C300 luxury and found the ride to be better and it did not have as low of a front spoiler so we went with the luxury, my wife and I love it. Some people complain about the cruse control position but trust me you well get used to it. Had 2 BMW 8 caddys, C300 suits us.

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  Exceptional Vehicle - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By newyork142536 - October 25 - 4:53 am

  I have really enjoyed this car. It has been incredibly reliable and comfortable on long road trips. Short drives are enjoyable also.

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  My first Benz - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By staceyland - October 24 - 10:00 am

  I am very impressed with the quality of this vehicle. I never want to buy anything other than a benz ever again!!

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  30 year Benz driver rates this one #1 - 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By William R Phillips - October 24 - 6:50 am

  This is my 31st Mercedes and I think it may well be the best. I did not bother with the AMG because the power is simply awesome without the 507 hp engine. The 382 suits me fine. Rarely do I use the back seat so I have no comment on its comfort level, but I love the styling and feel of the car. I have owned most models of MB during the years and have always craved the sportiness of the SL and the comfort of the S. Here I have what I have always wanted.

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  Great SUV - 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By weeweeC - October 23 - 10:16 am

  Traded in a Land Rover Lr3 for the Gl450. Wow what a difference! Better and smoother ride, more power, more luxurious, more amenities. The car is a real head turner. We are very happy so far.

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  Oudstanding - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By glenn - October 23 - 8:16 am

  I get 32 mpg on highway and 23 mpg in city driving. I dont understand how people can rate the mpg less than ten. This is my third M-B, and I love it as much as my prior two. It requires very little maintenance expenditures. All I have spent $ for since I purchased it was for 2 tires and the usual oil and filter changes.

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  What a great car - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Mike Mas - October 23 - 6:13 am

  I have owned this car for about 4 months and I am enjoying it more everyday. I have been averaging about 17 mpg in the city and 27mpg on the highway (@75mph). I think this amazing considering the 5 liter V-8. Fit and finish like none other. Dealer service is A+. I am planning to buy one for my wife.

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  Wifes MB - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Robin Jenn - October 22 - 10:00 am

  Excellent car overall, but air conditioning fair, could certainly be improved! Little annoying things like drink holder not opening and door seals having to be replaced within the first 3 months that our local MB dealer Hoelm MB quickly took care with very friendly staff at service.I prefer this car over our previous BMW 3 series.

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  How will Lexus copy this one??? - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Rocky Mtn High - October 22 - 10:00 am

  Picked up the E500 2 days ago (ordered in June). The pictures do not do the car justice. Its gorgeous! Black with tan leather. Sold my Lexus to buy the Mercedes and now I understand why the valets always parked the Lexus in the back (they are real dogs!) but they are a reliable TOYOTA. If you get the E320 be sure to get the 17 inch wheels, the smaller wheels just dont work with this car.

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  Merc E320 4Matic is the best - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By bostonmerce320 - October 21 - 1:25 pm

  Initially , i use to be a big fan of Audi as i owned one , heavy weight and great dynamics i thought could not get better than Audi. But once i sat in E320 4matic i just loved interior and bought it without second thought. It never turned down my expectations. Once i was driving in New England Storm i took exit for gas and got stuck in 3 foot snow. But i now my merc can handle it like nothing , i switched to Sport mode and press the pedal it jumped of the heavy snow like a tiger everybody around just baffled as they shoveling hard to get their car out of snow. I can drive 50 miles an hour on ramps like nothing . I drove from Pittsburgh to Boston with 31.5 MPG , Jap owners went jealous..:)