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:

• 

  Fun Little Car - 2000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By atlmis - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I bought my car over a year ago and it has been a pleasure to drive. It handles well, takes corners like a dream and has great acceleration. Pretty roomy back seat for a small car and nice trunk space. Besides a few minor electrical problems, this car has been great.

• 

  I love my little MB Sportwagon - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Linda Timmerman - January 27 - 10:00 am

  After 3 SUVs--pleasant change! I can pack it as full.Wonderful on gas mileage and handles like a dream on the road..great brakes, Runs powerfully and surpises most people with the pick-up .

• 

  awesome car - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By louh642 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  this car is far superior to any other cars in its class. performance style predictability are top notch

• 

  Great car for older single woman - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Uunlisted - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE this car. I was nearly killed in an SUV after it flipped over, and this car gives me all the perks and safety of a Mercedes, as well as the shlepping capacity of a small SUV! The hatchback is phenomenal. It also has a very light security cover that even a 52" woman can easily take off and on. The rear seats also fold down individually to create extra capacity! The car handles phenomenally-- makes U- turns with ease-- and has excellent acceleration. Its a smaller car, but not so small that you feel as if youre going to be smushed like a bug. Sunroof is nice to have. Radio has AM/FM/Weather band.

• 

  Impressive - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Cacho - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Good car all around

• 

  nice - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By pmr1234 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  nice drive...fast and fun

• 

  E320 is awsome - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By mzahraee - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Ihave had nothing but good experience with this vehicle. It has the smotthes ride I have seen in this class. Interior design is excellent.

• 

  Wow - 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Billy G - January 27 - 7:53 am

  New E350 Cabriolet 5 Jul. Have been on short trip of 230 mi. Car rides as smooth as 2010 E350 Sport Sedan; maybe because of different suspension. To early to rate mpg but seems to be above rating - I have replaced air filters w/K&N air filters - made big difference on sedan. So far car is solid for a convertible (more so than previous 09 CLK; trunk above adequate w/top down. Performance typical of 350 series. Only negative comment, when p/ud car the Sirius component of radio not working. Have to order a new module. Isnt this something that should have been caught @ inspection. Had some QC issues on 10 E350 Sedan. Overall, terrific so far.

• 

  As good as it gets. - 1995 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Mrjohn - January 26 - 10:00 am

  This is my 3rd M-B diesel and is just a rock solid car. 15 years old and looks like new, yea, there are a few little issues with fuses etc, but who cares when you get about 38 mpg overall. Rides great and has plenty of power for a diesel, keep them serviced and theyll run for ever!

• 

  Great Vehicle - 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By joeg - January 26 - 10:00 am

  Only had it a few days, but this is the best car Ive ever owned!