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 True Exotic Mercedes Benz AMG - 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By D. Waters - October 3 - 1:03 am

  We bought a CLS 63 AMG Mystic White Designo Performance Plus, and my goodness what a car! We were originally going to get a Bentley Continental Flying Spur, but we chose to get this car. That was the best choice we ever made when it comes to a car. The interior of the CLS 63 AMG designo is far superior to the Bentley. I love the performance of this car! This car has around 568 horsepower, more than the standard CLS 63 AMG. I love the exclusitivity! There are only 3 in California and 1 in Utah. The acceleration is around 3.9 seconds to go 0-60 mph. This car gets so much attention, too! All in all, this car is an exotic

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  My Grandfathers Car with Gadgets - 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Tom - October 2 - 4:11 pm

  First the exterior and ride is beautiful; it rides like my 2012 E-Class and its only a C. Hats off to MB they did that right. However, the interior layout is very disappointing. First, the gear shift is now on the column like my grandfathers 55 Chevy. The gear shifter is flimsy and clumsy to use. I much prefer the floor gear shift which makes the car feel sporty. Next the E-Brace M System is clumsy and cumbersome to use. Everything, I mean everything is in the E-Brace from climate control, to maps, to the radio is in there. The screen is about 2x the size of 2012 E Class. It mounted on the dash as if some one mounted in a big screen TV in their basement wall. The center console looks barren, and with the E-Brace mounted between the seats and the TV set just hanging out there, the elegance of a luxury car is gone. In my opinion, its not attractive at all. I have owned 4 Mercedes, and its does not look like I will be buying my 5th. I was planning on looking at a CLS but most likely I will hang on to my E-Class until I figure out what to buy.

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  Not just eye candy - 2005 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Cruiser - October 2 - 1:20 am

  It is a great vehicle with everything a SUV should be and then some. I have driven several SUVs, but this one lets you know the very minute you sit down in the drivers seat that perfomance and control, as well as safety, have been adressed in this vehicle. Also, the comfort and entertainment package will blow you away. In short, prepare yourself for the best.

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  My 2013 Benz E350 - 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Martha Dieter - October 1 - 8:07 pm

  Great car!

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  Complete disapointment - 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By og4delta - September 30 - 11:08 am

  This is the worst premium car i have ever had. Seriously, it is almost comical that you set the expectations so high in such a "high end car" to be right back in the dealer every 2-3K miles and drive a loaner car. Be ready for constant check engine light on, break problems, ac problems, just to mention the most annoying and apparently commun troubles with the S-550. Last time that i took the car back for a break problem, dealer told me that MB is preparing a "permanent" solution for this situation due to the high frequency of this occurrence (rotors)... really?, at this point, one year after rolling out this model, they dont have a solution for a break fall out? Bummer!

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  Better buy than Lexus IS and BMW 3-Series - 2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By sapwiz - September 30 - 12:16 am

  I debated for almost 2 months between the 07 Lexus IS-250 and IS-350 and BMW 3- Series. I was mainly looking for an edgy style and most important AWD for the snow in the Northeast. The IS-250 is nicely appointed but pricey when adding options (low power). BMW is nicely appointed but 328XI AWD does not compare to features of MB C280- 4M. Its nicely designed for 07 (a colleague told me about the MB low quality of past years) and Im particularly finicky, which is why I even considered an Avalon and VW Passat. But for the total package of Options, Power, Luxury feel and sturdy (or luxury drive if you choose) along with Sirius Sat/Nav and Ipod Integration, there is no comparison in price.

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  The New ML - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Dave Richmann - September 28 - 7:10 pm

  This new ML is entirely different than the previous model. It is smooth as glass. With a new unitized body and 7 forward gears, this car has the most car-like ride of any sport utility available today. Performance is surprisingly powerfull. Easy to drive yet rugged when it has to be. This new ML has huge interior space. Makes the RX 330 look like a Tonka-toy when you park next to one.

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  Runs and handles as new - 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Just like new - September 28 - 10:30 am

  Although I bought my E320 8 months ago, I do drive it pretty hard, and I drive it often. Even at 54k miles, the car shifts quieter than my 2004 Grand Cherokee and my wifes 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. The city mpg for me is 17 city. The pick-up is fantastic while the handling is great! The interior is simple, but functional. My wife doesnt quite like the seats (she says that they are uncomfortable). The dash cluster is much friendlier than the 2003 BMW 5 series. My mother has a 525 and the steering wheel blocks the dash. I cannot see how fast I am going. Even though I move the steering wheel, the dash cluster is still blocked. I am glad I bought the E320. I favor it over the BMW.

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  2013 E350 Harman Kardon weak bass - 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By jls10 - September 27 - 6:02 am

  This 2013 is my fifth E class. I also have owned S class, CLK, C class, SLK. I traded a 2013 Equss with 10k miles for this new 2013 E because I missed the feeling of being connected to the road. . I have 6k miles on the E car. My big disappointment in the new E with Harman Kardon Pro Logic 7 is the radio. There is not enough low end.. bass. I noticed others complaining about lack of bass in E cars. This 2013 is my fifth E class. I also have owned S class, CLK, C class, SLK. I traded a 2013 Equss with 10k miles for this new 2013 E because I missed the feeling of being connected to the road. . I have 6k miles on the E car. My big disappointment in the new E with Harman Kardon

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  First Mercedes - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Pantina-Dick - September 26 - 3:36 pm

  Traded in my 2002 Lexus ES 300 and could not be happier with my decision. Although somewhat smaller than my ES 300, it still offers plenty of room for 5. Innovative styling along with a very comfortable ride add to the driving experience. Car is very quiet and offers smooth highway acceleration.