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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  Very good family vehicle but... - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By Van - September 17 - 11:36 pm

  The R500 is a very good family vehicle. It does seat 6 normal sized adults comfortably. The ride is smooth and quiet similar to Lexus (of which Ive owned two). For the size of the car, it handles very well and has plenty of pep with the 5L engine. On the other hand, the build quality is suspect. In the first week we had it, we had to replace an O-ring. Now, were having problems with the automatic lift gate - sometimes it closes completely, sometimes it doesnt. Weve sometimes had to close it 5 or 6 times before it will shut all the way. Now the car is starting to pull to the right - prob. an alignment problem. Also, one of the bulbs on the tailgate light has burned out.

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  Great Entry Level Luxury - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By kav118 - September 17 - 2:10 am

  In my purchase decision I compared the C300 Luxery model to the Lexus IS 250/350, BMW 135/335 and Saab 9-3. For all I was looking at 08 models. In my opinion, the Mercedes C300 offered the greatest driving performance and luxury experience along with the best value. Certainly the fun factor is greater in the BMWs, the Lexus is slightly quieter and the Saab most offordable. The C300 is, however, very fun to drive and the engineering allows you to push the 3.0L V6 to its limits. A very fun ride but with comfort for every day driving.

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  Engine Fire - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Beth K - September 15 - 8:43 am

  I will never own another Mercedes. My 2006 C230 caught fire. As it turned out it was still under warranty as I had purchased the 5 yr/100,000 mile extra. I had it towed to Hoehn Mercedes Carlsbad. Adding insult to injury I was told it was their opinion the car caught fire because I ran over a cigarette butt so the warranty was void. I contacted Mercedes directly. They were equally as insulting and unconcerned. They told me it could take months to ever really figure out what started the fire and in the meantime the warranty was void. Needing to move on with my life, I filed an insurance claim. They intend to get to the bottom of this. This experience has been most disappointing.

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  Panzerkampfwagen - 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
  By Shawnski - September 14 - 10:36 am

  Our lease was up on our 07 X3. We looked at the GLK, LR2, and Volvo XC60. None of them drove as percisely as the X3, however as this is my wifes vehicle comfort is more important than sportiness. The GLK by far was the most refined in terms of quietness and smooth ride. While the GLK is not quite as roomy as the X3 (backseat and cargo area) it has a very relaxed manor about it - while the X3 is always taut. Both have impeccable build quality - really outstanding, with an edge going to the GLK for a satisfying door shut, although the X3 has superior inside door handles. I recommend the GLK for its refined comfort in a tidy sized package. Aggressive drivers need not apply.

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  Finally, a happy wife. - 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By B & L - September 14 - 2:06 am

  I have purchased MANY cars for my wife in hopes that she would be happy with what she is driving. After 17 years, I finally found one that she refuses to even look at another kind of car. This is fun in the sun, and glamor all year round. This last year there was 18" of snow, once we got the car out of the drive, I was passing 4X4s and cruising down the road without issues. We get about 18mpg in town and 23mpg highway. Virtually no road noise with hardtop on who cares how much noise with the top down. Every time my wife gets in it, she tells me how much she loves her little car. Thank you MB

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  Great Car - 2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Remmy Martin - September 13 - 2:00 am

  The interior is amog the best I have ever seen.

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  Somewhere between Bad and Good - 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By bd - September 11 - 10:00 am

  This was my first MB and it wont be my last, but this 98 ML has tested me. The engine is flawless, as well as, the ride and handling (better than most cars). But, the minor things kill the excitement - electrical components: dash, windows, wipers. However, my service department is professional and courteous... always willing to help. Plus, the Starmark warranty is the best.

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  Bad E300D - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By TWH - September 11 - 10:00 am

  This car has had a new transmission and consumes enough oil that it has never made it to a recommended service without having to add or change oil. The radio, CD changer, dash glass, somputer and various other componets have been rplaced the car has been in the shop more that 30 days within it first two years. While the car has never let us down its one warning light after another and it never seems to stop.

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  First Rate - 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By avanthomme - September 11 - 10:00 am

  Everything on this vehicle has been first rate! Its an absolutely amazing vehicle...uncomparable with other luxury sedans. Remarkable...The COMAND system isnt as difficult as people say it is. I didnt even have to read the manual. Trail and error...

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  Review Review - 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Sut-put - September 11 - 10:00 am

  the cars performance is awesome unlike the lexus it drives with the road and it did not feel like the lexus at all. although the Navi system is a little confusing the other features beat the lexuses.