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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  2nd time around... - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Ives - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I replaced my 1999 ML430 with a 2003 ML350. Improvements have definitely been made with regard to ride and handiling of the 03. The 2003 has a softer feel, though I do receive more engine noise than the ML430. My two biggest gripes are the same as those I have read in other chat rooms: no stereo controls on the steering wheel and poor fuel economy. Other than that, its a great rig in many, many ways. Dealers are very aggressive with pricing on the MLs right now, too, so its a good time to buy!

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  OOOEEE - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By PewterC32AMG - July 31 - 2:00 am

  What an incredible, satisfying car. Talk about versatility. You can drive it spiritedly, or flat-out mean spirited. Either way - you do it all in class!

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  Safe, Incredible in Snow, Low MPG - 2004 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Dave - July 31 - 1:16 am

  Wonderful SUV. Built like a tank. 4-wheel drive is insane: went up in the mountains last new year, did not use snow chains because did not need to! I did not even know I was driving in snow, the truck is so stable! Watched other drivers in luxury SUVs struggling in snow as I was simply cruising along. Problems: no audio controls on the steering wheel (which was addressed in 2006 model), steering wheel is not telescopic like BMW X5, MPG is really 11-12MPG, even in V6. Cassette is hidden inside the entertainment unit which makes it hard to connect IPOD via a cassette adopter. CD-changer should be in front not in the trunk.

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  Caveat Emptor - Let the Buyer Beware! - 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By NewLexusDriver - July 30 - 10:00 am

  My CL500 was one of the worst driving experiences I have ever had (previously owned 2 MBs). I purchased, from a Mercedes dealer, a 2001 model with 3,000 miles. BIG MISTAKE. There were major problems with the CD player, the instrument panel, the windows, the headlights, the nav system and the pneumatic doors. I finally gave up after driving the car 9,000 miles and taking it to dealers 8 times for repairs receiving no real assistance or compensation for my inconvenience from Park Place Motors, Dallas(one time they paid for a rent car), or Mercedes-Benz. Of note: when I traded, Park Place Mercedes-Benz/Mid-cities, where I had purchased the car,would not even submit a bid for the trade.

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  Excellent Car!! - 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Cussunni - July 30 - 10:00 am

  This car is excellent, as everything you need to take care of it. By paying 75K for the car, doesnt mean that you dont have to care of it. I read people complaining about the car, but as in everything, the people that complain the most, are the ones who take care of things less.

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  Simply amazing. Test drive it and you will know. - 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
  By Jlo - July 30 - 8:54 am

  Is this a car or a magic carpet? Truly it’s like an escalator that effortlessly lifts you along. We test drove and put a deposit on an Audi Q7. We didn’t want the stigma of a Mercedes and to hear comments from family or neighbors. My wife just wasn’t in love with the idea of the Q7 and neither was I. It was too small and lacked a spare tire. We finally said the heck with it and test drove the Benz. We knew immediately it was the right car for us and cancelled the Q7 order. I drive a Dodge Durango that is built on the same platform as the GLS. There is no comparison, the interior or the Benz is smaller because the body is made with more high-strength steel. This car is a vault and safety is my highest priority. I’m a cheapskate. But I will spend money for safety. Everything about this car is impeccable. The LED headlights amazing. Air suspension amazing, go off road and it raises the car 5 inches. Put it in sport mode and it keeps the car flat on winding roads. My wife is amazed by this car. She feels confident and assured. The only thing I don’t care for is the electronic interface and that is just a matter of reading the manual. I have no other complaints. It was expensive. But it is worth it to protect my family and to reward my wife for putting up with me. Test drive this car before you buy anything else. It is so easy and fun to drive.

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  Love at first sight! - 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By m_taylor - July 29 - 9:55 am

  Absolutely in love with my GL450, Great deal from MB of Tyson Conner, VA. Mr. Ayman Elasady gave us great support in making this deal happen. My GL is Black with impeccable styling. For 2012 the LED DRLs are standard and they really make the GL stand out. Great head turning ability as I drive on the highway. The V8 under the hood really make this thing move, and the sounds great. Not really happy with future tire selection for the 19" inch rims, but I am satisfied with current tires. The Continentals do not get good ratings online for snow traction I will find out this winter. Cornering on winding back roads at speeds of 45-60 mph great, handles like C class sports model. No real body sway noted. Command center still is outdated electronics is not MBs thing. I typically use the Mbrace iphone app to search for address, and destinations to send to the GLs Command GPS system much quicker than trying to enter by voice or manually. But overall still in love. The backup camera upgrade, & blind slide assist. are must haves. I have parked the GL in some very tight spots on the Mall in downtown DC, without the camera I would not have attempted. But with the camera parking was a breeze. The Honeymoon has only lasted 1,500 miles so far so good. I looked at the Lexus GX460, LX 570, Audi Q7, Infiniti QX56, and Ford Expedition King Ranch Edition. For my money this American Made SUV has room for 7 adult (Even in the 3rd row, I am 61" and very comfortable back there) and power to match. I will report on the towing capabilities later this spring 2012.

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  My little run around SUV - 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
  By Donna Brazill - July 29 - 6:21 am

  I love the size of this vehicle! I spend thousands of miles on the road in my car each year and I feel safe and comfy in this car like SUV. My husband loves to drive it! Its diesel and I have (after 16k) miles been averaging 37-45 miles per gallon. The seats are still pretty firm and hard, and after 26k miles still not as comfy as I had hoped. The navigation system is not very intuitive and a bit cumbersome to operate...time consuming actually. I do not live in the city so once I go off a paved road its essentially useless to me. This is a huge problem in rural areas. Had I known this prior to purchase I would not have bought this car. You must be stopped to enter data which can be a problem if youre already lost in a dicey area! In rural areas where I frequently travel, the turn by turn directions are non-existent. Diesel engine is quite a bit noisier than Toureg Diesel I previously owned. I have not been able to get the voice command training working so I can accept calls or enter directions verbally. Overall, this is a nice car and perfect for my needs, very responsive on curvy roads and mountains. Not terribly sure footed in heavy snow. Lots of light, large windshield and sunroof. The rear seats lay down nicely for larger cargo area and perfect for taking dogs along. Nice visibility overall. I am kind of surprised that I need new brakes already as my other cars went many more miles before needing any attention.

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  Best Car Purchase - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Scott Woodward - July 27 - 11:16 am

  I previously owned an SLK 320, but wanted more room and luxury without sacrificing fun and performance. This car is the perfect answer. The only trip to the dealer so far was to remedy an electrical connector on the transmission and replace the CD player. Pleasantly surprised at delivery to find the newer console with two additional cup holders. Comfortable seats, and interior fit and finish is first rate. With the roof up there is good visibility, and it is surprisingly quiet. Absolutely fun to drive and easy on the eyes. This one is a keeper.

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  A Solid Sedan - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By FSL - July 27 - 6:03 am

  I traded my 2000 SLK 230 for this car, and I dont miss my old roadster. Handling is awesome and impressive-- better than my SLK. This car is solid Mercedes all around and feels like one of the more expensive models. I had the 230 Sport loaned to me one day and it doesnt even come close to my car in performance--the 320 is a better package. The quality is superb and I find it more fun to drive than my Dads new E500. The car turns heads and the design is sexy. Interior design is great, but can use more room in the back seat. No complaints so far, except, I could use a little more power when I punch the gas at the stop light... One day Ill upgrade to an AMG model!