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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  Good but not as fun as BMW or Infiniti - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Scott - July 27 - 12:16 am

  I like the new C class design its gorgeous. Nice car but not as much fun as the BMW, Lexus IS 350, Audi A4 or Infiniti G37 coupe. I was disappointed by the slow performance for a V6 with 268HP it felt very slow. Seats not that comfortable either. At least MB got the design right now they have to add more power and torque like BMW and Infiniti and Lexus. These all have over 300HP engines and are much quicker and more sporty than MB C350. But the MB has the best looks and styling so if you want looks and status the new C class is tough to beat. If you want sports luxury get a BMW, Lexus or Infiniti.

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  very disappointed - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By hatethecar - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Because if my work, I put alot of miles on a car and need reliability as well as comfort. The reliability factor is certainly present, however, the cars interior is very uncomfortable for anyone over 57". I feel like Im in a tuna can. The seats are uncomfortable and the interior space is small and not well designed. I really dislike driving this car and hope to get rid of it as soon as possible. One other glaring mistake made by MB is the fact the the interior colors are so light its impossible to maintain particularly the flooring area. RIDICULOUS!

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  Money pit from hell - 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
  By Brian Vogt - July 25 - 6:30 pm

  I own a highend transportation business and have a large variety of vehicles from Escalades to big Diesel buses and keep my vehicles inside and go over and beyond with maintenance. I dont have enough time to tell you all the problems with my Sprinter you would be reading for two days. this week I spent 2,800 on exhaust filters and sensors drove it 22 miles took it back and spent 750 for another sensor drove it another 30 miles engine light came on again and still at shop.Do not buy one of there vans I dont care how good a deal you think it is. And remember iam just telling you the problems for one week. If you need something the size of a Sprinter go by a Ford Transit much better vehicle. Oh and on the Sprinter Mercedes says they have the best resale value my ass go try and sell one been trying to sell mine and cant even get to a car lot before the engine light comes on.

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  Great little car - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By dfk - July 25 - 7:16 am

  Car is fun to drive but corners somewhat soft. The looks are great IMHO and still has the classic MB styling. The 230 is a great little engine with all the power anyone will ever need.

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  Tough choice - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Brad - July 25 - 2:30 am

  Coming off a 2002 BMW530i, looking at BMW 530ix, Audi A6, and MB 3504M. Tough call. But the BMW was pricey and had awful interior controls, even after I got used to the exterior. The Audi was loaded with features and good looking but a mushy drive. I hesitated for months, finally settling on the MB. Drove it in a big snow yesterday. I have to say I would get another in a heartbeat. Classic look, great interior, wonderful drive. The drive is not as crisp as my BMW, but close. I enjoy the slightly more luxury feel more than I anticipated. Hey BMW, it has cup holders! If you are debating these three, go MB...

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  Love the ML320 - 1999 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Drewart - July 24 - 10:00 am

  This car is excellent overall. It drives and performs like a true Benz (for those of us that know.)I have had many and this one is fun, fast, sporty, yet user friendly for those trips to the antique shows or for the mulch bags. Dynamic control and comfort for an SUV. I would buy this car again.

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  Is this a German or American built car - 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Cssml500 - July 24 - 10:00 am

  When i took it for a test drive before buying was very impressed with the power and handeling. But after about a month since i bought it, started hearing squeaky sounds from the back. Cant even pinpoint where they are coming. It sounds like the hatch is going to fall of every time i hit a bump. I am embarrsed to let others drive with me and when i do, i try and put the music up to drown out the squeaks and rattles. It has just about 1800 miles. Cant imagine what it would be after few more thousand miles... If i could do it agian would have waited for the X5

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  jsm review - 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By jorgen - July 24 - 10:00 am

  Do not know reliability or depreciation on this car yet

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  Value you just cant beat!!! - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By SF Bay Area Fan - July 24 - 10:00 am

  Ive had it for 3 weeks now and have already passed the 1000 mile mark and I love the car. I got it because I drive alot for my job and needed a fuel efficient, comfortable car...and I got it! It cools well. The sunroof is great. The Bose sound system is better than other Bose systems Ive heard. But, I wish I could fit a full set of golf clubs in the trunk (I also have a convertible BMW 328, and they managed to do that). Also, I have the Nav and w/o the CD changer, you can either listen to CDs or do the Nav (not both).

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  A Great Acquisition! - 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Wally Samonte - July 20 - 4:11 pm

  I have not driven it enough to write an in-depth review, but after several weeks of driving, owning my 2014 E-Class 350 promises to be an extremely pleasurable investment. I am extremely pleased with the condition of this CPO purchase. It is like buying a new Merc at a discount.