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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  6k miles later and we still like it lots - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By Rod - April 7 - 2:13 am

  After 6k miles and hauling around kids and Home Depot runs, groceries, it still is a pleasure to drive around. Heard reliabilty issues but ours must have been built on Wednesday because so far its been hassle free. The comfort level is Big Benz all the way. Lots of power, great sound system, easy to get in and out of. Were glad we got it.

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  Awesome! - 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By br2121 - April 6 - 6:16 pm

  I love my Mercedes-Benz CLK55. It has awesome power, ,handles like a champ, but still has a comfortable ride.

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  Almost Perfect Sedan - 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Vincent Wong - April 6 - 1:06 am

  As a total package, the 2008 S550 sets itself apart from all the super luxury sedans under $100K. Ive owned many performance cars: CL500, Porsche 911s, BMW 7 series, Lexus LS430 etc.. The S550 by far is the most comfortable and pampering vehicle in its class. It has a perfect balance (through purposeful engineering) between performance and comfort - its a well appointed family room on wheels. Im in total agreement with MBs design philosophy: understated luxury as it is a true way to reflect the owners sophisticated taste without overstating his/her presence. The S550 is a remarkable automobile.

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  Great Car - 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
  By tampcm - April 5 - 5:30 pm

  Fantastic car - good compromise between utility and fun to drive. Impeccable build quality. Very happy with the purchase.

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  Beware of gawkers - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By bigdog32553 - April 4 - 5:03 am

  If you dont like people coming up to you in parking lots or at the carwash to look at this car and ask about it, then dont buy it! Handles great, fun to drive and is very comfortable even for a 62" bigdog. Have had one service problem for a faulty seat belt restraint warning message but that was corrected. Overall very pleased with the vehicle!

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  First Mercedes - 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
  By 1st MB - April 3 - 10:00 am

  Was looking to down size our SUV and found the GLK a great option AMG package set it off! Drives like a sports car with feel of an SUV. Ive been a truck/American muscle guy my whole life and the GLK might have won me over!

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  Finest car Ive ever driven - 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Mr Lucky - April 3 - 12:23 am

  My wife and I have driven Cadillacs for years.In July 2009 we wondered onto the Mercedes Dealers lot. This was to be our lucky day,the salespeople were very knowledgeable, friendly and willing to help(we encountered quite the opposite at our local Cadillac Dealer)which is why we were looking ! We wound up buying the 2010 550 E. What a wonderful car ! Even during break-in we obtained about 20 mpg in town , the ride is far superior to the Cadillac and the amenities are unparalleled ! Thus far we are ecstatic about the purchase. Even the performance leaves the Cadillac touted Northstar in the dust !

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  Spoiled Rotten - 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Spoiled Rotten! - April 2 - 9:06 pm

  I saw it sitting in the dealership waiting for me to buy it! I did!! Best deal and amazing car to drive. Its response is great, well brakes could use some help. Its made up with the intant brake lock when it picks up you want brake NOW. Love It!! Everything will recommend it and Im planning to upgrade soon to the new version.

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  Ultimate Fun - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Ute Lisa Appleby - April 1 - 1:40 am

  This is a most beautifully designed car, and driving feels like floating on clouds. Enjoy the sound of the engine when starting the car. It is luxury at its best. Trunk space is small just enough for 2 small suitcases. Dont plan on doing major grocery shopping with this car. It is a great car but not practical in everyday life i.e. if you are on the road, in sales or real estate and need to transport kids/people. You need an "everyday" practical second car if you own a CLK. Save it for going out or somewhere special. It is so fast that you dont realize how fast you go. Total, absolute luxury. It will spoil you forever.

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  Love the car 3 and 1/2 months after - 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By merc2009 - March 30 - 3:30 am

  A follow-up review 3 and 1/2 months down the road. Love the car. No disappointments at all! Really happy about the performance, ride comfort, and the looks. Gas mileage is quite appropriate (get as bad as 17 mpg in the city high traffic and as great as 28 mpg on the highway). Really great combination of solid feel and ride and yet the car feels quite light. The COMAND system is outstanding. Pick up from the 1st gear is a bit sluggish, but, again, never expected it to beat more powerful BMW 3 or Infinity G35, for example.