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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  I got the lemon - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By ed - July 16 - 6:36 am

  Nothing but problems since day 2 of ownership. The first 30 days car was in shop for repairs 33% of the time.

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  Super car - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Marge Grimm - July 15 - 7:40 pm

  Reliable, very comfortable and a lot of engine performance.

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  better than 03 - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By neg - July 15 - 10:00 am

  I had an 03 and it had many problems. I decided to get the 04 so I could get gps and this car is solid. Everything works well, and the car has a good amount of power.

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  Dream Car - 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By ab star - July 13 - 5:33 am

  The best combination of any car ever built. Its a sports car (use only the manual transmission and the steering wheel metal gear changers); its a luxury car with a sports car or luxury car suspension; it can cruise mildly or attack corners; its beautiful (silver ties whole car together); its a hardtop for foul weather and winter and a convertible - incredible. There may be better cars for any one item but none with this combination at such a high level.

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  1999 E320 - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Computer51 - July 12 - 2:00 am

  Best car Ive owned. Reliable, great looking, good handling. Could be a little better in performance area. Like the ride and comfort features. Really havent had any trouble with this car since I bought it. Would definately buy another one, this time the V8 model (E500)

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  Unlike any other - 2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Zachmbenzfvr - July 12 - 2:00 am

  Having owned this car for about three weeks I can say that it is one of the best if not the best Mercedes I have ever owned. I have not experienced any problems with my car at this moment. This car is very spirited and I only wish I would have put my name on the list for the s600. This thing is quick as it is, with 100+ more horsepower, this car would be a rocket. But oh well, My baby is just fine the way she is.

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  my c240 - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Amir - July 12 - 2:00 am

  It was like love at first sight when I purchased my 2002 Mercedes Benz c240. It is such a beautiful car!! I have compared many cars before buying this and after driving it I just knew this was the one

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  Perfection - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By P7 - July 12 - 2:00 am

  Just got my 2003 C32. Handling is unbelievable - sticks like a magnet. Perfect balance of ride and comfort, not as harsh as M3. Understated elegance - looks intimidating but not obnoxiously so. Seats are great. Engine is awesome - sub 5 second 0-60 (havent pushed it yet, still breaking it in). Problem is, Im definitely spoiled.

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  Benz in Trouble - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By JFJ - July 10 - 9:33 pm

  The E class, although elegant, beautifull and world class, has been very disappointing. Reliability, simply stinks! Performance is unpredictible and truck like at times. This is the E5004matic, with the adjustable/adaptive suspension that is at the sport II mode is worse than my replaced Acura MDX 2004. Comfort is subjective, however, the level of noise inside the car is a Ford F150 on a train crossing. The Hydro nonsense brakes are the worst Ive had on a car, unpredictible, you simply do not have a clue everytime you want to stop how much pressure you should be applying. The car sticker is 70grand+. That is the problem?! for that much cash EVERY car in its class is a better one?

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  S500 2004 - 2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Will - July 10 - 2:06 pm

  Ive had this car almost 2 years. No issues. S500 engine with 7 speed transmission is like silk with rocket take-offs when passing on highways. 20-24mpg on hwy / 18-20 avg combined. Mercedes has addressed quality issues which were apparent during the 1990s. Ive had a 2000 E320 and the 2004 S500. Both cars have been issue - free and low maintenance while a pleasure to drive. Nice curb appeal was well for business.