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 wont buy another one - 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By wcw - January 4 - 5:26 pm

  My 2000 Mercedes-Benz S500 has been a huge disappointment. In May 2000 I experienced many problems with it, at only 7,468 miles. Again on 8/26/2000 I experienced multitude of problems, at 11,114 miles. And again on 9/2001 at 19,492 miles. On 10/18/02 at 28,231 miles I had to pay $376 in addition to warranty covered items. On 3/03 I experienced more problems, including a defective "adc." In 2004 the electric seat became inoperative and left front door control module replaced to a tune of $980. On 11/13/04 I had to get a new air suspension pump for $500. This cars fuel gauge is still inoperative, I have not fixed it yet. Ill measure it with a stick rather than pay for a new one. This is my second and final Mercedes. Its hard to believe you can pay $90,000 for a car you only drive 8,000 miles/year and be faced with this lemon.

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  Luxury suv with goods, bads and uglys - 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE Class
  By Da man - January 1 - 8:05 am

  I rent the base model when the car rental ran out of cars and gave us an impassible upgrade deal. Car looks great as I caught many glances from passerby like am a rich guy, funny it was when people judge me by the look, oh well!!! Here is the good, bad and the ugly. Good: look, very quiet, feel slow like 55 mph but actually fly at 85, parking assist with great view even in low light, great interior and fitting, really cold a/c, big trunk area, good space 2nd row. Bad: slow acceleration, only use super unleaded at least 91 octane, gas guzzler when use cruise control, no 3rd row, keeps asking me to rest with night driving almost every hour. And the UGLY are: rain activated wipers that wipe like I dance on hot charcoals with no option to control its rate (make visibility nil and very dangerous; better with slower swing so I can still see in between the beats; too fast and the water cant drain off the windshield); next is the rotating selector and the little screen that I can use my finger to write, instead I wanted to give it a finger; an absolutely waste of time, unless Benz replaces it with touch screen than I will call it AWESOMENESS, not yet Benz. The next troll is the seat design. Worse than an "economy" car. Not only my butt but all passengers ended up with butt bruises, well that is a little exacerbated but it was a "pain in the butt". The seats are tooo firm, Benz, unless Germans was spanked so much when little that they have better tolerance. And lumbar support for front seats are bad that I had to snug a small blanket there. Ok, I rant much now so need a break. Until next time...

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  Consider other SUVs - 2004 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
  By Leighton - December 23 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my G500 in August of 2002. Since that time the door hinge seals required replacement twice, the transfer case computer went out at 10,000 miles, even before going off road. The car blows fuses for the power seats and the vehicle required visits to the shop more than twice for power window failure. You need a second car to own a G500 so you have something to drive. One also wouldnt expect the G500 to squeak, but it does. And the service departments arent much better than the vehicle itself. This is one consumer who will never buy another Mercedes Benz.

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  I Love My Car But... - 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
  By B.R.Bannister - December 22 - 3:05 am

  I Love my Car. We are around 110000 miles now. Over all I love everything about my car except I always need to fix it. My car lock needed to be fixed, that was $1000 Seals around the doors are cracking. Chrome trim around cup holders are peeling. Buttons are wearing off. Middle console it scratching. Basically anything plastic will and has fallen apart. I know it sounds all horrible but my car in almost mint condition and all these things are things only I would notice since I detail my car daily but the fact is I have noticed. Ive spent $3000 in maintenance this year. Over all I love my car it handles well, I feel special driving it. But if you dont have the extra cash Id say pass.

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  Borrrring - 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Kiwi_Susan - December 16 - 10:00 am

  This car is the best SUV I could find....but thats not saying much. After owning 4 other non-SUV Mercedes, I call this car my Alabama-redneck Mercedes. While I understand that this car was built in the US - it doesnt appear to have the smart German engineering that Im used to from my previous MB. What a shame of a car.

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  Economy MB? - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By hws1634 - December 9 - 10:30 pm

  I bought this car for its looks, i.e. its untraditional new exterior design. Being formerly from Germany, Im very disappointed about the interior, I expected a better quality. Over 15 years ago I had a 190 2.3 which had a better quality MB Tex material inside, but it felt like leather, In this car it is like rough sandpaper. Interior space is tight for me (6-3 ft). Storage compartments are small, the worst is its tiny glove compartment, not even the car manual fits in it and no sunglass compartment. I had an Acura Legend, a TL, a BMW 530 and last an Infinity FX35, all had by far better interior features and materials. I wish I hadnt traded in my FX!

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  Total Junk! - 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Total Junk - December 3 - 11:40 am

  This car was a total hunk of junk from the first day we drove it. The check engine light came on on the drive home on the day of purchase. It was never fixed, but to make the car even worse the radiator had to be replaced before the car could be sold. So, $3200 later we finally just got rid of the car to cut our losses while we still could. Run! Dont walk away from this car!

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  Not all that - 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Got1nothanks - December 1 - 6:46 pm

  Having parted with my 05 Audi A4 3.0 Cab, I knew I would have to do with out the topless experience. What I didnt know was that I would have to do without a locking glove box. I would also have to lift and push forward the front passenger seat to let someone in the back. Much like an old European taxi. At this price point you shouldnt have to make these basic sacrifices. We have two Mercs at home, when leases end, we will have none! Ever.

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  Very Disappointed - 2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Jim Feeney - December 1 - 7:43 am

  I bought this car new, my first Benz. It will also be my last. There have been continual electronic problems, head lamp problems, power window problems, I have had to replace the mass airflow sensor 3 times. The CD changer no longer works and the cost to repair is very high. While the car is responsive and powerful, and can be fun to drive, the irritation and cost of the constant electrical repairs and soured me on the brand for life. I would not recommend a MB to anyone at this time. I regret not buying the Lexus.

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  I hate my C350 quality - 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By harizo - November 19 - 9:42 pm

  I bought a mercedes C350 brand new in 09 hoping that buying a new car would save me any car trouble. Unfortunately, I returned the next day to the dealer ship with a fuel engine issue. The car stayed over night to get some engine part replaced. A month later, I had break lights turn on due to corrosion. Another issue was a delay with car taking off, as i would press down on the accelerator the RPM would shoot up but the car wouldnt go. I took the car several times the first year, the dealer ship wasnt able to fix a few things until i escalated the issue to the dealer ship manager at Beshoff in San jose.I have taken in my car over 15 times due to repeating problems. BMW quality is much better