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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  2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class GLK350 4dr - 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
  By Schwarz - December 20 - 3:56 am

  I always dreamed of owning a Benz and this car I saw and loved it. After driving it for couple weeks now I have no regrets. Ride and Handling is perfect. Price is very reasonable for the car.

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  CLK320 - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By jim l - December 19 - 7:46 am

  This CLK 320 convertible was a definite surprise. The power and ride are much above expectations. No longer feel I made a mistake in selling my 911 to make room for this excellent Mercedes product.

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  Great Car - 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By carnut100 - December 17 - 11:30 pm

  This is also my 3rd SL of this series (prev 04 and 06). Tried to swith to either XKR or 650. Just not comparable. Love the improved handling, firmer brakes and increased power. Quality still perfect. Note to other buyers. Make sure you get the Michelin Tires (versus Continentals). Better ride.

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  I love this SUV - 2005 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Robin Waggoner - December 17 - 3:13 am

  This is my second Mercedes. My first was the C-Class which I loved and than our family expanded and I had to have another Mercedes. This SUV is all that I wanted and more!! I got the sport edition and love the inside interior. This SUV feels safe when you drive it down the road. Everything that I wanted.

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  E55 Review - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By L Osmont - December 16 - 6:30 am

  The automotive know-how that went into this car is simply amazing. It is incredibly versatile and user friendly. It will willingly comply whether you want to go slow and smooth or fast and hard. The fit and finish is superior and the outside looks elegant and powerful. The engine is scarily powerful. You will NEVER AGAIN wish you had more horsepower at your disposal, and braking is very authoritative. This is an everyday car, a super car, a family car and a commuter car all in one.

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  Fun to drive - 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Bayoudude - December 15 - 10:46 am

  This is car is amazing. It has great pick up, amazing sound system, and great standard features. Its fun to drive and gets many looks. I have had it for almost two months and it keeps getting better with time. I find myself making excuses so I can go drive the car. Well worth the price.

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  hte best suv - 2004 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
  By coolcat - December 15 - 10:00 am

  this is one of the best cars i have i think like it more then my ferrari but i dont know

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  Nice - 2004 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
  By JessV - December 15 - 10:00 am

  real nice car i got for my 16th birthday

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  Excellent Choice - 2004 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
  By Susana Li - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Overall its drives excellent and handles the road almost as good as the hummer. Its different and you wont see everyone with it. When your driving through the city everyone knows this person has style, class and must be extremely wealthy and powerful. Its a beauty well worth the money. Did I mention the package that this beauty comes with, forget about it!! its to die for, you cant go wrong. Its better than a lease... Youll never know or understand what I mean until you either test drive it or hell, " just go buy one and feel the comfort and enjoyment me and my wife feel each and every day. Take Care, Andy

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  g500 fun - 2004 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
  By endever - December 15 - 10:00 am

  a blast to drive, and a real head turner