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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  love the E class 320 - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By billc1975 - December 12 - 8:01 pm

  had my 99 E-320 for 2 years now it has 94k miles , ive had to put around 6k in repairs into it because i plan on keeping this car a long time, it has never had a single mechanical problem, only a few electrical items, and thats to be expected if you dont take precaution in florida heat. ( i learned and since no problems) the only thing i didnt like were the seats, they could be a little more comfy, almost like a board with very thin padding over it, besides that, i have absolutely loved everything about this car, the pickup on takeoff is very strong, the ride is smooth, and the look elegant. i would recommend this car to anyone looking to keep a vehicle for the long haul, and hey..its a MB

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  A Nice New Benz - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By ianzbenz - December 12 - 1:46 pm

  Just got it just because, it was a great choice. But looking back I should have shopped around and thought more about my choices, the Volvo C70 is a few thousand cheaper with more features, but not as luxurious. And the Porsche Boxter had more performance, but not as many features. Overall I like my chioce, but test drive all convertibles in this class before you buy, to find the one that suits you best.

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  An excellent car that holds up well... - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By guile - December 12 - 10:03 am

  My car has been with me since brand new, now going on 142,000 miles and counting. Issues have been catalytic converter (under warranty), front headlights, steering linkage break, serpentine belt replacement (at 130,000 miles), leather interior cracking, faux leather on shift knob coming off, CD changer jamming, blower fuse melting and compressor breaking, and small ghosting on console display. Performance is decent for a car with 168hp. Gas mileage could be better but I drive like a maniac with quick acceleration so no fault of the car. Im pretty satisfied with the car and feel fortunate I dont have the issues so many others have. This car was manufactured in Brazil.

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  So Glad I Bought This Car - 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By kstall3 - December 12 - 5:57 am

  I bought this car with 90k miles and have driven it to 140k with only minor issues (headlight and window motor). The car will smoke about anything on the road and looks classy while doing so. I can get 25 MPG on the hwy, haul 4 adults and their stuff, and still toast all the Mustangs and the older Vettes. Routine maintenance is expensive - but tolerable. I am pretty sure this car will be remembered as a classic MB.

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  Mercedes CS - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By Mark Baugh - December 12 - 2:46 am

  This is the best production car ever made. The AMG handles with precision. The car enters the highway as a car should, with good power. The interior of the car is very comfortable. It is trimmed in suede and leather. On long hauls it makes the trip memorable.

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  The quickest family hauler for six. - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By Laurenz Peschke - December 10 - 9:40 pm

  Our requirements: comfort and room for 5 (3 kids, ages 5, 8, 10) plus dog, power, versatility for different needs; all-wheel drive, useful as commuter and travel vehicle. Went on two 800 mile trips, packed 4 people, their stuff, took the lab to the kennel, and continued the trip to pick up the other two incl. their stuff from camp without a roof carrier: it all fit. The R500 has superb handling, performance, and comfort for a vehicle this size. Even the kids prefer our R over our MDX. Gas mileage is better than advertised. I got 20.3 mpg over 300 miles at avg 64mph, including 40 miles city driving. Normal, passive town driving: 16mpg; aggressive: 13mpg. Love the design inside/out.

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  R-Class, Where you grow to after a van - 2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By Heris - December 10 - 4:46 pm

  My title says it all. The R-Class is the vehicle you grow to after the kids are too big for a van anymore. Teens now drive, theyre too cool and big to be climbing in a van and this is just perfect. Theres room for the drums and trips to the warehouse stores. Its not too tall so you dont get dirty getting stuff out of the back. Its better than a modern wagon. Its better than a van. Its better than I could ever imagine. Mercedes Benz is right on for the people that this was designed for but missing the marketing boat! They really need to interview some of us late 40s crowd. Have hand issues? Weak wrists? Carpal tunnel? Youll love how you shift gears in this jet. Lightly tap a button!

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  SMALL PROBLEMS ANNOY YOU - 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By ML320annoying - December 10 - 2:00 am

  I was surprised with the fact that I had to go back to my dealer several times a year starting from 2nd yr for small problems, such as window switch, door handle, equipment panel lights, brake light bulbs. It is really annoying and disappointing. Horsepower does not seem to be enough. Overall I like the car, its ext design, its handling as a SUV, and its Cargo space. Maybe ML 430 is better.

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  Pleasantly Surprised - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Dr.B - December 10 - 2:00 am

  Chose this over Lexus, BMW, and Audi. I live in the Rocky Mountains and get a good amount of snow. Ive always been partial to Audi (Quattro), but thought I would give the 4-Matic a try. Not a single complaint with the drive. Couldnt find a suitable BMW with AWD and a quiet ride. The bigger Lexus were only available in RWD and still felt too Japanese. Ive had 23 vehicles, including all the luxury brands, in the last 12 years and this is my favorite.

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  Sedan with great handling - 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By alandasaft - December 10 - 2:00 am

  is the best handling sedan ever drive, especially when driving with a stiffer suspension and change gear manually. However, the sitting positions are not as pleasant as previous model.