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 Thought I Bought a German Built Car - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By knoxville - November 29 - 10:00 am

  Overall disappointed with the quality of the car. Paint job is poor and radio has fail within first 500 miles. Would Not buy a MB in the future. Acura or any Japanese car tops the physdo German car mfg.

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  Small problems excepted - 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Mike Y - November 28 - 11:03 pm

  I was in love with this car since I first saw it 6 years ago. The looks are incredible. I bought it last March. I kept getting a check engine light - turned out to be a recall that was never corrected. The wheels have been balanced 6 times, and theyre still a little bit off. I bought an after market warranty that I have used several times. All of these little problems aside - it is the best looking car in the world, and it turn heads. I love the feeling of driving a Mercedes

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  A Lemon - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By Faye Powell - November 28 - 3:26 pm

  I liked driving the R350. It turns on a dime. I am shaken with apprehension because of the electrical problems that I have experienced with this car. I have had the car in my possession since January. I have never taken the car out of town because I feel it will break down. The last breakdown was in the evening when my daughter was driving the car on a busy road in town. The power went out. She lost the steering and it was a miracle that she did not have a very bad accident. This is the second major electrical breakdown. The car was recalled for inspection soon after I took ownership of the the lease. There have been other electrical problems.

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  Happy with E320 wagon - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By slo456 - November 28 - 4:03 am

  This has turned out to be an excellent purchase choice for a luxury car. Went with a wagon instead of a sedan and very happy to have done so. Much more flexible, better ride and handling. Constant 24 to 26 mpg on daily 30 mile freeway commute. Best mileage on long trips around 28 to 29 mpg. The electric rear tailgate door is a must. Makes grocery trips and other loading with hands full a breeze. Very comfortable ride and handling in town and out on the open road.

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  Surperb Benz! - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Beachboy - November 28 - 2:50 am

  I love my C-Class! Its fun to drive and feels/looks like a shrunken S-Class. It is first-class luxury at a great price. I really enjoy the touch-shift feature. Mercedes-Benz has a hit with this one. It tops the Lexus ES-300 that I used to own (the new ES-300 looks too much like a cheap Camry or Maxima).

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  GL450 Electronics problems continue!!!! - 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By fwg - November 27 - 2:49 pm

  I have experienced seemingly unending electronic failure issues with only 5,000 miles on vehicle: Failure to go into sleep mode causing dead battery;towed to dealer 200 mi. away, MB refused to return to my location; When vehicle is locked, one door, although locked, causes alarm and will open if handle is touched, even if EasyGo key is not present; Adaptive High Beam headlight failure; Rear tailgate opens with driver door occasionally; When spraying the car with water, while washing, doors lock and unlock continually if you have key in pocket; circuit board replaced, issue continues- another appt. made Where is the quality control?

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  2006 CPO C280 - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By JT - November 27 - 12:50 pm

  I purchased this one year old former dealer loaner after an extensive online search. Ive mostly owned Japanese cars before, with one long term Volvo. This MB, like the Volvo, is a drivers car, not an owners car. It handles beautifully, is a great highway cruiser, is sharp looking and, so far, trouble free. I didnt get awd, tho Im now in the snowbelt, and I dont take it out in the snow much at all. Its fine around town, but its real strength is on the highway, very solid and sure, a real pleasure to drive. If it remains trouble free it will be a winner.

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  "Finest engineering MB car...." - 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By inftell - November 27 - 7:13 am

  I owned 2008 E-350 class. I have maintain this car perfectly. Since purchasing the car I had several annoying problems which where fixed at the MB dealer ship at inflated prices. However the last episode was the Break down of the car REAR DIFFERENTIAL AT$4300.- COST.This is an extreme case of part breakdown which can not be justified especially when buying "fine engineering car....."

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  I like this baby Benz! - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By W203V6 - November 26 - 5:50 pm

  I got the 2006 C230 Sport Sedan with 6 speed manual, The shifter is kind of short and hard. Its like you have a aftermarket short shifter! I love it ! The new 2.5 V6 is NOT fast than the I4 w/supercharger. But I feel more power on the high end. The sports tuned suspension may be too hard for some people, but its a lot of better than my EVO 8! The ride is smooth on freeway. If the power is not something you looking for. The C230 sport sedean is very nice in and out! Just not as fast as Volvo S40 T5 or BMW 330i!

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  Not a happy MB consumer - 2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Unhappy - November 26 - 12:53 am

  Bought the car with 48000 miles, and have replaced every light at least once. One electrical problem after another. Paint is the worst I have every seen, chipping. Everytime there is a problem cost is at minimum $1,000. I would NEVER own another MB. Overrated poorest quality car I have ever owned.