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:

• 

  OK ride - 2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By DG - October 6 - 12:00 am

  This vehicle is a somewhat marginal improvement over the 2004 model we had owned previously. The additional horsepower is welcomed and clearly evident over the 2004. The 7 speed transmission also boosted the long distance MPG to a surprising and respectable 31-32 average. If there is one complaint, it would be the excessive wind noise eminating from the driver side window. To date, all attempts to have the problem rectified have failed. I suppose we will have to just live with the problem until its time to trade again. However, this seemingly small defect will certainly impact our decision to buy a Benz in the future.

• 

  Problems and problems - 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By laurent2 - October 4 - 11:30 am

  Got this car and was really happy at first. During the winter the wiper motor broke. Replaced at 1700$. 6 months go by, the motor breaks again. Dealer says the motor broke because the mechanism broke first, No warranty. 1700$ again. Sent letters to the dealer and straight to MB Canada. Big step from them if they even acknowledged my request of refund. MB should really do something about their customer service. They might be selling cars, but they sure dont keep their customers.

• 

  Worst car I have ever purchased - 2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By BJR - October 4 - 10:00 am

  Purchased the car new, 2008. After 11 months the car stalled out on me while driving! I brought it to MB and they told me they fixed it. Happened again and again. Life threatening problem! I tried to get MB to switch out the car but no way. Too much to ask, being safe! MB put new tires on the vehicle and the back tire leaks bad. They cant fix a tire either! I have brought the car in I cant count how many times. Still leaks! Car swerves all over the place. Horrible service, MB corporate doesnt care about us either. Only the $$$$$. I went back to BMW. The "7" handles like a dream and I dont feel like I am putting my familys life in harms way. Never again Mercedes!

• 

  Love It - 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Glorious - October 2 - 9:40 pm

  As my first luxury car, I guess I jumped ahead. But I couldnt resist when I first drove it. In and out it has everything I could want. The seats look hand made with high quality leather, which gives it a great feel to it. The V8 AMG keeps up with M ustangs (not that Ive raced one...lol). If you love attention this a the car for you.

• 

  Great car!!! - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Hamlet Cabrera - October 1 - 3:45 am

• 

  Dream car - 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Don Theriault - September 30 - 11:06 pm

  I picked up the silver SL550 with the AMG sport package, panoramic roof and red interior Thursday, Aug. 17. 2006. I turned in my leased 02 Lexus SC430, which was the best car I ever owned for quality and fun. At this point, 1200 miles, I am still pinching myself. Awesome performance and I love just to stare at it. The gas mileage I had read was bad, but already I dont notice any difference from my Lexus 430 V8. The only thing I miss from the Lexus is the tilting down rear view mirrors when reversing.

• 

  2004 CL500 - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By cincy1 - September 30 - 2:00 am

  The CL500 comes close to meeting my expectations. Most features of this uber-machine are on a par with any super coupe on the planet. The exterior styling is elegant but understated. The engine and drivetrain are beyond comparison. The interior improvements over all other MB models sold me on the car. I am still disappointed that the floor carpeting and headliner material is less luxurious than my previous Lexus LS430. The dash (all leather), the seats, the center console and the instrument cluster are all amazing manifestations of the art of automotive design. Well done MB.

• 

  Perfect Car - 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By trd277 - September 30 - 2:00 am

  Best of all worlds! Incredibly fast, amazingly comfortable and beautiful too. Best car I have ever owned. Cruise comfortably or light up the tires and slide around the corner. You will not regret this purchase.

• 

  Jaisons review of 2000 S430 - 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By highstylinS430 - September 30 - 2:00 am

  This car is an escape of daily life. The Airmatic suspension provides a cloudlike ride over bumps and open highways. Having owned a 2000 S430, I have taken many long trips comfortably. However, seats are rock hard but durable for daily use. The S500 has softer Nappa seats (my choice). COMMAND occasionally gives incorrect directions but provides sense of security driving in an unknown area. Bose 10 speaker system provides deep, rich sound. This is a car anyone can enjoy. Ive enjoyed this car and will purchase again. Must have options: Xenon lights, cd- changer, Parktronic. Nice options to have: rear sunshade, reclining rear seats, multi-contour seats.

• 

  My 430 CLK Cabriolet - 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By shoper999 - September 30 - 2:00 am

  This is my 4th Mercedes and I absolutly LOVE this car.. even better than my SL.. Fast , and fun to drive.. The benefits of having a sports car with a back seat.. doesnt get better than this!!