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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  Awsome ML320 y2000 - 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Doug Thomas - April 23 - 10:00 am

  This SUV (2000) is by far the most outstanding vehicle in the SUV class. I have been in, driven, and tested others both on and off road. The ML320 has the most outstanding combination of off- road and on-road, convenience, safty, and comfort. Did I mention safty? The ESP is awsome and has proven itself to me (no details). Everything in this vehicle is quality. From the wheels to the door knobs. The electronics are also awsome and never fail. kudos...

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  E320 2003 - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Stefano Vranca - April 23 - 10:00 am

  I had my e320 for just over 5 months and I had to sell it. Car feels heavy on accelaration but performs fine after you reach about 40mph. Gas mileage is horrible especially if you live in LA (like myself). Interior are beutiful and elgant. I had a lot of electrical problem related to my CD and on board computer. Had to take the car in four times! I do not recommend this car.

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  It doesnt get any better then this - 2005 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By HK - April 22 - 2:30 am

  This is without a doubt the most exciting car I have ever owned or driven. Just seeing the letters "AMG" when I get into the car every day makes me a happy commuter. I may go broke with the incredibly high fuel consumption, but it will be with a smile. Great acceleration yet luxurious enough to commute in. Easier to service and more fun to drive then the Maseratis and comparable to the DB9 (but with room for golf clubs). Much better looking then the 645i. Get it.

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  I love My Mercedes - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Lisa Margolis - April 21 - 3:06 pm

  I love my Mercedes. I have always been a truck woman, but this car has turned me around 100%. Handling, sound system, ability to handle the snow (with snow tires) is fabulous!

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  Elegance, power and prestige - 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By MOISES MALOWANY - April 20 - 10:30 pm

  A great car to drive if you enjoy driving! Power all around. At start, when passing in tight driving areas, and superb handling. All at a very reasonable miles per gallon. Average city and highway about 21 mls/gl. One of the best Mercedes I ever drove.

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  CLS 500 - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By Doug - April 19 - 6:40 am

  This car is unbeleivably fast and extremely fun to drive. Ive owned a Lexus LS 430 and this car is superior to the 430. Its aerodynamic design is absolutely gorgeous. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone.

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  old to new - 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By jamiebutlr - April 17 - 2:00 am

  having owned a 1978 280 CE for some years, decided to try daimler-chrysler product with minimal research and many test drives. This is still a Mercedes, no doubt with loader, yet responsive supercharged 4-cyl. Great fun and similar timeless design and quality to my dearly departed 1978

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  Jays review - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By JayMB - April 17 - 2:00 am

  All in all excellent car

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  Excellent - 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By mike7705 - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I have wanted to buy a SL500 for a few years and when I saw the redesigned version I did so. Absolutely the best car I have ever owned.

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  Wonderful Car - 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By BCP - April 15 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car! Fun to drive, lots of power and very smooth and quiet. Seems to be most happy at about 80 mph on the highway. Gets 29mpg at that speed. I am 64" tall and have no problem getting comfortable. Quality is very high although I have had some problems with interior rattles. The dealer took care of them at the first service. My only complaint is the door sills seem to get dirty very easily with scuff marks from my and my passengers shoes. I think it is related to the type of plastic that is used. Otherwise, I have no complaints and enthusiastically recommend this car.