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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  Great value for the money - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By rock7111 - August 13 - 2:33 pm

  Take the time to test drive one of these if you have not already. Dont be mislead by reading the reviews for the coupe variant of the C-Class; that coupe was an abortion of a vehicle and shouldve never been built. I know because I traded one in for this sedan. I decided to give MB one more shot and Im glad that I did. The C- Class sport sedan is a stunning machine. The interior is finely crafted; the engine is smooth & responsive despite being supercharged. Road noise is very low, and if you get the entertainment package, prepared to be wowed by the audio. If you cant stomach the 06 pricing, look for one of these 05 beauties on the pre-owned lot - you will not be disappointed.

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  Mercedes or Ford Topaz - 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By CLK AMG 55 Owner - August 12 - 10:56 am

  I did not like the body style from the start, but I bought one anyway, fully loaded with everything possible. I paid $97,484 for this car. The dealership went through all the details how to operate the radio etc., but it was very confusing and illogical how to use all the features, I drove this car very little, it was slow for a supposed fast car. I put 130 miles on it and the speedomer stuck on 20MP. Took it back to the dealer, they had to put in a whole new assembly. Did not like this car. It is way overpriced and not easy to see out of or drive. I sold it back to dealer for 65,000 taking a 30,000 loss, better than 50K loss this car is not worth more than 30k.

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  Excellent Car, exceeds my expectations! - 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
  By thinkthebeach - August 12 - 9:50 am

  I bought this car last week with about a 46k sticker price, fully loaded. I absolutely love the car. Great ride, handling, and overall a solid car. This car has exceeded my expectations. Interior quality is above par, the lighting both inside and outside is sophisticated. Very quick for a 4 cyl. The only thing I am getting used to is the ECO start stop feature, and the fact that I seem to be getting about 22mpg city right now, but have been told it just needs to break in first. Anybody who seems to review this car in a negative way is just holding standards too high. I mean, the car does start at 30k, so what do you expect....its clearly not an 85k car. But I couldnt be happier.

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  2007 E350 - 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By firstbenz - August 12 - 4:36 am

  I bought a 2007 E350 with 50,195 miles on it. At 59,000 miles the check engine light came on. Found out the car needed a new manafold because of some small plastic movement flap broke. Also, needed to purchase a Valvle Body Assembly for the transmission. Cost $2,800 dollars. Found out the Engine Light came on at 50,195 miles and a dealer told me that is why they traded the car. He stated any thing over 50,000 miles is out of warranty. I exspected more from Mercedes. It is a simular reason I stoped buying BMWs 30 years ago.

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  Pure Aggrevation - 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Germer - August 12 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has been in the shop more times than I can count. I just thank God I purchased the extended warranty. Not a month goes by without some problem, be it heated seats not working to transmision/brakes etc..My advise would be not to even consider buying this car. Its extremely unreliable - Couldnt unload it fast enough. MB did not do their job

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  The everything vehicle - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By gmerge - August 12 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle satisfies the following; 1. It is a luxury sedan with snob appeal 2. It is as solid as a tank 3. It is among the safest of all cars 4. It is my SUV (all wheel drive) 5. It is my convertable( w/sunroof) 6. It is quick (0-60 in 7.5 sec) 7. It is fast (over 135mph) 8. It my economy car (27.5mpg hwy) 9. It has held 70% of purch.$ after 4yrs

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  owner - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Roxanne Haueisen - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Overall, I have found the M-class to be a very enjoyable and reliable car to own. The only problem I have had is with the coolant light coming on and the dealership has resolved the problem quickly and professionally. The interior is very comfortable and user- friendly. It handles more like a car than a truck and overall is a smooth ride. Gas mileage is average, could be better.

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  New C-320 4matic - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By 96 benz - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I traded in the the 96 C280 on a C3204matic.Love all the new safety equipment--brake assist,ESP,8 airbags,6 disc CD changer,etc. After driving RWD Benzs for 15 yrs this AWD is like learning how to drive all over again. Its fabulous! However this car has a VERY annoying glare from the dash onto the windshield--seems to be there nearly all the time. MB needs to go back to black at the top dashes as VW,Audi,BMW and several Japanese cars have done.

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  ODE2JOY -- my 2004 C-320 Ssport Sedan - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Richard F. Gimmi - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Although the gas mileage isnt quite as good as my two previous Mercedes (a 1988 E-320 and a 2001 E-320) the performance -- steering, cornering, acceleration, and stopping characteristics are much better; therefore, making this C-320 Sport Sedan much fun to drive. Also, I think, it looks terrific; particularly, with the 17 inch differential rim size front and rear wheels. The wheels combined with high performance tires along with a sport-tuned suspension system provide outstanding road manners. Oh, by the way, ODE2JOY is the SC license tag that this car carries.

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  Theres Nothing Like A Mercedes - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Vince J. P - August 12 - 2:00 am

  The C240 has the perfect balance of luxury and sport. I wouldnt drive any thing else.