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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  A Rocket with Class - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By mcrosson - June 18 - 1:33 pm

  I recently bought an 06 CL55 AMG with low miles. It is the best looking big coupe MB has ever built, far better looking than the current body style, in my opinion. It is an absolute blast to drive... it has tremendous power and torque, faster than a speeding bullet and able to leap tall buildings in single bounds. It makes you feel like a superman driving it. The AMG seats are the best Ive ever sat in, with more adjustments available than a chiropractor. The only downside to the vehicle is the gas mileage - 17 in the city, 19- 20 highway. When you pay $75 to fill a 21.5 gallon tank, it kind of hurts. Until you press the engine start button. That that big grin takes over.

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  Gl 450 Major problems - 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By tnance - June 18 - 12:20 pm

  I purchased the Gl 450 4.7 Ltr about 1 year ago. It has spent over 2.5-3 months at the dealership while attempting to fix electronic problems. While driving the vehicle it would surge and then the warning lights would start lighting up like Christmas. The lights warned of the following failures ABS, Air bags to many to name they were all on. Then a big red box on the led would state drive to the dealership immediatly without shifting gears, how you do that in an automatic Im still trying to figure out. We live in an isolated state with few roads and long distances between help. My faith in the Gl is gone! Hope no one else has experienced this. It still looks nice parked in my garage.

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  Amazing Feeling - 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Javed - June 17 - 5:50 pm

  I switched from an Audi A8L to this magnificent ride-what a difference. Driving this car makes you feel so calm and relaxed. Very minimal road noise. This car is so great-I dont know what I will upgrade to, when time to change it will come

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  Smooth and solid - 2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By oliverp - June 16 - 2:13 pm

  After 1700 miles I can say this is a solid, safe, smooth package. The V6 turbo diesel, 7 speed transmission and AWD are a remarkable combination. The engine stays between 1,200 and 2,200 rpm most of the time, and with barely noticeable shifts or sound. The transmission provides engine braking automatically. Air suspension is adaptable and smooth. I drove up and down snowy, unplowed hilly roads all day yesterday without slips or slides, mostly in the Airmatic raised position. Surprisingly tight turning radius. Mileage 22-25 mixed Seating is very comfortable and interior appointments (brushed aluminum/ ultrasuede) are striking. Nice cargo management system. No defects at 1750 miles.

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  European Delivery on 230 Kompressor - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By L.A. - June 16 - 10:30 am

  I took delivery at the plant in Sttutgart , receiving the royal treatment there, including a full tank of gas. Took off for Berlin inmediately in the Autobahn. Got it in the States for Christmas. Performance is beyond my expectations, handling , braking and high speed acceleration are superb and so is confort. Front seats can be stretched to form a bed for a quick nap in rest areas. Very thrifty on gas specially in the 60 miles range.

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  Chinese parts - 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By richgaz - June 15 - 10:30 am

  Just had 6 essential relays replaced all from China. The car has been in the MB shop for two weeks now trying to find other problems. Never had a brand new car not start. THis problem has brought to light that MB probably has chinese parts splattered all over. So why does this car cost so much? Germans think they can out engineer bad parts. Hardly. I will not but another MB. Over priced for cheap parts - and they still fail no matter how well the design.

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  Nice Car, Could be better for the price - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By indianguy - June 15 - 5:26 am

  Bought it used 22K Miles (Paid 17.5K - yeah rubbing it in) Car is fun to drive, perfect for the Driver who wants a sports car which can also drive like a luxury car when you need it. I have always been a Lexus owner, the one thing that stands up when I get into the C350 is the Plastic. Even my 8 yr old RX doesnt look this cheap inside.

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  g55 - 2004 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
  By C.J - June 14 - 10:00 am

  This is the ultimate SUV, it knocks the socks off the Range Rover and the X-5. Performance-wise theres nothing like it on the road, and definitely nothing like it off road.

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  Wow power - 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Cdr. - June 14 - 10:00 am

  The same advice they give jet pilots. When you pass another car be sure to be thinking where you will be, not where you are. It is so fast and powerful that unless you want to race a top fueler at the local drag strip you dont need more power or speed. This car handles so well you have to remember not to nod off thinking it is driving itself. Spending this kind of money seems overkill until you drive and drive and keep looking forward to driving it again. What a rush. No regrets and letss face it, the looks on the drivers of the "Zs" is precious as they do a double and triple take while eyeing the sparkling AMG on the stern. Ever fishtail doing 70 and stomping on it? This does it!

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  Average - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Dave Kim - June 14 - 10:00 am

  Good power. Good pickup. Great on the freeway. Very sporty looking and comfortable. May be too many unecessary features. However, car vibrates at 40 miles an hour. The dealer could not find any problems.