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 Car - 2005 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By CPad - May 17 - 9:33 am

  I bought my ML with 35K miles on it and its been the absolute best car Ive ever owned. I love the solid feel (others descriptions of a tank are accurate) and I feel completely safe in this vehicle. It handles beautifully in the wet, snowy weather in my area. I too have had trouble with the flaking on the back windows but thats about it cosmetically. The car handles like a dream and has enough horsepower to get me out of a tough place if I ever find myself in one. Cant seem to find a phone that works thru the speaker feature tho...

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  A great little car - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Robert D. Frank - May 15 - 6:20 pm

  I eagerly awaited the arrival of this car as I made my selection while it was on the ship. I have not been disappointed. It handles well, has superb performance, and gets 29.5/30 mpg on the highway. I love the way it drives, the way it looks, and the compliments I receive from friends. The longest trip I have taken was over 7 hours on some rough back roads and it was a comfortable trip. The workmanship is excellent, with not one problem to report after 8,000 miles. It is one of the best car buying decisions I have made in my 47 years of buying cars.

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  Didnt Expect It! - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Bill - May 15 - 12:56 pm

  I went from an SUV into this C-class sedan, and it has been a great surprise. I feel secure and safe in this vehicle. I never understood what the term "hugs the road" meant until I drove this car. What a fun car to drive. The interior is as beautiful and as classy as the exterior.

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  Expensive, but very fun - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Nick Marden - May 15 - 6:00 am

  I got this car in Feb 2005 - one of the first 2006 E350s to come off the boat in America. I had held off choosing between the 2005 model year E320 and E500 because I felt that there must be a better solution with more horsepower than the E320 but less cost than the E500. Sure enough, waiting one model year was worth it, because the E350 hits that sweet spot right between the old E320 and the E500.

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  GOOD WORKHORSE - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By SAL - May 15 - 3:53 am

  This was my first mercedes. I have leased 3 more new ones since.I bought it with 10300 miles on it. yes I have put some $$ in it,however never cheated. Always serviced by Mercedes Dealer( same dealer). Most important is not to use after market parts. as long as you stay with real Mercedes parts your car will appreciate it and you will too.Only problem I have; it has too much power! feels like 8 cylinder. Very balance and wont skip. I feel safe driving it. Responsive steering and brake system gives you confidence. even new ones are much more reliable, ( i have 2008 CLK) How ever it is fun to drive this one.

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  Excellent - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By mike murphy - May 15 - 2:40 am

  Handles like a dream. Great pickup, great gas mileage for a high performance car. Comfortable seats - surprisingly roomy in the back. Stereo system is excellent has Bose speakers -- great sound.

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  1999 C280 - 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By c4drm - May 15 - 2:00 am

  This is my families 1st and will likely be our last Mercedes. This car was a peach when purchased used, low miles and in great shape. However it has been nothing short of a complete disapointment. Far too many problems and a rapping when getting repairs. Ive had my Toyota for 8 years and have already spent more on repair costs on the Mercedes in the 2 years Ive had it. And I have had it with this car. If you have one, best of luck.

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  500 S coupe - 1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By chet snavely - May 14 - 10:13 pm

  This is the most amazing car I have ever owned. I love the size of the interior and firm comfort of the seats. The acceleration and performance is excellent. It is even good in the snow. Mechanically it has been no problem whatsoever. Tire wear has even been minimal. I still have the car because I can not find another that tempts me more than what I have. I dont think Mercedes has been able to improve on this overall car. Theyve tried and failed in my opinion. This is a great one.

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  Totaly in Love - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Jaygee - May 14 - 10:00 am

  I thought I was in love before with my 2002 CLK 430, but nothing compares to this ride. I was kind of skeptical, only because the 2002 model seemed a bit more sleek from the back, but once yiu ride it, nothing compares to it.

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  clk55amg - 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By ReneeGlenn - May 14 - 10:00 am

  This is a fun car to drive. excellent quality, handles wonderful. I would highly reccomend to anyone.