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:

• 

  Hot Ride - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Fun Ride - April 15 - 5:00 pm

  Looks, looks, looks. Thats what the new C350 has going for it. I love the AMG styling, handling, and sportiness. Sometimes the suspension beats you up on PA potholes, but Im used to driving a heavier car. Its lightening fast too. MPG is a bit low for a car, but performance makes up for it. Wish the interior was just a bit more posh vs. functional, but the new NAV is leaps and bounds ahead of old MB designs. Overall, I would recommend this car. Its a Mercedes, and surprisingly affordable vs the competition!! Go for it. Palladium Silver is a beautiful color.

• 

  Superb Car - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By PGC1877 - April 14 - 6:53 pm

  The power and sophistication of this diesel motor must be experienced to be believed. Why M-B does not offer this motor in more body styles is beyond me.

• 

  S500 What a Great Car, an "A" grade - 2006 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Donisland - April 12 - 2:26 am

  The ride is velvety smooth and luxurious. I have never driven a car so comfortable, quiet, smooth shifting and excellent. The front and back have a large amount of roominess with all this comfort. It smeels of luxury. It has plenty of power, so when you want to go fast, itll do it easily. It has 3 driving settings: Comfort, Sport 1 (firm driving) and Sport 2 (more firm driving) which makes it so much more fun.

• 

  First Mercedes, not to happy - 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Simon - April 11 - 7:25 am

  Good: my average 30 m/g and the record on hwy 44 m/g, led light, sound with package Bad: eco stop/start was fixed by the dealer by replacing main computer, waiting for replacing hinge of the passenger door, start some engine noise on idle, bad driver seats(too tight), bad wipers response and too slow on heavy rain, wind noise, GPS by Garmin(do not buy it)

• 

  350 - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By res - April 11 - 2:00 am

  nice ride, a few maintenance issues no real complaints

• 

  Well, If You Must Know.... - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By dwild - April 10 - 4:44 pm

  I bought the 99 MB E320, with 98,000 miles on it. I have owned this vehicle for over 6 years. Had to replace the AC / $1500.00, replaced the belt / $700.00..routine oil changes / every 4-5 months / $98.00 per service, need motor mounts, need electric work on brake lights, paint is severely peeled on top, front and back hood / paint job: $1500. But, as for the driving of the car? Well, I now have $219800 miles on it. It still drives smoothly, very powerful, very safe, handles extremely well. Yeah, it needs some cosmetic work, but, this is the most reliable, safest car that I have ever driven! I believe that with continued routine maintenance, I could drive it another 220,000 miles..easy

• 

  Love it ! - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Mercedes - April 10 - 2:36 am

  This was a perfect fit for me. My kids are grown and have cars of there own so it was my turn for the car of my dreams. I could have spent a lot more but thought why bother? It is equipped with everything I need for a lot less money . If you are driving people around all the time the pricier car will might suit your needs but cant really see it for a 50s woman that just likes to travel alone! Germany makes the best cars in the world. Glad I own one !

• 

  Absolutely Amazing! - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By nd - April 7 - 8:13 am

  Just bought it and I love it. It is really fun to drive. The interior is very comfortable and all components are at your fingertips. The gear shift is innovative and easy to use. I love the new design. In fact, I cant stop looking at it, and its the same for other drivers. Excellent performance. The ride is so smooth even at high speed. Engine is real quiet but purrs upon acceleration. I would recommend this car to anyone.

• 

  It Will Save Your Life! - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By joe - April 7 - 3:06 am

  Faster than a speeding bullet. Finest ride in the world. This Mercedes truly lives up to what the Europeans say: Theres Mercedes and then theres the rest. It is safe, quiet. The diesel sounds sexier and quieter than a gas engine, and the turbo makes it faster. I pay 23 cents less a gallon than I do for BMW guzzling Z4 BMW. Buy this car, it will save your soul.

• 

  Great Truck - 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By DAVID - April 7 - 1:23 am

  This is the third SUV I have owned and by far the best that I have test driven or owned. The options do run up the price, but all of the large luxury SUVs cost big bucks. The GL drives and feels like a MB, is fast quiet, and roomy. Backup camera is a must. Great sound system. Nav system is easy once you learn it.