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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  Wow, I love my car - 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By mycar08 - November 25 - 3:33 am

  We just picked up my CLS550 at the factory in Stuttgart. What a moving experience. I cried as they drove this incredible vehicle into the delivery area. No other MB looked as classy. After reading reviews on Edmunds.com, we did the European Delivery Plan. This saved us 7% percent and we had a chance to drive it on the Autobahn for 2 weeks.(Must keep speed under 100mph for first 1,000 miles.) This car is amazing and beautiful. Everywhere we drove, people complimented us on it. The European version, CLS350 sells for about the same price in Europe, as the CLS550 in the U.S. Its well worth waiting 8-10 weeks for delivery in Dallas. Ill probably cry all over again.

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  excellent car in every way - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Anne Alden - November 24 - 3:36 pm

  Ive leased a lot of high end cars and just recently bought a used 1999 E430 with 115K miles on it. Most people say dont buy a car with high miles, but it is when purchasing a used car I have found it is more than just miles, but maintenance, records, etc. This car was well maintained and taken to the dealer for repairs, garage kept. I love this car and had it checked out thoroughly by a mechanic before purchasing. I will never buy a new car again. This car is great to drive, beautiful and sophisticated. If you buy a used car, make sure to check it out thoroughly before purchasing so you dont have any surprises because the repairs are costly. Do your due diligence.

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  Love this car - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By srsmartin - November 24 - 7:03 am

  This cars average mileage for its first 51,000 miles is 30,6. On the highway I get 41+ at 70 mph. Add Mercedes legendary comfort and handling and this is a great car. I bought it used in 2009 from a dealer with a full MB warranty for $28 k. Ill never buy a new one again! It is my fourth Benz/first diesel, and I am now a diesel convert. Why drive anything else?

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  Grey Ghost aka GL450 - 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By terp97 - November 24 - 12:51 am

  Turned in 08 for a new 11 and once again very happy. Navigation is improved but still short of Acura/Lexus. Rear Entertainment screens are nicer but placement is horrible. They should have stayin the headrest. DVD in the center counsel is great location and it would be nice to control the DVD playback from the command not just from one of two remotes. It would be nice if the 550 grill and fender flares could be had as in option. The grill is massive and really sets the GL off with out sucking up all that gas like the 550 not that the 450 is any better.

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  merc clk200 - 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By toot - November 23 - 5:03 pm

  wicked car with everything. it is brilliant man. check it out. it is the best.

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  Happy First Benz Owner - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By aahinton - November 23 - 1:20 pm

  The truth be know everyone knows me as Mr. Frugal. I have to say that my Mercedes-Benz C230 Sport Sedan is one of the best non-investment purchases that I have ever made. Besides the heads that turn every time I pass anyone, this vehicle is a real treat to own. It has good low-end torque, its braking is exellent, it handles nice, and gets great gas milage. Lets face it, when it comes to performance the Germans are tops. This car should be on you must test drive list. The only complaint I have, is that Im 61 and I could use a little more leg room, but other that that its perfect...and it fit into Mr. Frugals budget. This is a great car.

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  Still Looks & Drives Great! - 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By realrideracing - November 23 - 9:58 am

  It seems that the W208 class (1998 - 2002)Mercedes Benz CLK has built up quite a following. Whenever I browse through the Mercedes Benz forums, theres no shortage of diehard W208 fans. Weve had ours for a few years and love it still. With nearly 125,000 miles on the odometer, she seems like shell do another 125,000 miles easily. Keep up on maintenance and youll have no problems with the car. Acceleration is better than our newer E-Class. But the short wheel base of the CLK makes it a harsher ride. We have the AMG wheel package so that doesnt help. Like all MBZ cars, steering response isnt very sharp but once you get used to it, this car just corners like its on rails!

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  Awsome Offroad - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Scottsdale, AZ - November 23 - 2:00 am

  Shortly after purchasing this I got a lot of flack for buying a 4 wheel drive car that most people never take off- road. Living in the desert I quickly put them all to shame when I drove my ML through a wash that 2 lifted pick up trucks were currently stuck in and then proceded to do a 12 mile treck through the desert on a trail that was "Jeep Recomended". This SUV is the best SUV on the market. It has amazing off-road capabilities, a very comfortable interior, a powerful engine, and hardly any problems. But, what else would you expect from the vehicle the German military relies on.

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  AMG 2003 SL55 - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Bill Dritz - November 23 - 2:00 am

  An absolute riot to drive, but with all of the solidness we have all come to know in every Mercedes Benz car.

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  I LOVE IT!!! - 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By MEJO - November 22 - 10:00 am

  After going back and forth between the ML320 and the Lexus RX 300 I feel we made the best decision. The free maintance more than makes up for the price difference. It drives very smooth and easy to whip into parking spaces. We are now a Mercedes-Benz family for life.