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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  sebaplus - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By seba - October 12 - 2:00 am

  sublime styling & performance

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  ELECTRONICS PROBLEMS ON CL - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By CLAUDE - October 12 - 2:00 am

  ABC FAILT TWICE WINDOW GLASS HAD DIFFERENT COLORS SOME NOISE UNDER HOOD

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  i love it! - 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By patricia biafora - October 12 - 2:00 am

  i love this car it is fun and looks great. we are so impressed with the model. our friends who have seen the car feel in love with it also!

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  My Fifth Benz - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By LHANN - October 11 - 4:30 pm

  This is my 5th Benz and is beyond all expectations. (I drove my last one 250,000 miles so this one is several generations advanced). It handles like it is on rails and when I need the acceleration it is more than ample. The navigation system is the best and most intuitive that I have seen and wouldnt be without that accessory. And anyone who complains about cup holders shouldnt be driving a Benz. I prefer that it didnt have cup holders because I dont indulge the distraction of coffee, etc. while driving and I prefer that my passengers refrain from spilling latte on the interior.

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  An amazing value when purchased used! - 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By Drew - October 11 - 10:02 am

  I bought a 2014 GL 550 w/ 40K miles in 2017 for $55K (original MSRP $95K in 2014 -- sharp depreciation!). Had been part of MBs certified vehicle offering. What a spectacular vehicle for the money! This big MB is so fast, and handles so incredibly well that I find Texass top, 80-mph speed limit to be frustratingly low. Although intended for the US market, this twin-turbo V8 with wide, performance tires would be more at home at much higher speeds on Germanys autobahns. The brakes are every bit as impressive as the engine. In addition to almost preternatural performance for such a big vehicle, the interior comforts are also great, starting with the Harmon Kardon stereo, but also the massaging, heated & cooled seats, and triple sunroof. Im not a fan of the cumbersome navigation system, however, and children over twelve are uncomfortable in the third-row seats. Finally, the MB dealer here in San Antonio has been delightful to deal with for routine maintenance.

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  Love this car - 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By MBSC - October 10 - 9:53 pm

  My husband & I love this car. If we didnt have to think about the cost of gas, wed be thinking up places to drive to. Overall, a great, fun to drive car. The other AM, we went out, and I looked at my husband, noticed his expression, and said, "you just love this car, dont you?" He smiled and said "I do." It is comfortable, and well, so intelligent. When going downhill and gathering speed, the engine doesnt upshift, when braking, the engine slows too. It pulls you through curves. Our MPG is better than advertised.

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  The Nicest Terrible Car I Ever Owned - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By INVNTDTHWHL - October 10 - 11:13 am

  I bought this Benz used in 2006 and it was in really good condition and low miles. Ever since then it has slowly fallen apart. Mechanically it is decent other than the expensive maintenance but the fit and finish of the car is sub par. Everything form the trim to the cup holders to the seats have broken at one time or another. This is the bottom of the MB line-up and it shows. They really just cranked these out and spit them at the consumers without quality control. Makes me never want to buy a MB or any German car for that matter again. What a shame.

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  awesome - 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By sr - October 10 - 10:00 am

  awesome car! Love it-except for the goofy cup holder design! Good ride, comfy seats!

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  ILovaMyBenzs - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By JoshsBenz10 - October 8 - 12:53 am

  I bought this car for myself on my 21st birthday. I traded in a 2004 SLK320 that I loved!Its a beautiful looking car of course just like all the other Mercedes. Anyhow the car had just under 30k when I bought it and now has almost 40k. No problems at all.Tires stink and need to be changed to something better. Xenon headlights I think should be standard in a MB. Maintenance costs is of course expensive but your not driving a Honda after all. I love the ride and tight feel of the car overall. I feel safe and secure.Mine is black on black with limo tint so its pretty sexy. Rims are really nice too. Rain sensing wipers are very annoying but otherwise great car.Benz all the way. Buy one youll love it!!!

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  Mercedes "gets it"! - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By GLK - October 7 - 1:00 pm

  Having gone slowly but surely from a loved but boring GMC Suburban, to a loved but unreliable GMC Envoy, to a "too small" and uncomfortable Lexus RX330, the Mercedes R-Class hits our family needs just right. The occaisional need to 6 passenger seating is achieved naturally, without indecent human acts. And is this car a luxury winner. It is simply fabulous...everything the RX330 wasnt: roomy, good in snow, a head turner, and fabulous comfort and luxury.