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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  Turns heads - 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Drdave - August 28 - 10:00 am

  One design defect, the carbon cannister emission control makes loud clicking noise when vehicle at idle, dealer says a fix could come out in the future. For idle noise should have bought a Chevy!

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  Mecedes E-320 - 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By shill17 - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Reliable, comfortable, safe and manuverable. I have driven in every road condition and find I am as rested after a 3 hour drive as I would have been had I been a passenger.

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  CLS550 CLASSIEST AND BEST DESIGNED CAR I EVER OWNED - 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By abacomike - August 28 - 7:09 am

  Just purchased a new 2014 Mercedes CLS 550 (MSRP $82,210). I usually purchase E350 Sedans, but because of the superior, outstanding deal I got on this vehicle, I could not resist. First noticeable difference is the outstanding power and performance - 402 hp in a 4.7 liter V8. Fit and Finish are outstanding. Interior design and comfort in front seats is astounding. The ride is smoother and more refined than anything I have ever driven. The car is "dead-out" gorgeous. Safety features like lane-tracking, blind spot monitors and PARKTRONIC are comforting and impeccably designed. Harman/Kardon audio system is unsurpassed in clarity and sound separation. Best car I have ever owned.

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  2013 has been a Very Bad Year. - 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By cc57 - August 27 - 9:49 pm

  Purchased new, our 2008 GL320 has been eating us out of house and home in 2013. Since it hit 80,000 miles, weve had multiple, expensive repairs with each being about $1,500 to $1,800. In this order, left front air strut replaced, turbocharger replaced, fuel pump replaced, right front air strut and air compensator valve replaced. Both the turbo and fuel pump failures left us stranded and required towing it to the dealer. Unfortunately, we did not purchase the extended warranty as I thought that a diesel would be bulletproof. Obviously, I was very wrong.

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  Great SUV - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By GREAT SUV - August 26 - 4:50 pm

  After riding in the Lexus and BMW, this was the best and most fun to drive. It just says luxury. The controls could be better positioned, but overall its a great buy for the price.

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  Incredibly, a Mercedes thats good value - 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By scatback - August 26 - 2:50 pm

  This is a big SUV but very light on its feet. Good visibility, good steering and a great turning radius are all part of equation. The backup camera is excellent, the seating position very good, the performance as good with this V6 as my XC90 Volvo was with its V8 with about 20% better MPG. Also, very quiet at speed. The knock on Mercedes was a premium package that wasnt premium; but the premium one package now includes what most people want (except for HID headlights; shame, Mercedes!), and that makes it value for money. Ten thousand less than an X5. Navigation works well, but the scream you get when you press the Embrace button will make ear drums bleed. Whats up with that?

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  Beauty, Braun, Safety, and Performance - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By South Padregirl - August 25 - 7:50 pm

  I purchased this hot-rod in June 03, when MB still paid the maintenance, but the only two problems I were also paid under the warranty. I had two accidents in this car; the first a rear ending that threw the car into the backend of another, and the second when a Dodge Neon going 35 hit the right front. I walked away from each without injury and had the car repaired; Ive driven it forty thousand miles since; its never let me down, and I love it! Its such a little hot-rod, fun, so responsive and yet gets reasonable gas mileage, its best has been 28.5 for a six-hour trip. Someone is going get one sweetheart of a used car if they look past the CarFax. Its a strong little beauty still!

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  HAPPY AS A CLAM - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By CURMUDGEON - August 25 - 10:00 am

  ALWAYS DREAMED OF OWNING ONE--NOW I KNOW WHY!! THIS THING IS CLASS ON WHEELS!! IM NOT A SHOWOFF, BUT I CANT HELP IT. FOLKS CONGREGATE AROUND THIS BEAUTY. CONSIDERED BMW AND LIKED IT VERY MUCH, BUT FOR A BEAUTIFUL MIX OF STYLE, PERFORMANCE AND COMFORT, YOU CANT MISS WITH THE CLK320!!!!!!!!!

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  Fantastic Car - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By c smith - August 25 - 10:00 am

  Just bought one and absolutely LOVE IT!!! If you go in with the Price Club deal, any dealership will not only use it but beat it for 2k less invoice. It will be my first and last Mercedes as Ill have this car FOREVER!!!

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  dont buy this piece of junk - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By JayKay - August 25 - 10:00 am

  having spent over $60,000 I expected more.....car came in with incorrect color. The cars performance is great - and fun to drive. BUT, the reliability is not worth it! Its been back to the dealer countless time for electrical problems (phone/audio/locks). Wanted navigation at time of purchase - was not available. Dealer said I could add later - turned out to be a lie. Dealer is pathetic and arrogant. About to turn in for a competitors car - unlikely to buy another MB. (this was my second). Dont waste your money on this car - better choices out there today.