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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  Not Happy - 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By MNK - July 22 - 2:00 am

  I am not happy with the vehicle. It started rattling noises after just first month and since then has been to the dealership for almost 7 times. Those noises are still there and they have been unable to properly identify the problem. The opinion is that this is normal to have it in suv.

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  LOVE - 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By flyboi - July 21 - 5:03 pm

  i LOVE this car! It has everything i could want and more. Wanted the new C since it came out and finally got it and couldnt be happier. Drive one and find out for yourself. Plenty of power for me. I just hope the reliability is as good as it seems when new. Ride is excellent in typical German manner.

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  Vrroooom! - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By New Merc Owners - July 20 - 12:43 pm

  Traded in an FX45 and initially missed the vroom but in R class there is lots of room so who needs the v (as in velocity). With that said this car holds up well on the highway, and I was doing the passing and not being passed. The interior is luxurious compared to others in this class and as a six footer I can even sit comfortably in the back seat. So far so good - also the wife loves the way it looks and everytime I park it I get another comment on my ride - -

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  First time Benz owner - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By formerbmwowner - July 18 - 7:56 pm

  Im a former BMW owner (528) and looked around for quite a while. Compared the new CTS, 3 and 5 series, Volvo S80. Went for a smaller car since its mostly me in it. Never considered Mercedes as my wife called it "an old mans car." That was until was saw the new C class parked in front of a restaurant. Wow! What a head-turner. The handling is great, fit and finish are perfect, enough gadgets to make it interesting but not distracting. Getting great gas mileage (24 mpg combined) and I was shocked at what a great value the car is, especially compared to the 3 series. 4 matic handles a Minnesota winter just fine.

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  Very Disappointed With This Car - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By TIM - July 18 - 5:36 pm

  Waited 5 months for car to be delivered. Within 3 months of delivery we had a leak in the transmission that left the car inoperable. After two visits, they replaced the trans. Next the Zenon headlight started shorting out; it had to be replaced. Next was alignment issues, this car will wear out top quality tires in less than 12k miles of normal driving! My car has had to be aligned 3 times in 2 years. Next was the seatbelt, the mechanism that hands you the belt had to be replaced. And finally, today my wife is at the dealership having a gear replaced in the tilt steering mechanism. I am so disappointed in this car! I thought I was buying the best, but, I got a lemon! Buyer beware.

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  CLK 500 cabrio 2004 - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Antone - July 18 - 2:00 am

  This car is built solid. Its fast,fun and drop-dead gorgeous. Superb styling..glad I didnt buy the 03 420 cab. Gas mileage is quite good for a V8, 302hp. I get 18-23. Order a 320 if you are concerned about gas mileage! Feels like a coupe inside with very nice roof liner; very quiet for a ragtop. A bit pricey, but will hold its value due to demand. Youll have to wait to get it. Dealers are not getting very many cars.

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  Benz on Steroids - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By John Zavitsanos - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Oustanding torque for a staid appearing sedan. Has all of the bells and whistles inside and a tiger under the hood. Good cornering as well

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  Great Car - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Martha2 - July 18 - 2:00 am

  this is a wonderful car for both families and singles..i would recommend it for anyone who could afford it

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  The Best - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By King of Maui - July 18 - 2:00 am

  It is the best Mercedes Ive ever owned, except for my ML500 Insiration, but thats an SUV. I love all the rich woods inside,and the climate controlled seats, perfect for those cold winter trips.

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  Great Car - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By PIMPMAN - July 18 - 2:00 am

  The best sports car I ever drove. The performance is unexplainable. This vechile makes you want to drive everyday.