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:

• 

  Sports and luxury combined. - 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By merlin - June 4 - 6:56 am

  After test driving several convertible sports cars including the BMW 6 series and the Porcsche Carrera I found the SL 55 to be by far the best available combination of fun, luxury and safety. As an additional bonus when the top is up the cabin is so quiet you would never know youre driving a convertible

• 

  So Far So Good.... - 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
  By David H - May 25 - 3:02 pm

  We have 7000 miles on our 2015 GLK350 now and so far its been outstanding. Mercedes quality is evident in this car with no squeaks, rattles, even on the bumpiest of roads. Engine is powerful for its class. The Eco mode where the engine shuts off after a minute at lights is a great invention. Just lift off the brake pedal and it instantly starts back up with no lag time. My only complaint is that the engine has a slightly rattly sound that reminds me a bit of a diesel, but thats really nit picking at this point. Transmission is seamless, almost electric engine smooth! Interior is outstandingly sharp. My wife picked this car at the dealership for this feature. Very tastefully done (we got the dark wood with aluminium trim). Despite our toddler flinging his milk bottles and turning the back of the car into a white splattered version of a murder scene, everything simply wiped off with a wet rag. Seats are comfy yet firm. The suspension is a bit more firm than I prefer but I also appreciate the confidence the firmness inspires. Definitely more sports car feeling than an SUV (evident in its shared C-Class platform). Now the gripes: - During a rain storm, youre sure to get a bit of a drenching when you open the back doors. The rear rain gutters are ineffective. - The turn signal stalk is always hidden behind the main stalk so youre accidentally turning on the wipers instead of the blinker. - For such a wide vehicle, it sure has little interior space. Our E-Class wagon is narrower yet holds 3 to 4 times as much stuff! Overall, we love this car. Its my wifes main car while I drive our E-Class Wagon. Both cars feel very different and its hard to tell which one I prefer....

• 

  Loving my Benz - 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Queen - May 25 - 8:20 am

  I took delivery of my 2005 CLK 320 in August 2004. I love my car. It is black with the stone interior, and although the interior is murder to keep clean, especially the road dust when you drive with the top down that settles everywhere, it is a beautiful, classy, fun to drive car. I traded a BMW 325ci for this car, and I think the BMW handles better, more like a sports car, and the Benz handles like a sedan. However, I have made the adjustment, and am enjoying my new Benz.

• 

  Performace over 33 months - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Jim Smith - May 24 - 5:43 pm

  When the car is performing well, not in the shop, it is wonderful. Have had numerous major problems with the car, such as O rings having to be replaced twice, the transmission going out, numerous problems with the keyless go, and on and on. Have asked MB to extend warranty to 75K with being turned down. Will not buy another MB car, ever

• 

  Military vehicle - 2005 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
  By BlueAngels - May 23 - 12:56 pm

  Having seen the G-Wagon in the miltary service, it is kind of odd to see them as a luxury car. These tanks are made to take all kind of abuses. Unless you are taking them off-road in the Pac West or somewhere, you will be better off driving a smaller SUV.

• 

  Problems with the nick nacks & Many More - 2000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By joe - May 20 - 11:26 pm

  This was the First Mercedes I ever Owned and probably the last. When I first purchased it my frontheadlights and rear taillights kept blowing out and 97 thousand miles later they still do. More often than not I drive around with a light blown out. I cant tell you how many times Ive been pulled over for having a blown bulb right after having fixed them. ---that includes the interior as well. Transmission problems after only 30 thousand miles. Gas Gauge problems 2 X. Air condionter died after 80,000. Cost close to 2k. Mass airflow died at 85thousand. Dont lose your key it will cost you.The center sonsole doesnt open as you want. The glove compartment opens when it wants. Bad in snow.

• 

  Worth It? - 1995 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By MB? - May 19 - 2:00 am

  I liked our old 1985 300D better. It feels solid but the tranny is bizarre. The second gear kick is somewhat like my old diesel MB.

• 

  My present ride - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By standingfire - May 18 - 5:43 pm

  This car is most enjoyable. While there are some detractors, the flat four with supercharger is a nice plant. I have pushed 35 mpg on the highway at somewhere above 70 mph. The car shifts very smoothly and cleanly. A very nice car.

• 

  My experience w/ E320 - 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Stewmeistr - May 18 - 12:06 am

  I find that finding someone who wont take advantage of you while fixing these cars is a very rare find. My suggestion is to get a code reader and diagnose problems yourself. Goto an online store like Az autohaus to buy parts or ebay and get parts to put on yourself. Most arent tough, but will save you alot of money. Known problems are air mass sensors($), the ac fan relay. Ours has been relatively inexpensive to own, but I can see how you could get taken with one of these cars. The dealerships will charge big $ for simple problems. Good luck, these cars still drive better than new cars. Made with quality, but some bad parts spoil the bunch. Great mileage though and smooth power.

• 

  MB SUV - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Izzo - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Got the 350 with Inspiration package and worth the extra buck. Much more luxurious than previous 320 model. Excellent leather, wood panel, fatter tires and silver grille. Handling and performance very predictable.