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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  Shes been great for us! - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By cch204 - October 8 - 1:50 am

  Purchased car with 25,000. Its been a great car! Only true "Failings" have been the door arm rests, ($50 each) power seat brains (Both have electrical shorts, $500 each) and the rear sun shade. ($1,000 fix) Car gets between 25 & 30 mpg on the freeway. Just keep at a good speed. Car took us to Mexico (5 years) for a job and did great! Very safe and satisfying. HAS NEVER left us stranded. EVER. Normal servicing, about every six months for oil changes and add a quart of oil about every three months or so. She needed struts at 115k and changed the plugs and wires at 125k. She still purrs like a kitten!

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  No problems-Great Car - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By Serving us well - October 7 - 3:16 pm

  We bought this car early of "07" and have driven it from the Canadian line to the gulf of Mexico. Driving in winter blizzards and southern frog floaters. Avg gas mileage for hwy- 23to24 mpg. City-19 mpg. Great touring car, for its size it handles very well. What little warranty work we have had done, we have done it when its time for service. If this car keeps performing like this in the future, MB will have good success.

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  Great Car! - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By rishi - October 7 - 2:00 am

  The cheapest AMG model, but definetly value for every dollar spent! Although being my first car, its hard to judge until i drive others.

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  a sleeper - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By marty43 - October 5 - 10:00 am

  very fast at high speeds, accelerates up to 170 mph without being hesitant, is smooth and quiet in normal conditions, not as direct and explosive as M 3, pretty much usable as a family car, great brakes, feels a little bit detached from street surface, all in all the best compromise for a father of three, who still likes to go very very fast

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  Love this car - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By richbpa - October 4 - 7:53 am

  First the buying experience was exceptional & flawless. I live in NE PA & vehicle availabilty as well as professional salesmanship are not available. I also own an 04 C-240 4-Matic which led us to the E Class. My wife & I are both extatic with these two vehicles. I feel safe in these cars. They handle exceptionally well. Not a single problem with either. The size of the E vs. the C makes it firmer. The C is awesome in winter driving and look forward to the experience wthis winter with the E. DVD Nav is awesome. Wouldnt change a thing on my E. I traded an 03 Lexus ES300 which I liked, but the E is better. "I just love this car"

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  A great Luxury automobile - 1995 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Gus Johnson - October 3 - 2:00 am

  While a little big to run around town with it makes up for it on the road. We recently drove from Naples, Florida to New Jersey in 2 days and most people take 3. It is so comfortable and easy to handle that you hardly know you are doing 75mph and higher.I have had the car a year now and have only had a few bulbs replaced and the oxygen sensor.

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  self - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By stevevagun - October 3 - 2:00 am

  Very nice safe car

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  Perfection - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By wondertopcat - October 3 - 2:00 am

  The new E320 takes what was already one of the worlds premier vehicles to the next level. It is the perfect combination of luxury, safety, and performance. You get a feeling a absolute solidity when driving the new E320, a heavy feeling, yet handling is light and effortless. The exterior styling is clearly contemporary, while at the same time, timeless and sophisticated. Nothing about the design is out of tune, which cannot be said of some of its competitors such as the new BMW 7-series.

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  none better - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By tomd - October 3 - 2:00 am

  After owning 9 new Mercedes, in 18 years, I finally bought my first SL. Sell you rfirst born male child if you have to, because driving doesnt get any better than this.

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  Fabulous! - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By Bonnie - October 1 - 1:33 pm

  Other than the windows being a little small, this car is perfect. The interior is the best Ive seen. I get all kinds of looks and comments on it. Very fun!