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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  Rocket for Five - 2007 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By MLM - March 13 - 11:30 pm

  Started looking at economy import SUVs and progressed up the line until I test drove the ML63. I have had it for a week and I am still trying to get an understanding of all of its features. Never having owned a vehicle for more than two years, I am more impressed with this vehicle than any of the 30 plus new cars that I have purchased. Impressive at any measurement.

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  Robust Alternative to the RX - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By john - March 13 - 3:53 am

  The revamped ML is a very good looking SUV. Interior is very well sorted out, trunk is best in class. Seats are firm and supportive. Driven for 6 weeks and no problems. Gas mileage varies 17-20 most of the time. Huge tank gives a nice range. Power liftgate is a great option. Controls more complicated than the Japanese, but, this SUV feels safe as a tank. Good sight lines around the vehicle, seating position is excellent. Well done!

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  Unbelievable show stopper - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By vin - March 11 - 3:20 pm

  Everywhere I go I have people stopping me over the syling of the car. I sold a BMW 545 i because I was so uncomfortable in it. Love the ride and comfort of this car. Recommend it highly. Buy it with the AMG package.

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  ML - 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By fhdewitt - March 11 - 10:00 am

  Great vehicle, a few more rattles that I like.

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  Great Baby Benz - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By skogkatt - March 9 - 5:56 pm

  I purchased my C230 in December after having researched and test driven the BMW 325i, Honda Accord EX, and Nissan Altima. After driving the C230, there was no more need for comparison. The car has a solid build coupled with great looks. The supercharger makes it fast and fun to drive. I opted for the 6-speed, wheel package, and CD player. It still came in under $27K. The true joy of life is the trip. Mercedes C230 makes it more enjoyable.

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  Have it for 7 Years and loved it - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Raj - March 7 - 11:33 am

  Have it for 7 Years and loved it , No Major repairs except once had an issue with Key and costed $1000

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  500 CLS - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By John - March 7 - 8:33 am

  Absolutely wonderful automobile. One of the best looking ever by Mercedes. Wish they would build the CLS with the new 320CDI diesel technology

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  The Worst - 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Laurie Forbes - March 7 - 2:00 am

  My husband and I purchased this car from our niece, who was transferred to Hong Kong. We didnt even get it home before we started having problems. The front end needed repairs twice, electrical and wiring several times, 2 batteries, the alternator, the air conditioning. For the three years we have owned this vehicle, we have paid out nearly $10,000 for repairs. It is by far the worst car we have ever owned.

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  Great so far... - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By JohnK - March 7 - 2:00 am

  Ive only owned my E500 for a few weeks, but at this point Im thrilled with it. My previous car was a 2001 BMW 530i and it was great, too, but the solid ride and creature comforts make the E Class a better car to spend a lot of time in. One questionable area is the feel of the brakes. They are difficult to modulate and the pedal is mushy.

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  service engine light,etc - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By M H Grenne - March 7 - 2:00 am

  1 mo.& 2800 miles,service engine light, engin service intervil,oil level, phone link not working. 3faultcodes . at dealer service all day. claim they do not have the part they need. this is a large dealer.