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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  New used car - 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Yassmeen Abdel-Aty - February 24 - 4:14 am

  I love this car! So lucky to have found a used car with such low mileage in perfect condition. I feel like the first owner!

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  Good Vehicle. - 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Bob Whalen - February 23 - 11:23 pm

  This car is simply amazing. It handles like a charm but the rides not too firm. A definite buy.

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  Living Room On Wheels - 1995 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Benz560 - February 22 - 11:23 pm

  So far so good! I have had very limited problems with it, It needed a new radiator,vacuum assist pump, and a transmission flush. Great car!

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  Good but... - 1999 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By smath - February 22 - 5:13 pm

  Knew the car for all its life so bought it when it was being sold. I was mentally prepared to face issues but figured Id treat myself to a Merc for a little while. Maybe because I was prepared, or maybe I was somewhat lucky, I didnt think the car gave me too much trouble - just enough to remind me that I bought it with 70K. For the 2 years and 20k miles I put on it, apart from the regular maintenance, I probably spent 1k, mass air flo sensors, brake pads and a couple of visits to check the check-engine-light. For its utility, saftey and the fact that its a Mercedes, I have no regrets on owning it except maybe when I hit the gas stations lately.

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  It has grown on me. - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By R House - February 22 - 12:00 am

  This is my 3rd Benz and I must admit that I was totally spoiled by my previous model, a 2001 CL 600. I still get goose bumps of its awesome power and drive ability; however, it became a mechanical and reliability nightmare. When I first saw a CLS, I was struck by beauty and for me, its understated elegance. When I decided to buy, at the beginning of 2009, looked at quite a few and drove a few, but I just could not, or was not ready, to go there. Everything in its owm time and I spotted this beauty and I knew it was the one-black with cream interior and flawless kept, approximately 30,000, and showroom condition. After 6 months and approximately 4,000 miles there has not been one glitch.

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  Awesome - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By jose - February 21 - 3:56 am

  This is the best car in the planet! It rides so smoothly. Got power too. Awesome body stlye. Great leather interior. I cant ask for anything more.

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  expensive - 1999 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By david91101 - February 21 - 2:00 am

  The car rides fine, but when things break, which is quite often, it is expensive on the parts, esp. the electronic parts, we are talking about from 350 to 1200.00 a piece without the labor charge wholesale.. watch out !! ohh!! the parts is more expensive than GOLD ?

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  Unreliable - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By driveer - February 21 - 2:00 am

  Have it for 2.5 years. Ive been at dealership for 5 times (at least). Mostly computer-related problems - but had AC repaired and some othe replacement too. Big disappointment taking into account image that Mercedes- Benz is using. I think Hyunday wouldnt have such a quality. Great driving, wonderfull design - dont have it over the warranty.

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  Wonderful - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Ray M - February 19 - 6:26 pm

  It is an excellent and quite ride and the entertainment package makes the sound system sound phenomenal. Also the power for a V6 is excellent and blows away the Cayenne that I sold last year.

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  Beautiful but Fragile - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By osanchez - February 18 - 6:56 pm

  I have owned several Mercedes during my life time and I can telll you this has been my worst experience with MB. Three blown tires, broken A arms, broken subframe, bransmission issues and not to mentioned expensive parts and repair costs. This vehicle was made to be driven on air not on realistic day to day roads. I will not recommend this vehicle. Very beautiful but fragile!