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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  2003 C230 - 5 speed automatic - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Michael Maddox - January 9 - 2:00 am

  My first Mercedes. So far so good. The car is very quiet. It drives like an improved version of my 99 Passat. Considered an Acura RSX, but for a few dollars extra, you get a lot more car.

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  1st year in the shop over 2 months - 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By sk25 - January 6 - 5:01 pm

  I have had a BMW, Lexus and really liked the 2010 E350...so I purchased a CPO one. And that is where the nightmare began. The navigation system randomly freezes, the stereo system/phone system is on but no sound. MB says its the software...hmmm but cannot be the hw according them them. The rear bumper was literally not fitting in properly...they said that happens?? WOW ok. The rear passenger door was not aligned with the car...they said that happens with time! The window would open on its own...they replaced the window, and said...its fixed...but it was not, they finally changed the motor and now its fixed. Worst experience I can imagine! Perhaps a Yugo would be better!?!

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  Great drivers car - 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Bob - January 6 - 5:25 am

  I bought my 2012 C 4 matic sport model new in 2011. The car has been fantastic and still drives like new at 40k. I just made my last payment in oct and the mercedes dealer called trying to get me into a new one. I have driven the new ones when mine has been in for scheduled maintenance. The only thing I like better about the new models is that they have more power but I prefer the 2012 in every other way. Drawbacks are back seat room, not usually an issue for me, and the awkward climate controls. I also wish it had a keyless start and cooled seats as my previous Lexus did. The car drives superbly though and is enjoyable on curvaceous roads.

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  Smooth Operator - 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
  By Drucilla - January 6 - 1:38 am

  I recently purchased the 2015 Mercedes GLK350 2WD and its a great SUV. It has a smooth ride and handles the road quite nicely. I have not noticed the wind noise that others have referred too so I will give that some time. My vehicle came fully loaded with Navigation, Blue tooth, Command; the works. The gas mileage is the icing on the cake as m seeing about 22 miles per gallon using the ECO option. All in all, I dont have any regrets in purchasing this beauty.

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  I wont buy another one - 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By wcw - January 4 - 5:26 pm

  My 2000 Mercedes-Benz S500 has been a huge disappointment. In May 2000 I experienced many problems with it, at only 7,468 miles. Again on 8/26/2000 I experienced multitude of problems, at 11,114 miles. And again on 9/2001 at 19,492 miles. On 10/18/02 at 28,231 miles I had to pay $376 in addition to warranty covered items. On 3/03 I experienced more problems, including a defective "adc." In 2004 the electric seat became inoperative and left front door control module replaced to a tune of $980. On 11/13/04 I had to get a new air suspension pump for $500. This cars fuel gauge is still inoperative, I have not fixed it yet. Ill measure it with a stick rather than pay for a new one. This is my second and final Mercedes. Its hard to believe you can pay $90,000 for a car you only drive 8,000 miles/year and be faced with this lemon.

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  Best car Ive ever had. - 1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Joe cash - January 4 - 10:33 am

  I bought this car in Nov. 1996. After 80,000 miles I had to replace the transmission. That was the blast and only unreasonable repair Ive made. I now have 200,750 miles on it. At 200,000. the evaporator in the A/C was leaking and had to be replaced. It was costly, $3400. but it is a great car and I paid the price. My family suggested`I buy a new car, but even an E class was going to cost me close to $60,000. and since I love this car it was`a no brainer. The trunk is large, and as they say, I could raise a family of five in the back seat. When I buy a new car it will probably be a diesel, not because of gas mileage, but because of less maintenance. I get 17.5 mpg city.

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  Just Being Honest - 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By Mike - January 3 - 10:33 am

  Bought the car in Aug of 07. I bought the car as a weekend car and pretty much only drive it on the weekends. the car is very powerful and very fun to drive. The tranny is a little jerky at low speeds. The exhuast note is lovely and the looks of the cars is stunning. I have had both women and men tell me the car is sexy. The car is definitely an eye turner and the stop light to stop light power is heart pumping! This car will get you into trouble real quick! I hope you enjoy it if you decide to buy!

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  I Love My Truck! - 1999 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By rsjenkins - January 3 - 10:00 am

  I went from a 735i BMW to my current ML430. After 61000 miles I enjoy it more and more. My lease is up and I have ordered a new ML500...same color and all. My only doubt is whether I would be better off buying "old faithfull"

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  It doesnt get any better than this - 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By fredric palmieri - January 3 - 10:00 am

  Everything its cracked up to be and everything that you would expect. Power, handling, smoothness, refinement. It literally does anything that you want it to do. The turning radius is incredible(lock to lock), The looks are awesome and the gadgets aplenty. A true tour de force for MB as its flagship,

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  Long Live the 320 - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Yarb - January 3 - 10:00 am

  Youre insane if you dont buy this SUV and even nuttier if you dont get a 320 instead of the 350. This is a great all around SUV. The gas mileage is not too bad, and you get real off-road capability if you need it (and sometimes up north you need it in the snow, regardless of what the advocates of "carlike" SUVs say). I think the 320 is a fantastic bargain right now. The dealers are motivated to sell, and I cant tell the difference in power between the two. And when push comes to shove, you just cant beat Benz customer service.