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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  Wow thats my car? - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By myfirstnewcar - August 29 - 10:00 am

  A beauty to look at. Fuel economy is good / Los Angeles to San Jose on 1 tank of gas in 105 degree heat. Bose system sounds great. Note: Dont get the keyless go as youll burn your fingers on a hot summer day. Peeves: No in dash CD player (cant even recognize CD-RW for that matter) Road noise on concrete freeway overpasses

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  Heaven on earth - 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By maverick 15 - August 29 - 10:00 am

  I am 66" tall and always wanted a convertible but could never fit. The SL 500 gives me plenty of room. It took a long time for dealers to realize that tall people love convertables, but it was worth the wait.

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  My new E320 CDI - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By azdskin - August 29 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Mercedes Benz vehicle and I love it. The 3.2-liter turbo diesel is very fast and powerful. The fuel economy is awesome, 27mpg in the city and 35mpg on the hwy. There is no annoying diesel chatter or smell.

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  My new ML - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By TD - August 28 - 5:00 am

  Great SUV, value considering the price of competition. Solid, strong, responsive and nice updated styling. Get it, you wont be sorry.

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  Alabamas Finest - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By ngb3 - August 27 - 1:13 pm

  An excellent, competent vehicle on the road. Pretty good off road too. Very comfortable and safe. Good economy given the size and weight of the car. (Avg 20 on highway, 16 in city.) All switches are where they should be. Computer takes some getting used to, but its easy when you know what youre doing. Practice before you go on the road. AC is very effective. Gearbox is one of the best I have seen on any vehicle. Very roomy inside. Airbags everywhere ! If you want an 8 seater, wait for the R-class. This is the most quiet SUV Ive ever driven...Watch the speedometer. The vehicle is deceptively fast. Besides the large blind spot at the back, theyre worth the wait and the money. Well done Mercedes !

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  WOW ALL AROUND!!! - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By sawnrockalot - August 27 - 11:20 am

  i have been driving my 2002 c coupe and all though my friends call it a box i have relied o it to take me places and it has done so in an eye catching way. steering does get a bit spinny at top speeds but overall a joy to ride.

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  The best ever! - 2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By LHP - August 26 - 3:13 am

  What an unbelievable vehicle. Ive always thougt the 91 Vette was the nicest car I have ever owned. The ML 320 CDI is now number 1. With all the concern about economy and emissions, it seems diesel is better than hybrid and E85, so I wanted a diesel. This car has far surpassed my expectations. I have never found driving more exciting, and Im still learning about all the little gadgets and conveniences. I leased this one for 33 months, but expect to buy next time.

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  Elegence or Performance? - 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By Merc.55 - August 26 - 2:00 am

  The CL Merc. takes credits to both of these descriptions. Mercedes brings the best of both worlds out with this World Class automobile. There is no competitor the has even come close or even competed to rival the CL models. All of the Merc. equiptment is the best of quatliy and integrity. Plus the brlliant design team that made this car possible. Plus for 2003 new body kit, new power trains for 55 and 600 models and GPS.

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  Elegence or Performance? - 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By Merc.55 - August 26 - 2:00 am

  The CL Merc. takes credits to both of these descriptions. Mercedes brings the best of both worlds out with this World Class automobile. There is no competitor the has even come close or even competed to rival the CL models. All of the Merc. equiptment is the best of quatliy and integrity. Plus the brlliant design team that made this car possible. Plus for 2003 new body kit, new power trains for 55 and 600 models and GPS.

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  CLK 500 Critique - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Mercedes Owner - August 25 - 1:00 pm

  This 2 door pillarless hardtop is a gorgeous example of an ultra modern luxury sports car that provides the open air look and fun of the bygone era of 2 door hardtops. This car turns heads for second looks, especially when all four windows are down. Performance and handling are outstanding, yet refined, so that you know you are driving a Mercedes at all times. I havent found a thing yet to complain about; its great.