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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  Was a skeptic but they blew me away! - 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Jaguar Lover - May 19 - 5:06 am

  I am 22 and have had two Jaguars and loved them. I wanted something different and tried the Mercedes. I was very reluctant because I have read so many horror stories about Mercedes reliability but the more refined 07 has been perfect. It is quite, safe, luxurious, sporty, wow list goes on and on it is truly an amazing car.

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  Dont Leave Home Without It! - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Doc - May 18 - 8:03 pm

  Theres a flaw in the stats: mine gets MORE gas mileage: 45 mph. The car rides like a dream but maneuvers like a sports car. Quiet and powerful. I formerly owner a Mercedes diesel 70s model and the problems were: slower than a gas engine, smelly and noisy. Not now: the Turbo Diesel is super fast, doesnt smell, and is quiet as a church mouse. Listen to your doctor: Buy this car! Miami to Atlanta on 1 tank!

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  6 months old - 2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By Ed - May 18 - 3:23 pm

  Great car, fun to drive, Really big and somewhat difficult to park. Exceptionally good performance and gas mileage for a 6 cyl. Quality everywhere with no problems in first 6 months although at the 30 day checkup the service department was a poor. I wont be back to the selling dealer. Skip the parktronic and rear camera. They are only good from about 3 feet.

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  Great ride - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Mark - May 17 - 7:16 pm

  I have now owned this car for 2 1/2 years and thought an update would be appropriate. I purchased this car in Honolulu but have since moved to the mainland. This car has been from Louisiana to California twice and to Chicago and back once. All three of these trips averaged around 29 MPG, with an average speed nearing 75 MPH! Not bad. The last trip was a 1705 mile trip over two days; I had no back pain with very few stops. This car does have more creaks and rattles than I would like, is very small, and doesnt handle much luggage, but for a work day runner and with the cost of gas today, I still made a fantastic choice.

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  Excellent car! - 2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Robert - May 17 - 1:00 pm

  I bought this Mercedes used. It has a moonroof, leather, 12 power seats, heated seats, all one touch windows, and shiftronic. It does everything right. Its been on one long trip so far and has excellent comfort and features. I love the car and plan to keep it for many years to come

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  Very functional car - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By scott - May 16 - 8:13 pm

  This is the most functional vehicle we have ever owned. Great power, fantastic in the snow and very comfortable. 2 trips to Palm Springs and the car was a pleasure to drive. Get the panaramic roof for sure. A true 6 passenger (adults) vehicle.

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  Awesome vehicle with superior Quality!! - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By Alfar16 - May 16 - 5:20 pm

  I traded a C300 for an R350 because of an expanding family. The vehicle has not disappointed on bit. I fit my family of four with ease and without baggage, this vehicle will fit 6 people comfortably. The car lacks a little power but is not noticeable once one the highway. No problems so far with as Ive read in some reviews. The vehicle has striking presence and luxury is apparent as you roll down the street. I would definitely keep the R-350 for a long time as comfort is not comparable for this price range.

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  Classy SUV - 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By NH GL - May 16 - 12:56 pm

  I have to admit that I never knew this model existed. The room in this Mercedes GL has it all over the ML. The quality is light-years ahead of the Escalade. The ride is better than a luxury sedan. Came with an off-road package which I dont expect to need, but nice to know its there. Rear entertainment, leather, nav, sunroof, and satellite radio are all top notch!

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  Straight Line Speed and Comfort - 2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By S600 Owner - May 16 - 2:53 am

  Have owned the car for about a month now and I am no sure I still love it. The straight line speed is second to none, I have driven ferraris that wont throw you back in your seat like this does. Being able to spin the rear-wheel at any speed under 50mph is incredible. Burnouts are as simple as turning off traction control and giving half throttle. However, the handling does not compare to the BMW 760Li I own. The understeer is so overwhelming it is almost dangerous, you are stunned the first time you take an off ramp at 50 and the tires begin to squeal yet the car keeps traveling in the same direction-scary. Also, driving in the rain is asking for trouble, traction control MUST stay on.

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  Trading performance for luxury - 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By hench - May 16 - 1:20 am

  After 4 recalls on my 2002 BMW M3 I thought I would get a convertible and drop some performance for luxury. I was tempted to wait the 6 months to get a SL55 AMG, but decided that I would rather settle for the base SL500. Couldnt be happier with the car. Only thing I would change is put the cruise control stick on the right side as I tend to hit it often when I am trying to tap my blinkers. The drop top is so fast, I can switch from top up to top down at a stop light and watch as everyone around me stares at the cool mechinisms that move the top. Hard to beat hard top comfort in the winter with top down crusing in the summer. Down side of keyless, I forget to leave the key for valet ;).