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:

• 

  Fun Fancy and Frivolous - 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By orangele - January 30 - 2:36 pm

  This is my third SL-class car I have owned in the past 3 years. I would have never gotten an SL55 except for the large price mark-down from the sticker since this is a lease return. This car obviously has the most power (510 hp), and thus the first time I floored the pedal, I said "WOW." This car does move. The motorized hard top is definitely cool, and makes the car versatile. It is also luxurious inside. Finally this car is expensive. Thus fun, fancy and frivolous.

• 

  The Car I Always Wanted - 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By SLCFBP - January 30 - 10:36 am

  I bought my first MB, the 350 AWD, fully loaded, in Nov. 2007. I have now driven 6K and nothing about this car has disappointed. I have not had a single problem or needed to take it in other than for the 1K complimentary check. Everything works, everything fits. I for one find the oft critisized Command system just fine though the GPS in my part of world (Southwest) seems to lose mapping capability much more than my wifes GPS in her Highlander. The MB is a dream on the long stretches, has the best soundproofing & a perfect stereo to match of any car I have owned. I have truly found the car of my dreams - I may never change brands again.

• 

  Best Car in its class - 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By PLaw - January 28 - 10:06 pm

  I was trying to decide between the Lexus, BMW. I hadnt really ever considered buying a MB until I test drove the new E550. WOW! This is by far the best driving car in its class. In my opinion, its a significantly better vehicle than the 5-series or the Lexus equivalent. Not to mention the fact that you can get the all wheel drive feature in the E550. Great performance and good in the snow! Perfect for me here in CO. Take one out and drive it. You wont be disappointed.

• 

  IMPRESSIVE RIDE!!! - 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
  By Kevin - January 28 - 12:53 pm

  I recently purchased the GLK350 after an exhaustive search for a new vehicle. I researched and drove Toyota, Honda, Hyundai and Nissan but none compare to this vehicle. The GLK is comparably priced to a fully optioned Toyota or Honda but much more fun to drive and its not like every other vehicle on the road. I am not sure why others are getting such low gas mileage (driving style???) but I am getting 19-21 in the city as as much as 25 on the highway and I "get on it" from time to time. I didnt get a fully optioned GLK. (no multi media PKG) but im impressed. The ride is very nice and as of yet, no problems, (4000 miles on ODO). Love the looks and the "solid feel". A real hit in my book.

• 

  Best car I ever owned! - 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Mary Perez - January 28 - 12:00 pm

  This is truly the best car I ever owned. From dealrr lot to home, not a single problem ever! Fun to drive, great handling, excellent in the snow.

• 

  The Last Days of Mercedes - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Richard E. Savoy - January 28 - 2:03 am

  The E350 is chintzy. It manfiests the dreadful consequences of the abominable decision MB made in the early 1990s consciously to debase the quality of the fine automobiles on whose splendid engineering and construction MBs century-old reputation had been built. Those of us who knew the quality that once epitomized MB can tell the difference with but a moments inpsection. The car has 2 batteries to support needless electronic junk; one battery has already failed. There is a bicycle spare tire. The barely used radio produces an echo sounding like crows cawing in the background. Just touching the "bumper" to a sleeping cat can cost $300. The Mercedes Benz we knew belongs to the ages.

• 

  Worst Car I have ever owned - 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By daisy38 - January 27 - 11:14 pm

  Purchase the car in August 2014 with "all the bells and Whistles Barely drove it, was in the shop every 100 miles. Problems with computer, direct injection. Too many distractions, hard to work heat/ac. The cameras are distracting on the dash. Mercedes is buying the car back because it constantly breaks down and leaves me on the road. 2K miles on the car in 6 months and I drove mostly a loaner car. Not even sure I have a lux car, Ive been driving a loaner. Car was in the shop for a month, got it back and it broke down the next day, Mercedes hasnt even offered a loaner this time. Totally unreliable. If you look on this site you see dozens of them turned in with less than 5K miles.

• 

  Fun Little Car - 2000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By atlmis - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I bought my car over a year ago and it has been a pleasure to drive. It handles well, takes corners like a dream and has great acceleration. Pretty roomy back seat for a small car and nice trunk space. Besides a few minor electrical problems, this car has been great.

• 

  Good but could be better - 2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By John1000 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Very poor transmission is in this car. The car makes a high pitch noise when you shifting from 1st to 2nd. For a car over 100k that should not be the case!

• 

  I love my little MB Sportwagon - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Linda Timmerman - January 27 - 10:00 am

  After 3 SUVs--pleasant change! I can pack it as full.Wonderful on gas mileage and handles like a dream on the road..great brakes, Runs powerfully and surpises most people with the pick-up .