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:

• 

  Superior built Automobile - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By bryant - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Purchased a 2005 E320 CDI (Diesel) "WOW" you have to drive this vehicle to really understand the quality. 27 miles in city & 37 miles highway. Do not sound or drive like a diesel. Excellent new technology. Plenty of power when you need it, 0-60 in 6.7 seconds. This car is fun to drive, plus the cost of fuel is very inexpensive, in Georgia $1.59. Purchased a diesel engine that sound and drive like a gasoline engine

• 

  Nice car, but too much rust - 2001 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By e320_4matic - March 18 - 2:18 am

  Nice car. Rusts too much for a car this expensive. We love how it drives. Gets good fuel economy for a larger family.

• 

  Unbelievable - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By Firsttobuy - March 17 - 9:53 pm

  Mercedes sexy cat (who would ever have dreamed. . .) purrs its way into your heart and loins in the first 20 seconds of road time. A Jaguar-killer. Drive feel is far more powerful than the engine stats suggest and has no hint of the E-class parts and staid chassis from which the car is supposedly derived. Probably the best fusion of sports car and sedan features ever achieved in an assembly line model. This is an exceptional car that Daimler Chrysler could sell for $20,000 - $40,000 more than its listed for.

• 

  best business sedan - 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By daro05 - March 17 - 3:06 pm

  Unbelievable car< average of 28 MPG in city < up to 37 MPG on interstate ( still under 35 if pushed around 90MPH) Very aggressive acceleration just above 1700 RPM, excellent 7G transmission. could use sport package form E 350??? Reliable like real MB and very well made

• 

  First time lease - 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
  By Christin - March 17 - 4:23 am

  Let me begin by saying this is my first new car, ever. This is my first Mercedes & luxury vehicle. I am accustomed to the Mazda3 & GMC work truck...that being said, anything new is a significant step up so take this review with a grain of salt. For a "basic" CLA250 model I am impressed with the gorgeous bodylines & technology. The keyless entry has become common, but for me this is new & so convenient. There are 4 or maybe 5 different driving settings. Im not a huge car person but I was so impressed by the significant changes I could feel by switching mode from comfort to sport or ECO. This car is very polished inside & out. I scored a great lease special, be sure to look out for them online. I assumed this was not doable & I would get a new Mazda3 or something practical...so happy I "splurged" (mind you, my payments are LESS then my USED Mazda3). I got a really amazing car, to me at least. Even my grandparents who have been frequent Mercedes customers, loved my new "beginner model" CLA 250 inside & out. Side note, I am a petite girl...this vehicle suits me perfectly! My boyfriend is 62 & he says he fits comfortably in the passenger seat however when the sea is that far back it is difficult to have ample visibility when backing up. lol.

• 

  The worst car I have ever owned. - 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By cm8112 - March 15 - 11:26 am

  We purchased a brand new 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450. Fully Loaded, including entertainment and towing packages. In January 2014 our problems started. The car had just a little over 60K miles. Airmatics were gone, one after another within days. One of them even blew up. 4 Electrical problems, including radio, and door locks. All repairs costed more than $4,500 within 6 months, and it continued until we had enough. It just started to fall apart after 60K miles. I gave it away for $26K. Lost almost 50 grand in 4 years. I was lucky with that history of repairs. Do yourself a favor get a Japanese car. Our time, hard earned money and peace of mind are valuable. Stay away of this car and brand.

• 

  Great all-around car - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Nick Bade - March 15 - 1:16 am

  A little jewel with excellent blend of performance, usefulness and comfort. I owned Integra GSR, went to buy a new Acura RSX. But then I tested the C230, found its performance was similar while it was far quieter and more comfortable at high speeds. Aggressive style with Magna red paint catches looks and praise--while the RSX looks ho hum and outdated. M-B has a winner for people who like quality.

• 

  3 Year Look Back - 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
  By kujo - March 14 - 10:06 am

  After almost 3 years, I love my 2003 G. I purchased this vehicle to drive daily, but also to be used on mountain trails, farm fields and much off roading. Great, great vehicle. It climbs a mountain like a goat and has terrific power and handling abilities. I had some problems along the way which required the replacement of its computer, and some mechanical parts. The best SUV out there that combines off-road ability with great highway features.

• 

  2006 Mercedes 350ML - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Joe - March 14 - 9:40 am

  A winner. Superior to 2002 ML, it rides like a sedan. Standard features, plus sunroof and one interior package with leather inserts areall you need. Auto trunk opening is required for little women. The shift lever on steering column seems strange at first. Loads of standard features rather than extras on most of the competition. I never plan to off road. The only drawback is that it still uses premium fuel. My wife really likes it a lot. Not your Durango or Explorer, far more upscale and shows it. Smooth ride, and handles well. It has all the engine needed for city and highway driving. I highly recommend this car if you can afford it.

• 

  Good automobile for the price - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By V Stay - March 13 - 2:36 pm

  Have had a chance to drive the car at high speeds and without a doubt it can definitely handle its own. The interior is a little bland but the technology package, with its gadets, helps give the vehicle some pizzazz. This model is a good introduction into MB.