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:

• 

  wraps you in luxury and safety - 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Dennis Bielski - August 3 - 4:02 pm

  ride, fit, finish, is great!!! Cost of general mantenance is high, but a necessary evil . Dealership reps. sales, ect are very personable and answer all questions

• 

  Jackrabbit Mercedes Coupe - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By MJ - August 3 - 12:50 am

  Has multiple features found on more expensive models. Large sliding roof is unique. Kompressor (supercharger) make 189 HP seem like 300 when it kicks in. A wonderful small hatchback. Sad that MB discontinued the model for 2006.

• 

  Take the family in style - 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Dan flynn - August 2 - 2:36 am

  My E350 wagon was just broken in and it is such a smooth and refined family vehicle. The suspension is stiff, however the ride remains composed and luxurious. The car handles so well you forget the car weighs over 4000 lbs and it is actually fun to drive for a station wagon. Its not fast, however it has plenty of power for easy around town and highway driving. The drivers seat is so comfortable and piloting this Benz is truly a pleasure and a big step up from my previous Audi A6 Avant. It also gets decent 25 mpg while crusing at about 75-80 mph.(much better than EPAs 21 mpg estimate)

• 

  The best car Ive ever had - 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Loniese Lee - August 1 - 7:30 am

  I have been so iumpressed with my C280. Its fun to drive, it handles well in the rain and snow because it has the traction control. The seating maybe a little cramped but you still can ride 4 adults in comfort. The trunk space is exceptional for a small car because the backseats fold down to give more room.

• 

  07 CLK 550 Convertible - 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By LES - July 29 - 1:13 pm

  I am amazed at the acceleration of the new CLK 550. The overall fit and finish is truly outstanding. The top goes down within 20 seconds and the sound proofing when it is up is very quiet. This is my first MB, I have been driving Audis for the past six years, including the 4.2 A6. The acceleration of the MB leaves the Audi in the dust. I look for any excuse to take the car out for a spin. It has been an awesome driving experince.

• 

  The Perfect Car - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By expertowner - July 28 - 5:23 am

  I had heard that this car was not very well received. To look at it I found it hard to believe. I test drove it, and fell hard. While it could be a problem for 6ft 5 inch people in the back seat, there simply is nothing bad that can be said about this vehicle. The looks are stunning, the ride is silk lightning, and everything about it says....THE PERFECT CAR. I hope that Mercedes realizes what they have accomplished. They have taken back the lead from BMW with one quick stroke of genius. If you are looking for the perfect car, and are able to spend 75k, you cannot find anything better.

• 

  Lots of fun - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By jcv - July 28 - 2:00 am

  I dont know how Mercedes makes and sells these cars for so little, this thing is great. Solid MB build, excellent performance and reliability, what youd expect from a Mercedes Benz

• 

  RATE - 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By NIKKI - July 28 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE MY CAR BUT I WISH I INTERIOR WAS A LITTLE MORE DIFFERENT THEN OTHER MERCEDES AND SOME SPORTY EFFECT ON THE EXTERIOR

• 

  Great Car - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By sadamb - July 27 - 10:00 am

  So far I have loved this car. The looks you get while driving this car are great. Its affordable for being a Mercedes and I feel good about the safety features.

• 

  former BMW owner converted - 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By DWL - July 23 - 10:00 am

  As a previous BMW owner I only abandoned the brand when their styling went its current direction. Im so glad I did. My SL 500 is simply the best car I have ever owned or driven. There is nothing about it I would change. Its a perfect car.