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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  Buy Stock in a Tire Company - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Jack - July 20 - 7:46 pm

  My 2005 MB c230 Kompressor so far has been a pretty big disappointment. It only has 16K on it and Ive already had to buy three (3) sets of tires. It chews them up like cheap candy. The dealer has done 2 alignments already and multiple tire balances. The road noise is horrific after only a few thousand miles on each new set. The dealer has NOT been helpful. I try to drive as conservatively as possible but it still chews the tires up. Im considering going back to a BMW. The MB is a nice car but I cant afford to keep buying tires like this. My dealer has been ZERO help. MB has not returned my calls or letters. Guess its time for an attorney. Buyer Beware.

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  Great car with only 2 design flaws - 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By nbrray - July 14 - 10:00 am

  I was one of the first owners of the redesigned C-class. It is a sharp looking car and I get lots of compliments on the style. Mercedes had some original kinks, but they have worked them out.

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  Safety, handling & value - 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By thechums - July 8 - 10:00 am

  I suppose the best way to think of an ML is that its the least "Mercedes" Mercedes. A lower quality fit and finish is an obvious compromise in getting the price to the mid $30s. First, the ML is safer than most SUVs because of superb braking, multiple airbags (my 2000 ML has six), ESP (electronic stability program), and very good handling. The cabin offers fewer frills, but really only fails in the all important cup holder department. Operationally, the biggest improvement I can think of would be a larger gas tank for a little better range and fewer fill ups.

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  Carolyns comments - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By carolyn - July 6 - 12:56 pm

  I bought my new 2006 E350 4 dr sedan last month so its hardly a relationship as of yet. I was attracted immediately to the body styling and the roomy interior without looking bulky. The trunk is spacious and can fit five pieces of luggage comfortably. I am a little disappointed with the sound system since it vibrates a little when you crank it up. The gas mileage has been fair but not what the manufactured promissed. The traction on this car is amazing as I drive a mountain road daily. It handles almost like a sports car with ride as smooth as cream. All bumps are cushioned and with the windows closed and driving around 80 its just me and my new car.

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  Good car! C280 sport - 1996 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By JOHN MOORE - July 3 - 3:20 pm

  Having owned this vehicle for a couple of years I am still impressed by the build quality and the smoothness of the drive. I am constantly told that the W202 series is of a superior build quality then the newer mercedes - my friend owns a newer Mercerdes and has been back to the dealer 5 times in 6 months so there might be some truth in this! I was worried about horror stories regarding the wiring loom cracking or the wiper motor failing (£800 for a wiper motor is extortionate!) but the only problem I have had was a wrongly diagnosed air flow sensor which transpired to be a loose wire on the spark plug coil! It drives like new dspite 125,000 miles. Only negative is rear legroom is limited.

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  The Reign of Diesels - 2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By Oilburner - July 2 - 1:16 pm

  There is some turbo lag until 2000rpms. Transmission shifts sluggishly when using comfort mode. Sport mode is a notable improvement. Past 2000rpm, the R Diesel launches into a breath depriving shove! It will surprise nearby motorists. 398ft-lbs does make a difference. Try test driving the V8 gas version, see for yourself. Suspension and handling is typical MBenz firm but no a racer. Transmission shifter takes a while to get used to. Tried it on cold icy highway conditions. Computer stability and traction programs do work in a very subtle way.

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  A Real Dog - 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By chazzjr - July 1 - 10:00 am

  Always thought I would have it made when I could afford to buy a MB. Well after 25 months and 9 repair trips not including 5 service trips, I traded the dog on a GMC. If this vehicle would have run well I would have kept it but it did not. Small things like senors, computer software and large things like new rack and pinion steering and power steering pump were just too much. Beware of your warrantys end. Repairs are very expensive and time consuming. In discussing the issues with the MB reps in USA and Germany, I found that they were more concerned about themselves than the problems I was having.

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  Great SUV. Clunky Technology. - 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
  By Scott Reid - July 1 - 4:55 am

  I just read the review about how nice the car is...except for the technology. I won’t rehash what’s already been said. But I’m shocked that a car from MB at this price point is so far behind the competition. Placing a call takes 47 steps. Trying to decipher the on screen display for anything is next to impossible. Especially while cruising down the road. The Audi Q7 that I traded in for this car was 10x more functional. And that car was a 2007!

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  2005 CLK 55 AMG - 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Mike Evans - June 29 - 9:00 pm

  I purchased my CLK 55 AMG convertible is Southampton NY. The car is fast, handles very well and is terrible on gas. (but I knew that from the start) The interior could use some work, especially the rear seats (just make it a 2 seater) Navigation system is onpoint, sound system is clean but confusing. (still havent figured out how to change the clock time) I do get compliments on the car evertime I leave the driveway.

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  Its a winner - 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By peter - June 28 - 7:36 am

  I had an 02 ML500 and currently have an 06 Range Rover. This GL450 is as comfortable as the Range Rover, roomier than both, and the best ergonomics. The transmission is excellent and I like the upshift/downshift buttons on the backside of the steering wheel. Easy to use Navigation and excellent placement of the CD changer in the glove compartment. Rear view camera is clearer than the Rover also. The Rover wins off road but the Benz wins on the highway.