Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The S-class is a large rear-drive saloon that invented the word ‘isolation’. Packed with every conceivable gadget, the S-class is traditionally a place where new technology is debuted – and because this is Merc’s flagship it usually works faultlessly.

• Comfort

  This is where the S-class starts to earn its not-inconsiderable cash outlay. The ride quality is exceptional, the isolation all but complete. No wind noise thanks to double-glazed windows, heated/ventilated and massaging seats, oodles of space - there's nothing quite like it.

  

• Performance

  There are five engines to choose from; one diesel - a three-litre with 235bhp - and four petrols - a 3.5-litre V6, a 5.5-litre V8, a 6.2-litre V8 and a 6.5-litre V12 with a jaw dropping 604bhp. The 350 CDI might not have the power of its bigger petrol siblings, but with 235bhp it still moves the heavy S-Class with comparative ease. Acceleration is strong and wilful, and it cruises comfortably, with plenty of torque on kickdown when Sir in the back wants you to overtake. However, for real speed you need the 5.5-litre V8. The S is a heavy car, but the engine's 388bhp can soon overcome the inertia. Kick away from rest and a long flickering of traction warning light gives way to a massive elastic force that doesn't fray until well into three figures of speed, a debonair series of flicks of the rev needle signalling upshifts through the smooth seven-speed 'box.

  

• Cool

  As a diesel and in a relatively low spec, the S looks like a posh private hire limo. When you start adding in the daft engines and tech, it starts to look a bit more attractive. Don't like taking the Lear? Then the S65 is the car for you - it's better than a Maybach and half the price.

  

• Quality

  Take a ballbearing in your hand and weigh it thoughtfully. That's the kind of engineering you're talking about in an S-class; incredibly satisfying and might last longer than you do. Great materials, lovely interior, the kind of clunk-thunk that you get when you slam a 1000kg safe door into a timelock.

  

• Handling

  The ride is carpet-smooth and it stays that way in town, a place where rivals get notoriously antsy. Choose the optional Active Body Control system, which continually measures what the body's up to and hardens the suspension on whatever wheel is needed to keep the body free of roll and pitch. One fiendishly smart wrinkle to the system is that it replaces anti-roll bars, so the anti-roll settings fall under software control. This has a big influence on cornering - ask any race engineer. This means a trace of turn-in oversteer at low speed to make it feel agile, and understeer when it's going quicker, for stability and steering feel.

   

  

• Practicality

  There's a long wheelbase if you need the extra limb space, but otherwise the S-class is eminently practical. The boot is a generous (massive) 560-litres and there's enough space for four in total comfort. There's nothing out there to match it.

  

• Running costs

  Expect huge bills but also expect the car to be worth more in three years than its rivals.