Mercedes-Benz S-Class review

This section is unlikely to detain prospective S-Class owners for too long. Indeed, Mercedes claims that 80 per cent of buyers in Western Europe are repeat customers (70 per cent in the US) and nothing cost related is going to stop them getting on board.

At the time of writing with limited options available in the UK, prices start at £109,550 for the long wheelbase S500 L in AMG Line Premium trim. Swap that to AMG Line Premium Plus Executive and you'll be paying £120,905 but you'll have added 21-inch wheels, the fancy Digital Light headlights, massage seats, the augmented reality head-up display, electric sun blinds, a footrest on the back of the front passenger seat, illuminated seatbelt buckles, a 7.0-inch rear seat tablet, wireless phone charging in the front and rear.

The S500's 3.0-litre petrol engine delivers a claimed combined fuel consumption of 32.9mpg, and CO2 emissions of 195g/km.

What's the one to have?

If you can get there it's the S580e L, starting at £123,425. Yes, it’s a lot of money, but this is the one that offers the best value for the technology involved. The hybrid is also the most future-proofed. But that only goes so far and the one thing we know about big luxury saloons is that they depreciate. Hard.

So Merc can brag about 50 electronic components capable of receiving over-the-air updates (including the MBUX, driver display, and driving assistance systems). It can also bang on (commendably) about the new S-Class’s use of sustainable materials, but residual values won’t be great. As ever, this makes a great buy three-to-five years down the line.

As expected, the AMG S63 E Performance is on another level when it comes to price. Available in either 'Night Edition' or 'Touring' trims (the latter sadly isn't an S-Class estate) prices for both start at £188,820 before you've ticked any boxes.

Night Edition trim essentially gives you black wheels, lots of black trim and carbon fibre inside, while the Touring still gets plenty of chrome and silver wheels.

As standard the S63 comes with a huge amount of kit - too much to list here - but you'll still want to consider splashing out an extra £8,995 for the AMG Performance Package. That brings massive carbon ceramic brakes and ups the top speed to 180mph.

On all S-Classes you'll also pay £3,000 extra for the Rear Seat Entertainment System and its two 11.6-inch screens with matching wireless headphones.