There are vehicles and then there are status symbols. Sometimes you'll find that a vehicle has become an icon. We have seen it happen with the Toyota Prius when Hollywood's A-listers decided to show they were environmentally conscious. It also happened with the likes of music artists and professional athletes when the first-gen Cadillac Escalade debuted. It meant something more than just having an object in your garage.
But if there's one vehicle that's been a global phenomenon, it would be the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It's not simply relegated to the NFL's elite or big-time C-level executives running the globe's largest enterprises. It really stretches the gamut with heads of state being chauffeured in an S to it being used as many of New York City's "black car" private limo service. There is one constant though.
Mercedes-Benz S-ClassIf you've acquired an S-Class, you've arrived.
Not only is it because it costs a pretty penny — base price starting at $95,650* — it's also because it is a large luxury sedan that's constantly at the cutting-edge of automotive technology. While I could curate an epic list of the S-Class' firsts, I will provide two examples that should get the point across: One is the anti-lock braking system (ABS). What car doesn't have that today? Another is the airbag. The S was the first production car fitted with it as standard equipment. Once again, it became the industry "must have" after the S paved the way.
*Not including title, taxes and fees.Mercedes-Benz S-Class
So when I touched down in San Francisco and I received an email that the press vehicle that was supposed to be loaned to me suffered a flat en route, and it had been replaced with the flagship, you can imagine I was far from being bummed.
As I approached it in the parking lot I noted it was painted a rather interesting shade of white. No, it wasn't a flat white or a pearlescent white. It was a matte white from the factory that appeared to have some metallic flake in it when you got up close. Now that's something you don't see everyday. While the S-Class has long, sweeping lines that flow from front to back, the matte paint draws more attention to it. While I think this matte look works on more angular cars — e.g., the Mercedes-Benz G-Class or any Lamborghini — it didn't seem to entirely make sense on the S. It sure did get noticed though.
Pulling up to one of the city's fine dining restaurants, the valet put it up front and insisted on not charging me.
Opening up the S' solid-feeling door, I felt like I was being beckoned into its cabin. And much like the exclusive exterior paint, my particular test car has an equally unique interior by the company's Designo department. Rather than the standard black or beige interior that can be boring and unimaginative, this S featured dark blue leather seating and a dark blue leather upper dash. The leather dashboard, door cards and carpeting was beige. Bringing this all together was a dark wood trim as well as the vehicle's silver-colored switchgear. With the diamond-patterned leather work on the door panels, dash and parts of the seats, it's a bit shout-y, but there's no denying the attention to detail and level of quality.
Compared to the last-generation S-Class, this is a tremendous step up. When compared to its direct competitors, the S is well ahead of the Audi A8 and destroys the current-gen BMW 7-Series as well as the Lexus LS. No one is even in the same ball park.
And, boy, does the three-pointed star deliver the technology. Once you get behind the wheel you are confronted by two massive displays. Your instrument panel is full of the typical settings one would expect in a luxury sedan of this caliber, but the real show is the infotainment screen that provides a lovely user experience. Known as COMAND, I've been a fan of this system over Audi's MMI and BMW's iDrive for a while now. This hasn't changed. Controlled via a rotary dial as well a touchpad now located on the center console, to me, it's a very easy system to get used to thanks to its hierarchical setup. It's not overly menu-based, like iDrive, and it isn't rife with confusion, like MMI.
Then there's the things you don't see. One example is the fragrance stored in the glove compartment, which provides a Mercedes-Benz-specific scent throughout the cabin. This has already been copied in BMW's all-new 7-Series and I am sure more will follow suit. Another is one of my favorite features, DISTRONIC PLUS. This is a radar-guided cruise control system that makes stop and go traffic essentially effortless. Just make sure to keep your eyes open and steer it in the right direction.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
So, let's see. So far the S looks the part as it's stately — and in my eyes timeless — it has unbelievable build quality and the technology would require another 1,000 words to go through because it is the disputed benchmark. This all sounds mighty impressive, and it is. But, this all pales in comparison to how this vehicle rides.
When you push the start button and the S comes to life it doesn't make much of a hubbub. Mercedes leaves that part for the AMG division with the burly S63 and S65 models. Whether you hit the road on a busy urban street or in suburbia, the first thing you're likely to notice is how silent this car cruises down the boulevard. Thanks to the S' sound deadening and dual-pane glass, it's like a library. A well-trimmed one, at that.
My favorite thing about this car though is the way it handles bumps. Rather than feel like you've hit a pot hole, it actually feels like you transverse over it. It's very hard feeling to describe, but I'll put it this way: No other sedan drives like this aside from the Rolls-Royce Phantom and Bentley Mulsanne.
Does the S have a better ride than those two? Well, no, but it's close. When you consider you're going to have to spend over $300,000 for one of the Brits, the S can be considered the bargain of the century. Remember: The S-Class destroys all of its direct competition and for me to even compare it to two of the most exorbitantly priced autos on the market is saying something.
Unlike many of today's luxury sedans, the S550 isn't wearing a mask and trying to be sporty. It knows its role and sticks to it. And, it does it better than the rest of them. It's not made for enthusiast's with a hankering for some excitement but it is built as a tool to take the chore out of driving.
It delivers and it has completely redefined expectations for what a luxury sedan should be.
The Good:
- I just love the way this suspension is dampened. It may have a little bit of "float" in it, but it feels as a luxury car should. No other car in the class at this time rides like it.
- From generation-to-generation, this S-Class' interior is a HUGE step up from the last-gen S and is now the class-leading benchmark
- Easily the latest and greatest tech in the business
The Bad:
- Although I love the way this vehicle rides, I have to caution that there is a bit of "float" in the way the suspension is dampened. If you don't like it this means you'll find yourself in Sport mode all the time.
- Questionable interior styling — it's a bit overkill with all the diamond-patterned stitching
- It certainly isn't cheap — base price starts at over $95,000
The Lowdown:
For me, this generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class has really trumped its competition. As I noted above, the only vehicles that ride similarly are the flagship Bentley and Rolls-Royce. Though it may be expensive, I must say that if you're comparing it to those two it's the bargain of the century. And, even among its direct competitors it is such a leap forward that, frankly, it can get away with its price point. Though the standard S-Class is not the pick for an enthusiastic driver, it is easily the best when it comes to delivery a disconnected, comfortable, luxury car experience. And I am completely fine with that.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class 
