DRIVEN + VIDEO: The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Gets Examined UP CLOSE — Is It STILL Setting The Luxury Sedan Benchmark?

Love it or hate it, what's the competition? BMW's 7-series? Audi's A8? Lexus LS?

Couldn't agree more, people fail to realize the S Class appeal is far more than the latest technology or performance, but the package as a whole, presence, image, and reputation.

Sure the A8 is a great automobile, but Audi's lack of risk taken in design leads to lack of interest and desire.

The 7 series is nice, but has the presence of a 3 series, which happens to determine the 7's design language

The Lexus...well it had its hey day in the 90's/00's but now getting lost among its korean rivals

The Bentley and Rolls are the only ones that come close to matching the S Class in Appeal, but by the time you look at the numbers, most would rather take an AMG or Maybach version of the S and pocket $150-$200k in savings

Agree about the "loaded diaper look" of the ass end on this and all recent Mercedes. The fact that on the S-Class, the droopy exhaust finishers are FAKE makes it even more horrendous.

The new A8 has its adjustable suspension (not sure if standard of option). This S did not have the Magic Control suspension, which acts in the same manner as the A8's, and was introduced first.

shit. I meant not sure if Audi's active suspension is standard OR an option.

LOL. The VERY specific part of the video that you pointed out was just that, very specific. The Mercedes' Magic Body Control would do what Audi's Active Suspension would do to minimize that exact type of impact. That was my point. The tangent you went on regarding, well, everything else about Audi's suspension, while valid, has nothing to do with the discussion.
I only pointed out the "optional" factor b/c the Mercedes system is optional on certain models.

It is the benchmark because nothing comes close.

It looks more modern--despite having older styling--than the 7 Series. The Audi Avalon is laughably terrible at matching the S Class. The new LS came out a bit tame. The XJ is hideous and old. The Maserati Qporte is just a a duller version of the Chrysler 300.

Ironically, cars like the Continental and G90 would be my next in line after the S Class. The Continental will give you the cocoon of luxury for half the price and the G90 is a surprisingly good RWD premium sedan for half the price. Granted, the buyers of the Continental and G90 aren't likely to be S Class shoppers, but none of the S Class' real competition would get me to even consider them.

YOU all have some valid comments - BUT - you missed the most Obvious one - IT is the marketplace that establishes the Benchmark - and Obviously - the S-Class has succeeded in blazing a new position - Above the Bmw and well above the Audi - Almost to the Bentley - and nearer to the Rolls. IT is the car people want to be SEEN in.

THe Rolls and Bentley for years were NEVER the most equipped cars in the mix - BUT they were the cars that you wanted to be seen in regardless.

As long as BMW and AUDI continue to use the styling that makes their cars LOOK Smaller - and much more like their 3class cars - they do not compete with the Mercedes who starts with the S class - and trickles that down. THe Audi - especially - is hard to tell from a smaller Audi from anything but a close up view.

Eventually - either the market will change to another car - or the S-class will move into the place of the Old Maybach and compete with Rolls and Bentley.

The Mercedes S will be the established benchmark for a long time. No other car in the class puts it all together the way Benz does. Luxury. Prestige. Performance. Technology. Design.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Driving and riding in an S-Class feels like an occasion. Not the same with the 7 Series. Not the same with the current A8. Certainly not the same with the current LS. It does not appear that much will change with the new A8 or LS.

And you just make yourself to look a fool for truly believing that. Those are some pretty audacious and inaccurate statements you make, it's quite laughable. That's all that needs to be said.

Not the diesel version...
Diesel is dead dirty fuel..

The 2018 LS will be the new player in town.....

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class might be the sales leader in its class, but it is no longer the technological leader in its class. The Audi A8 offers more advanced technology than the S-Class in terms of autonomous driving capabilities and active suspension.

New A8 is a better car.

I've always imagined the old Top Gear doing a comparison of the new S and the new 7 and Jeremy Clarkson saying something like this:

"These two cars are the kings of the road, before you enter Rolls-Royce and Bentley territory at least.

The S-Class has the more elegant design, and is just that touch more refined and comfortable. The 7-Series is very close on those fronts, but is still more powerful, more fun to drive, and has more technology on offer.

You might think the win goes to the 7 then; but keep in mind, despite its disadvantages, the areas where the S-Class has the upper hand are more in tune with the typical customer base for this kind of car.

So then, the S-Class is the better choice, but the 7-Series is the better car."

I remember when cars, luxury cars used lots and lots of wood. Jaguar, Rolls Royce, Bentley and Mercedes Benz. I look at this new S class and I can admire the technology it offers. However to me it lacks presence and a sense of regalness that the original pre S class cars had. I am talking about the W108 and W109 cars from the 60's and 70's.They had the double stacked headlamps, a prominent hood with the with the Star ornament. The interior had real wood made by craftsman. The coupes of the era had even more wood. To me they were real luxury.The only cars today that somewhat match the early Benzes are the Bentley and Rolls Royce. The S class is too "Lear Jet" for me. I positively hate the interior styling. Where the wood, where is the regalness? The new S class is a technological triumph. But I would never own one even if I had the money to maintain it.