The S-Class is Mercedes flagship and that means it's the car which showcases the firm's
engineering expertise.
And considering how good the old car was this new version has some very big boots to fill.
In order to do that it must offer the upmost in luxury, unprecedented comfort, impressive
handling and world leading technology.
Speaking of which according to Mercedes this is the first car in the world not to feature
a single traditional light bulb.
That's LED, LED, LED, TFT.
You get the idea right...
No normal bulbs.
Yet despite being all new this latest S-Class looks very similar to its predecessor.
But that's no bad thing as the shape is effortlessly classy.
Inside the changes are far more dramatic and help make the new model feel even more upmarket
than before.
All the materials are of the highest class while the dual 12-inch TFT screens ensure
the cabin is a thoroughly modern affair.
There are really nice little touches everywhere.
I like the little controls for the vents and the bespoke switches which you don't get
in other Merc cars- you won't see those controls on an E-Class.
Nor these -- actually the menu control is easier to use than before thanks to these
short cut buttons.
I could go on for ages about the list of standard equipment like the leather interior, digital
radio, Bluetooth and COMMAND sat nav with online so you can turn the car into an internet
hot spot.
But what's really interesting is the options.
Okay, so this car has the new massage seats which use heater elements to similar at hot
stone massage.
And there is even different perfumes for the ventilation system -- all I need now is some
whale music on the 13-speaker stero and I have a mobile spa.
This car also has 360 view camera which is handy on such a big car, and a night vision
mode so you can spot potential hazards at night, plus it will automatically flash the
lights if it spots a hapless pedestrian.
There's even more gadgets in the back.
This is the optional rear entertainment system with 10 inch screens.
More than big enough to watch Rebecca reviewing a car almost as small as her...
Anyway back to this S-Class, which incidentally is the long wheelbase model so leg room is
very good.
However, if you are very leggy you can free up more space by moving the front passenger
seat forward.
And because these are the optional executive seats I can recline them and pop up my foot
rest.
If this isn't quite sumptuous enough then there's the even plusher 1st class seats which
can recline to 43 degreees which is the more reclined than any other rear seat.
It's all about one upmanship this car.
Though I think personally these executive seats will just about do.
In car storage is good in the S-Class too with plenty of useful cubbies dotted about
the place to store your posh drinks and snacks.
The boot is big too with room for four sets of golf clubs and it's electrically operated
too.
As for reliability -- well Mercedes came 5th in the 2013 Driver Power owner satisfaction
survey out of all the major manufacturers.
And you can rate your car by clicking here...
The new Mercedes S-Class is an incredibly safe car with a wide range of systems which
not only protect you in an accident but help prevent one in the first place.
For instance you can upgrade the cruise control so it will effectively follow the car in front
in traffic jams and even brake to a standstill if necessary -- yet it won't brake so hard
that the car behind will smash into you.
What's more the lane keep assist means the car can do the steering for you -- though
for legal reasons you do have to have your hand on the wheel, the car won't totally drive
itself even though it could.
So...
don't sack your chauffeur just yet.
Either way, whether you are in the back or doing driving yourself the S-Class really
is about as comfy as four wheel transport gets.
It's just so quiet inside that you whaft along without a care in the world.
It helps that the seven speed automatic gearbox is smooth and the standard air suspension
is just so good at ironing out bumps in the road.
It gets even better if you have the car fitted with Mercedes new majic body control as this
uses cameras to look ahead up the road and prepare the suspension for any bumps or pot
holes it sees.
The punchy engines also help make progress effortless.
They range from the sublime 3.0-litre V6 diesel which can do 0-62mph in under seven seconds
yet return over 50mpg to the ridiculous 5.5-litre bi turbo in the fire breathing S65 AMG version.
And don't go thinking a big car like this won't corner well, because the steering is
precise and nicely weighted and there is plenty of grip.
Though if I am honest a Jaguar XJ does feel sportier to drive.
And that brings me on to the downsides such as the off-set steering wheel which can make
you feel twisted behind the wheel.
You don't get that problem with the Audi A8.
Another issue is that in the UK we won't get the all-wheel drive version, and anyway if
you need luxurious go-anywhere transport the Range Rover is probably your best bet.
And finally there is the price because a BMW 7 Series is less expensive.
But not by that much.
And anyway when it comes to luxury travel it's always worth paying that bit extra to
upgrade to first Class and the S-Class...
Now you have seen our review of the S-Class you can watch our review of the BMW 7 Series
here or the Range Rover here.
And don't forget to click our logo to subscribe to the CarBuyer YouTube channel.