MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS SALOON REVIEW

For Brilliant luxury car built from the finest materials to exacting standards. Big on style and performance, this is one of the world's truly great cars.

Against Luxury doesn’t come cheap: the asking price, leasing rates and company car tax bills are all high.

What Car? says

4 out of 5 stars

The best. All the space and refinement you could want, with dynamics and refinement to die for. No surprise, then, that this is our reigning Luxury Car of the Year.

Reader review rating

4.384615

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class Saloon full review Read in full

Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Effortless performance from potent engines
Ride & Handling
5 out of 5 stars
Great agility and a superb ride
Refinement
4 out of 5 stars
Spookily quiet even driving at three-figure speeds
Buying & Owning
4 out of 5 stars
Costly to run, residuals are okay
Quality & Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Beautifully built from fine-quality materials
Safety & Security
4 out of 5 stars
Opposition to deadlocks lets the side down
Behind The Wheel
3 out of 5 stars
Comand control system can be distracting
Space & Practicality
4 out of 5 stars
More than you’ll ever need
Equipment
3 out of 5 stars
Extensive standard equipment; long list of options

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There are 8 Mercedes-Benz S-Class versions available

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Saloon S350 CDI Bluetec 4dr	£60,605	What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Saloon S350 BlueEfficiency 4dr	£62,280	What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Saloon S350L CDI Bluetec 4dr	£64,605	What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Saloon S350L BlueEfficiency 4dr	£66,280	What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Saloon S500L BlueEfficiency 4dr	£82,540	What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Saloon S63L AMG 4dr	£112,890	What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Saloon S600L 4dr	£114,725	What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Saloon S65L AMG 4dr	£164,230	What Car? says:3 stars out of 5

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Saloon S350 CDI Bluetec 4dr

With the cheapest list price, the best fuel economy and lowest running costs, this is by some way the best model in the range - and our 2011 Luxury Car of the Year

What Car? says:5 stars out of 5

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Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

You could certainly argue that, pound for pound, the S-Class is the best car in the world. Whatever you want from a luxury car, the big Merc does it - and does it very well.

There is a wide range of petrol engines which were, in all but one case, changed towards the end of 2010, plus one diesel that already meets 2014 emissions regulations. Unless you'll be the back-seat passenger or are planning to be a chauffeur, don't bother with the more expensive long-wheelbase model, though.

On top of the three-year unlimited-mileage warranty, Mercedes cars also come with the Mobilo breakdown assistance package that provides you with assistance on the road for up to 30 years in more than 30 European countries. Different benefits apply, depending on what the problem is, and full details are available from the Mercedes Customer Assistance Centre.