Mercedes S-Class S500L 4Matic AMG Line Premium Exec 4dr 9G-Tronic Review
Category: Luxury car
Section: Version review
The model
Read full reviewThe Mercedes S-Class is packed to the rafters with technology, and is also a very comfortable and exceedingly well-appointed luxury saloon. The Audi A8 is more refined, particularly if you're looking for a diesel, but we’d opt for the S580e anyhow. It’s one of the most impressive plug-in hybrids on sale, combining many of the best points of the standard S-Class with a substantial real-world electric range and low company car tax. On top of all of that, the S-Class’s interior simply can’t be beaten for sheer wow factor.
The trim
See full equipmentEntry-level AMG Line gets plenty of kit including 19in alloy wheels, air suspension, keyless entry and start, metallic paint, adaptive LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, soft-close doors and a powered boot lid. Step inside and you’ll find nappa leather covering the heated front and rear seats, with full electric adjustment, including lumbar support, up front. Then there's the four-zone climate control, the nine-speaker stereo, the 12.3in digital driver’s display, the 12.8in infotainment system with wireless smartphone charging and the 64-colour ambient LED lighting. We'd go for the next model up, though, which is AMG Line Premium. It adds the option of the long wheelbase, plus electrically operated and cooled rear seats, a panoramic sunroof, a 360-deg parking camera and a 710-watt/ 15-speaker Burmester sound system.
The engine
See full engine specsThis 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six petrol engine is assisted by mild hybrid technology so it has plenty of power from low down in the rev range. Push it harder and it’ll sprint from 0-62mph in a mere 4.9sec while making a cultured six-cylinder muted growl. More importantly, it’s hushed when you’re pootling around and barely audible at a cruise. The official average fuel economy is around 35mpg – not as impressive as the diesels but still good for a car of this size performance, and one fitted with four-wheel drive as standard. Unsurprisingly, it sits in the 37% BIK tax bracket, but all the current models do and that doesn't stop it from being our pick.
