Item: Mercedes S Class Cabriolet
Rating: 5
Author: What Car? Team

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What we're looking for:<ul><li>Wind-in-the-hair excitement</li> <li>Roof that’s quick and easy to raise and lower</li> <li>Comfortable seating for four adults</li> <li>Sufficient practicality for everyday use</li> <li>Little wind buffeting</li> <li>Quietness, whether the roof is up or down</li> <li>Minimal shaking and shimmying over bumps</li></ul>

Despite the British weather, UK car buyers are among the biggest enthusiasts for wind-in-your-hair motoring, so convertibles have always been surprisingly popular here. It’s best to be able to react to the fickle climate, though, so we’re after a roof that opens (and closes) slickly and quickly and good top-down cruising refinement.

There are precious few bespoke drop-tops these days, so your choice of models is generally limited to soft-top&nbsp;versions of existing models. Mini will sell you a drop-top version of its style-focused hatchback, if you’re after a bit of flair. The Audi A5&nbsp;Cabriolet, meanwhile, brings all of the benefits of the regular A5&nbsp;– refined engines and a beautifully finished interior. Alternatively, the much more expensive Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet is one of the most luxurious convertibles on sale.

Convertible

Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

An S560’s list price looks cheap next to that of an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/aston-martin/db11/sports/review/n17315">Aston Martin DB11 Volante</a>, but is a fair financial step up from a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/8-series/sports/review/n19193">BMW 8 Series Convertible</a>

It's a step that many will think worth making, too. The S-Class Cabriolet is superb at being a comfortable, refined cruiser, roof up or down, and offers performance and handling to enjoy, should right road present itself. After all, the Aston offers far less interior space, while the BMW’s interior lacks the visual pizazz that many buyers at this price point will be looking for.

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The AMG models swell the price tag notably; even the cheapest S63 costs the equivalent of a well-specced Ford Fiesta more. Really, unless you’re purely interested in bragging rights, we’d suggest saving the money and going for the already quick base model. For what it’s worth, the 560 also uses the least fuel and emits the least CO2, although its figures aren’t exactly low in the greater scheme of things.

It’s not like you need to dig deep into the options list with the S 560, either. Grand Edition trim brings luxuries such as 20in alloy wheels, air suspension, climate control, automatic LED headlights and auto wipers, heated and electrically adjustable front seats and heated rear seats, sat-nav, Bluetooth and DAB radio, although the full list runs far longer.

Like it’s saloon sibling, the S-Class Cabriolet also gets a vast quantity of state-of-the-art safety equipment as standard, including a Pre-Safe system that uses the seatbelts to pull occupants into the best possible position if it detects that a crash is imminent, and automatic emergency braking to hopefully prevent the crash happening. However, because <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/euro-ncap-safety-ratings-2019-%E2%80%93-how-safe-is-your-car/n17044">Euro NCAP</a> hasn’t tested the S-Class Cabriolet, we can’t compare it to rivals.

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There's certainly nothing entry-level about the S560’s 463bhp V8 engine. It plays the hushed cruiser brilliantly, but wake it up with a prod of the accelerator and it changes character immediately – it is, after all, essentially the same engine that is found in the monstrously quick <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/c-class/saloon/review/n17218">Mercedes-AMG C63</a>.

Mercedes' nine-speed automatic gearbox is intelligent enough to rely on the 560’s massive low-down pulling power rather than change down when accelerating, although switching to Sport mode encourages it to use more revs in a lower gear. In Sport, accelerator response is sharper, too, and the 560 will do 0-62mph in just 4.6 sec. Sure, the Cabriolet weighs 75kg more than the Coupé, but you'll never be able to tell.

Sport mode also adds weight to the steering and stiffens the 560’s standard air suspension, while the 2155kg Cabriolet's ability to deal with corners comes as much of a shock as its 0-62mph time. The steering is a touch heavy in Sport, but the way the 560 maintains a level body in the turns and feels eager to change direction makes it far more fun to drive than you might expect.

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Don't get us wrong – you always feel how heavy this car is, and it’s happiest at a stately cruise, but is far better disposed to spirited driving than such a big car has any right to be. Alternatively, you can switch to Comfort mode and allow the suspension to breathe, the steering to slacken slightly and the exhaust to become more muted. In this state its ride quality is impressive, with very little evidence that you're sitting in a less rigid open-top.

Large speed bumps are soaked up easily and without too much pitch and dive from the body, while typically scruffy British road surfaces glide beneath the car with only a subtle, easily ignored shiver. It's only over sharp-edged potholes, particularly when cornering, that you’ll feel a heavy thunk and shudder and just a touch of body flex; otherwise the S 560 Cabriolet is a slick, indulgently comfortable thing.

Roof up, this is about the quietest convertible on sale, with hardly any road or wind noise, even on the motorway. The engine is millpond-smooth at all revs, too, and barely audible at a cruise. We’re yet to try the super-fast V8 S63 variant, which gets a different, more aggressive suspension set-up by AMG.

Dropping any S-Class Cabriolet’s roof takes around 20 seconds at speeds of up to 30mph, and the experience doesn't get much less refined. Windows up and standard electronic wind deflector in place, there's very little buffeting at any speed, and Mercedes' standard neck-warming Airscarf feature is a welcome addition. However, those in the back will feel quite blown about at anything more than urban speeds, despite the presence of a front deflector mounted on top of the windscreen to help protect rear passengers.

Along with its saloon and coupe stablemates, the four-seat Mercedes S-Class Cabriolet represents the pinnacle of luxury and technology within the brand’s range. Indeed, you can guarantee that any new generation of S-Class will debut a selection of gadgets and gizmos designed to make life that little bit easier or safer.

To motivate over two tonnes of leather-lined drop top, you’ve a choice of two engines. Unlike the saloon, there’s no six-cylinder option for those looking to save a few quid. Instead, you can have a 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 in the S 560 or an even more powerful version of that engine, thoroughly reworked by AMG, in the S 63.

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The range of trim levels is just as simple, with the 560 available only as a plush Grand Edition. Things are only marginally more complicated for the 63; this offers a ‘base’ model and a more luxurious Premium variant. The options list is mercifully short, although there are plenty of colour combinations for the bodywork, seats and even roof.

Despite six-figure droptops being a fairly small niche, the S-Class Cabriolet certainly has plenty of competition, from the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/8-series/sports/review/n19193">BMW 8 Series Convertible</a> to rather sportier propositions such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/911/coupe/review/n98">Porsche 911 Cabriolet</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/aston-martin/db11/sports/review/n17315">Aston Martin DB11 Volante</a>.

If you want to know more, click through our detailed review for our verdict on how it drives, what it’s like inside and just how large a hole it’ll put in your bank account. And if you’re ready to buy, have a look at our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw/8-series/sports/deals">New Car Buying pages</a> for some particularly jaw-dropping savings on this and dozens of other cars as well.

Drivers of all sizes will be able to get comfortable, because every S-Class Cabriolet gives you a huge range of fully-electric seat and steering wheel adjustments, while its front seats are decently supportive in fast bends – but also supremely comfortable on long journeys. To make life even more relaxing, both front pews offer massage and memory functions and are, of course, heated, but so too are the central and door-mounted armrests. Combined with the Airscarf, you really can take pleasure in roof-down driving, no matter how cold the weather.

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The S-Class Cabriolet is every bit as luxurious as its four-door limousine and two-door Coupé cousins in other regards, too. There are swathes of fine leather on its dash, doors and seats, while its metallic switches and infotainment controller have a suitably high-end look and feel. Should you want even more sumptuous surroundings, there’s an extended leather package that swaddles even more of the interior in hide. Just bear in mind that the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bentley/continental-gt/coupe/review/n17232">Bentley Continental</a> feels even more luxurious – as you’d expect for the extra it’ll cost.

Mercedes' Comand Online infotainment system with 12.3in colour screen remains visually impressive and logical, if not quite as simple to navigate as BMW's iDrive. That’s largely because the touch pads you use to control it aren’t as easy to operate as BMW’s rotary dial controller. However, you do get used to them, and eventually appreciate how you can operate the central screen and driver’s instruments without taking your hands off the wheel. Alternatively, &nbsp;you can treat the central display as a regular touch screen if you prefer.&nbsp;

Sports

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

S CLASS

Monstrously powerful, yet exceptionally smooth, it's&nbsp;unrivalled for effortless open-top motoring

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet

There is a massive amount of space in the front for two tall adults, as well as decent oddment storage, but the two rear seats aren't quite as accommodating. There's some bargaining room on the passenger side if the front seat's occupant moves forward, but it’s a squeeze to fit two adults one behind the other on the driver's side. Even so, head and shoulder room for adults with the roof up in the back is good.

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Boot space with the roof up and divider moved out of the way stands at 350 litres (about a carry-on case shy of that offered by a Volkswagen Golf), but, divider and roof down, that volume is considerably reduced. It's good that the divider moves automatically so you don't need to get out and do it yourself, but there's really only room for a couple of large (but soft) weekend bags if you want an open-air travelling experience. Even a weekend away with three or four people will pose a loadspace quandary.

From its monstrously powerful yet exceptionally smooth range of engines to its luxurious and spacious interior, the S-Class Cabriolet is unrivalled when it comes to effortless drop-top motoring.

Mercedes S Class Cabriolet review

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Read the definitive Mercedes S Class Cabriolet 2022 review from the expert What Car? team. Check specs, prices, performance and compare with similar cars.

Along with its saloon and coupe stablemates, the four-seat Mercedes S-Class Cabriolet represents the pinnacle of luxury and technology within the brand’s range. Indeed, you can guarantee that any new generation of S-Class will debut a selection of gadgets and gizmos designed to make life that little bit easier or safer.,To motivate over two tonnes of leather-lined drop top, you’ve a choice of two engines. Unlike the saloon, there’s no six-cylinder option for those looking to save a few quid. Instead, you can have a 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 in the S 560 or an even more powerful version of that engine, thoroughly reworked by AMG, in the S 63.,The range of trim levels is just as simple, with the 560 available only as a plush Grand Edition. Things are only marginally more complicated for the 63; this offers a ‘base’ model and a more luxurious Premium variant. The options list is mercifully short, although there are plenty of colour combinations for the bodywork, seats and even roof.Despite six-figure droptops being a fairly small niche, the S-Class Cabriolet certainly has plenty of competition, from the BMW 8 Series Convertible to rather sportier propositions such as the Porsche 911 Cabriolet and Aston Martin DB11 Volante.,If you want to know more, click through our detailed review for our verdict on how it drives, what it’s like inside and just how large a hole it’ll put in your bank account. And if you’re ready to buy, have a look at our New Car Buying pages for some particularly jaw-dropping savings on this and dozens of other cars as well.,

Available to order now >

Mercedes S Class Cabriolet review

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