Mercedes S350 CDI LWB
Undisputed class leader is just as good as ever
Big saloons are what Mercedes does best, and the S-Class has been the default choice for luxury car buyers for years. Whether you’re driving or being driven, it occupies a unique position as the number one – so can the Jaguar steal its crown?
From the outside, the Mercedes doesn’t have the drama of the Jaguar, but much of that is down to the unfamiliarity of the new XJ. One thing’s for sure, though, if you arrive anywhere in an S-Class it makes an impression of understated class and good taste that few rivals can match.
Open the door and the interior is sombre after a drive in the XJ. But the devil is in the detail, and that’s where the S-Class excels. Specify the £450 soft-close doors – something you won’t find on the Jaguar options list – and the experience starts from the moment an electric motor pulls the door shut with a barely perceptible whirr.
The high-quality leather trim, comfortable seats and slick dashboard design are all pure Mercedes. And while the COMAND controller isn’t as easy to use as the touchscreen set-up in the British car, the rest of the cabin is beautifully executed. Yes, the XJ feels more special, but the S-Class provides more space and visibility than its rival, especially in the back. Here, there’s much more headroom than in the Jag.
The S-Class’s 560-litre boot will also hold the most baggage. In comparison, the XJ provides 520 litres of space, although both cars get a powered bootlid as standard.
From behind the wheel, the Mercedes feels different to the cosy BMW and Jaguar. There’s plenty of space around the driver, and just a single multifunction stalk for the indicators and wipers. On the other side is the lever for the auto gearbox. It provides smoother shifts than rivals, adding to the impression of laid back comfort. Where you sense every gearchange in the Jaguar, the Mercedes delivers virtually seamless shifts.
Our test car had the Eco-Power kit. This costs £1,584 plus fitting, and liberates an extra 36bhp and 50Nm of torque from the V6 diesel. But even with it, the big saloon trailed the XJ against the clock.
In reality, there’s nothing between our trio when it comes to pace, yet the Mercedes majors on comfort. Its diesel engine is more hushed around town, and high-speed refinement is impressive, too. Best of all is the way the S-Class wafts along on its air-suspension. It glides across the road surface and copes with bumps with much less fuss than the Jaguar. Only deep potholes disturb the calm of the interior.
But don’t assume the S-Class can only do comfort. One of the most appealing aspects of big Merc saloons has been their handling prowess. And while the S-Class doesn’t offer the same sharp body control as the Jaguar, it’s incredibly capable on flowing back roads, with lots of grip and precise steering. The brakes failed to match rivals here, but that’s partly because it was the only model tested in the wet.
With its emphasis on comfort and space, the Mercedes sets the bar high in the luxury car stakes.
Details
Chart position: 1
WHY: It’s no spring chicken, but nothing mixes comfort, refinement and luxury with as much polish as the big S-Class
