Mercedes S350 CDI

No test of the ultimate prestige cars would be complete without the Mercedes S-Class. The imposing saloon has made the Best Luxury Car crown at our New Car Awards its own in the past few years. With its blend of desirability, comfort and rock-solid build quality, it sets the benchmark.

If the Audi A8 wants to take the spoils here, this is the car it must beat. First blood goes to the three-pointed star, though. Despite being five years old, the Merc creates a bigger visual impact than the bland A8. With its massive grille and imposing dimensions, the S-Class still turns heads.

The long-wheelbase model in our pictures has extra appeal thanks to the AMG Sports Package, which adds a neat bodykit and 19-inch alloys, as well as an eye-watering £5,665 to the price tag. Climb aboard, and it’s clear why the S350 CDI is a such a hit with captains of industry. The interior is extremely spacious, and occupants in the rear are treated to bags of head and legroom.

Better still, the seats are extremely comfortable and covered in high-quality leather. The dashboard is distinctively styled and logically laid out, while the COMAND cabin control set-up is much simpler to use than the Jaguar’s fiddly touchscreen system. And although the design lacks the flair of the newer Audi, it’s still a special place in which to spend time.

As with the A8, the S350 loses out to the XJ on kit. Sat-nav, xenon headlamps and a powered tailgate are standard, but you’ll have to pay extra for a reversing camera and air-conditioned seats – both are included on the Jaguar.

Sadly, matters don’t improve for the Mercedes at the test track. With a hefty 2,060kg kerbweight, it took 7.2 seconds to complete the 0-60mph sprint – that’s a full 1.1 seconds behind the less powerful Audi. On the road, this difference in performance is less obvious. The 3.0- litre V6 diesel delivers a hefty 620Nm of torque, while the seven-speed auto is tremendously smooth.

As a result, the S-Class has effortless real-world pace – a fact highlighted by the engine’s near-silent power delivery. Given its dimensions, it’s surprising to find that the car handles remarkably well. While its steering isn’t as sharp as the Audi’s or Jag’s, the Mercedes slices through bends with precision. Set the air-suspension to Sport mode and body roll is more controlled, helping the car maintain its composure even during extreme cornering.

But the S350 is at its best when cruising. The supple ride soaks up the worst bumps and creates the impression that you’re floating above the road surface. This illusion is only broken by the occasional pothole that can thud through the cabin – although you hear, rather than feel, its effects.

Noise levels are extremely low, too. Neat additions such as double glazing allow the Merc to waft along at motorway speeds with virtually no interference from the outside world – a noise reading of 64dB at 70mph was 2dB quieter than the XJ and A8. On the evidence of this showing, the Audi and Jaguar will have to pull out all the stops if they want to topple the S-Class.

Details

Chart position: 1
WHY: Mercedes celebrated its 125th birthday in January, and its experience shows, the flagship is still the luxury car to beat.