2019 Mercedes-Benz

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan has been substantially revised for 2018. The flagship of the marque, the S-Class is the benchmark for all luxury sedans. It’s one of the most lavish and classy displays anywhere of wealth and exclusivity, with graceful and athletic styling, effortless power, an exceptional ride, plush interior, and sweeping standard and optional equipment.

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz S-class has long been synonymous with luxury, thanks to the car’s elegant aesthetics and compelling performance. Whether you choose the roomy sedan, sporty coupe, or indulgent convertible, these high-class Benzes are loaded with the latest technology and the richest materials. Anybody who’s somebody is a regular passenger in this world-class sedan, and it’s an easy choice for buyers who won’t settle for anything but the best. Yes, it’s expensive, but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for, and that has never been truer than when said about the S-class.

While the S450’s twin-turbo V-6 is probably plenty of engine for most drivers, it’s hard to resist the S560’s silken V-8, so it’s the model we’d select. No matter which version you choose, the S-class is pricey, so we’d be light with the options. We would, however, consider the Driver Assistance package that adds a semi-autonomous driving mode, among other driver-assist features. We’d also select the Premium package, which adds massaging front seats with heat and ventilation; a self-parking feature with a 360-degree exterior camera system; power side-window sunshades for the rear seat; and keyless entry with push-button start.

The S-class sedan is available with one of two buttery smooth and powerful gasoline powertrains: a 362-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 and a 463-hp twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8. The former is sold with S450 badges, and the latter wears S560 on its trunk lid. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive can be ordered with either engine. We clocked a rear-wheel-drive S450 at 5.3 seconds in our zero-to-60-mph test; the S560 did the deed in 4.2 seconds. Two-door models come only with the V-8 and the coupe managed a brisk 4.0-second zero-to-60-mph run at our test track. If these numbers aren’t exciting enough for you, the Mercedes-AMG lineup of S-classes(reviewed separately) is even quicker.

Imagine, if you will, the ideal luxury-car ride: comfortable with the faintest hint of floatiness, without any sacrifice to secure handling or vehicle control. That sums up the S-class’s suspension, which is the industry standard for large luxury cars. Every S-class comes standard with an air suspension and adaptive dampers, with the ability to select either Comfort or Sport mode. (Each mode has its own specific setting for steering, engine, and transmission.) There’s no hiding the Benz’s sheer size, but the car turns fine with only moderate lean and reacts promptly and smoothly to steering inputs.