Star Cruiser

Retains the smooth, effortless and sumptuous traits that are perennial strong points of the S-Class family
Gareth Dean

With segment-defining luxury and cutting-edge technology, the new S-Class raises the bar, yet again
Damian Adams

Even though the field in which it plays has lost a great deal of ground to the SUV segment, it has to be said the arrival of a new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is always cause for great excitement in the motoring sphere. Ever since its official inception with the W116 in 1972, the S-Class has always been the material culmination of Mercedes’ best work; from craftsmanship to new technologies. On the marque’s 50th anniversary, we get to sample the latest iteration of the firm’s halo sedan.

We’re well aware of just how much technology and luxury the Stuttgart-based luxury carmaker has baked into the latest model. However, it would all be for nought if the car couldn’t maintain the standard within its segment for refinement and sheer capability behind the wheel, so we’ve put the current range-topping S500 through its paces to see if the S remains a crushing success.

Purely available as a long-wheel-base offering,