Review: Mercedes-Benz S350d L AMG Line

It’s the best car in the world and now it’s even better still

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has, for decades, been acknowledged as one of the very finest cars on the planet. This latest generation in particular has been an exemplar since launch, and now, to stretch its advantage over the competition yet further, Mercedes-Benz has face-lifted it with no fewer than 6000 component changes.

That’s the most an S-Class has ever changed within a generation. It shows how worried the firm must be by the arrival of the new Audi A8; it also means upgrades are significant – such as the replacement of the old V8 in the S500 and V6 diesel in the S350d with an all-new 2.9-litre straight-six motor.

In diesel guise, this produces 282bhp; as a petrol, it puts out 429bhp. The latter’s performance is roughly the same as the old one, with better economy and emissions; the diesel we’re driving here is a little bit more efficient as well, but a fair bit faster; it’s now capable of 0-62mph in a scant 6.0 seconds.

While changes on the outside are slight, there’s an all-new dashboard inside, with dual 12.3in TFT screens that are fully configurable. As is the rest of the interior lighting, climate control, door panel heating (yes, really) and even the type of fragrance you want to smell. It’s a very contemporary type of luxury indeed.

The S-Class will even drive itself for you. Mercedes’ latest autonomous driving tech offers virtually hands-free progress on a much broader number of roads, using radar data overlaid with navigation to even slow down for corners it senses ahead. And if the parking space at journey’s end is too tight for you to get out, simply exit beforehand then drive the car in using a smartphone app.

What really matters is how it drives, though. Sure enough, the S-Class is still the best luxury car you can buy, by far. It’s enhanced even more by the characterful yet generally near-silent new six-cylinder engine, which complements the sumptuous comfort impeccably. Bumps are smothered, harshness smoothed away, yet the big Merc even shows a decent fist in corners, too.

The trickiest bit will be learning all the controls, made all the more daunting by all the extra functions you can see on the dual screens. Luckily, it does become more intuitive in a short space of time, at least sufficiently so for you to be confident you know roughly where to head for a certain function, even if you can’t pinpoint it immediately.

There’s no doubting the rest of the latest S-Class, though. It’s easy to be absolutely confident this is the best luxury car you can buy. BMW tried to take on the pre-facelift car with the new 7 Series, and failed. It seems Mercedes-Benz has reloaded its arsenal ready for the challenge of the upcoming new A8. It really would be the shock of the decade if Audi’s able to topple this mighty new S-Class.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class S350d L AMG Line Premium Plus

On sale Now
Price £75,505
Price as tested £82,200
Engine 6 cyls, 2925cc, turbocharged diesel
Power 282bhp at 3400rpm
Torque 442lb ft at 1200rpm
Gearbox 9-spd auto
Kerbweight 1990kg
Top speed 155mph
0-62mph 6.0sec
Fuel economy 52.3mpg
CO2 rating/BIK 139g/km, 29%

Rob Adams is a writer for AutoCar.