The rear wheel drive S-Class saloon is truly another triumph from Mercedes. This is definitely a car for the discreet and image-conscious driver and its attractive sleek and curvaceous design easily makes it stand out from the crowd. Inside the vehicle, you will feel as though you are in your own little world, as double-glazed windows mean that not a decibel of wind-noise gets through, while the complete lack of road rumble will make you feel as though you’re driving on air.

There are a total of five different engines in this range. The 3litre petrol and diesel and 3.5 litre V6 varieties come in various guises and are excellent options to choose from. The standard diesel engines achieve a respectable 34mpg, but for true speed junkies the S65 AMG is easily the chariot of choice, reaching 62mph in less than 4.5 seconds. 

When it comes to road handling, the S-Class comes into a league of its own. In standard mode, it is basically just a regular saloon, but switch on the ‘Optional Active Body Control’ and you will be truly at one with the machine. Anti-roll bars are adjusted, via the engines software and this makes a huge difference to the handling at both high and low speeds.

The engine and bodywork of the Mercedes S-Class is what has made this vehicle truly iconic for Mercedes and it wouldn’t be in keeping with the company’s strict protocol if the interior didn’t live up to such a high reputation. The level of comfort is what takes the S-Class into the ‘luxury’ category. Heated and massaging seats make any long journey an absolute pleasure, while acres of legroom in the back and front is sure to keep everyone happy. Even with all this spaciousness, the designers have still managed to squeeze in a 560litre boot.

It would be fair to say that there is no other car in this sector that can reach the bar set by the S-Class. When people think Mercedes, this is the model that will instantly come to mind, classic body shape, supreme comfort and blissful drivability. All combine to set this car way ahead of its closest competitors.

Having said all that, success doesn’t come cheap. With a price range of £53,879 to £144,880, this vehicle has become fairly exclusive and tax and insurance work to prevent make the S-Class being an attractive option for many. On the flip side, one great advantage of buying from Mercedes is that their products enjoy high residual values and the S-Class is sure to be on many people’s wish lists for many years to come.