The flagship of the Mercedes-Benz family, the S-Class offers a level of sheer prestige that few other cars can challenge. With its vault-like build quality and obsessive detailing, the S550 sets a world standard for full-size luxury.
What's New for 2016
Aside from the coupe's newly available crystal-trimmed headlamps, the S500 is unchanged.
Choosing Your Mercedes-Benz S550
As the "entry level" S-Class, the S550 is powered by a twin-turbo 4.7-liter V8 with 449 horsepower (other models carry a larger V8 or a V12). A seven-speed automatic transmission does the shifting. All-wheel drive comes standard on the coupe and is a popular option for the sedan. The standard adjustable air suspension assures a luxurious ride. For even greater comfort, you can add Magic Body Control, which uses a front-mounted camera to evaluate upcoming road surfaces and then adjusts the suspension accordingly.
The S550 comes standard with indulgences like 12-way power front seats with heat and memory, a cabin fragrance system, heated wiper blades, and automatic soft-close doors. All models get a panoramic sunroof; the coupe's features automatic tinting known as Magic Sky Control. The 13-speaker Burmester surround-sound system comes with 10GB of audio storage and Internet radio (a 24-speaker version is available). As usual for the S-Class, there's a vast array of leathers, woods, and color schemes to choose from.
The coupe carries additional standard features such as rear parking sensors, an automated parallel parking system, and keyless ignition. These upgrades are available on the sedan as part of the Premium Package, which also includes power rear window shades, hands-free trunk opening, and multicontour front seats with ventilation and massage. The coupe can get a Premium Package of its own with the multicontour seats, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system.
The Driver Assistance Package adds a suite of active safety technology, including adaptive cruise control with automatic braking and accelerating. There's also a Warmth and Comfort Package, which gets you a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats on the coupe, and all that plus power rear seats and heated armrests on the sedan. A night vision system can be added separately.
Additional rear-seat amenities are available on the sedan, including seatbelt airbags, extra seat adjustments, a refrigerated compartment, and a center console with foldout tables and heated and cooled cupholders. The coupe gets gets one distinctive option of its own, Swarovski crystal trim around the headlamps.
The S550 doesn't need any help coddling passengers, but the Magic Body Controls suspension is still something you should sample. It does an amazing job of making even the slightest road imperfections disappear.