2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 4MATIC: Operating On Another Level

Whenever a new version of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is released into the wild, everybody pays attention.  The 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is ample demonstration of why this is the case: this full-size luxury flagship is packed full of the cutting edge technologies that have come to define the sedan, features that have already started to trickle down to other, more affordable members of the Mercedes-Benz family.

This is not a car for everyone, and that's not just because of its price (the S550 4MATIC tester I drove topped out at $121,000 after options).  You need to have an appreciation for big cars to truly 'get' the S-Class, and you must also possess an ample appetite for the 'finer' things in life to derive full benefit from its ample comforts and conveniences.  Or maybe you just need the specific desire to be chauffeured around while reposing in the vast rear accommodations of a vaguely menacing, black-on-black sedan.  If you fit any of the above criteria, then the redesigned S-Class deserves your full attention.

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Safety First

As much as the sleek profile of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class simply screams elegance, with its oh-so-long dimensions, wide track, and more streamlined sheet metal compared to the outgoing model, I'd be remiss if I didn't discuss the extreme lengths the automaker's engineers have gone through to stuff the sedan with safety gear.  Not just your standard complement of airbags and crumple zones, although the S-Class has those too - rather, the suite of semi-autonomous driving aides that can remove much of the human element from the driving experience.

In some situations, this is more than welcome: the S-Class' Distronic Plus with Steering Assist and Stop & Go Pilot system can actually steer the sedan through rush hour traffic with no intervention required on the part of the left-seat occupant.  Three radar systems (short, medium, and long range) combine with a pair of stereoscopic cameras to lock the Mercedes-Benz onto the car in front of it and follow along, moving the wheel as needed to stay on target.  I was surprised to discover that, even at higher speeds and in a fierce rain storm, the system maintained a high level of accuracy.  If you want to go whole-hog, you can also take advantage of the car's available automatic braking system (when obstacles or pedestrians are detected), lane keeping system, night vision feature, adaptive high beam headlights, and drowsiness monitor.

Comfort Second

Second only to safety is the overwhelming sense of luxury that permeates every pore of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S550's exotic wood trim and soft leather upholstery.  Want a massage while you drive?  The sedan gives you six different options.  Need the seat bolsters to automatically snug you in place when you go around a corner?  The car can do that too.  You can even order reclining rear 'First Class' and 'Executive' seat options with the extended-wheelbase version of the car that I drove, each of which offer a cornucopia of positions and features.  The S-Class also provides available '3D' surround sound audio, a huge infotainment screen, and a completely LCD gauge cluster, along with acres of room for passengers front and rear.  The vehicle's cabin is remarkably quiet, keeping the sounds of weather, traffic, and wind almost completely at bay regardless of how fast it is traveling.

Handling Third

Traveling fast is something that the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 4MATIC does exceptionally well.  There may not be a better highway weapon than the 4.7-liter, twin-turbo V8 engine that sits underneath the long hood of this executive sedan.  With 449 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque on tap, the S-Class surges forward in effortless fashion, easily making mincemeat out of less spectacularly-equipped automobiles regardless of how many doors they might feature.  The vehicle's seven-speed automatic transmission is the definition of transparency, while 4MATIC all-wheel drive (standard for the Canadian market) provides excellent grip via its continuous torque split.

An absolutely planted and insulated ride is presented by the car's AIRMATIC suspension system, which can be set to either Comfort or Sport.  Comfort eats up Montreal's horrible roads with surprising aplomb, even without the Magic Body Control predictive camera system that identifies pavement imperfections and adjusts the suspension accordingly in real-time.  Sport transmits additional vibration and reduces, but doesn't eliminate the vague nature of the car's chassis when cornering in an aggressive fashion.  This is not a sport sedan, nor is it particularly engaging to drive (regardless of whether its autonomous features are switched on or not).  This is perfectly fine, however, as those who want to carve canyons will be better served by the available AMG edition of the S-Class.  The rest of us will be happy to soar down the autoroute ensconced in this plush German land missile, oblivious to the harsh realities of the outside world.

Still A Few Bugs In The System

I did have one nagging issue during my time with the S-Class.  Roughly one third of the time I tried to use the vehicle's push button starter, it would display a 'key not found' message on the dash, despite the key being in my pocket.  I would then have to hit the lock and unlock buttons sequentially in order for the car to recognize the key.  One time I was forced to follow the instructions on the dash that told me to remove the starter button and physically insert and turn the key in the ignition.  This is not the kind of issue one expects to deal with when shelling out $121,000 for a car.

Top Dollar For The Top Sedan

Fabulous wealth is one of the world's great insulators, and the same can be said for fortune's various accessories.  The 2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 4MATIC allows you to extend your lifestyle from your very dapper downtown condo or bucolic country estate out onto whatever road you must travel to reach your equally posh destination.  The S-Class promises zero interruption as you conspicuously consume down life's most fabulous path, and for many well-heeled shoppers, that's all they ask out of a luxury car.  With enough customization options available at a cost that could theoretically add another story onto your place of residence, Mercedes-Benz cements its spot as the chariot of choice for glitterati and captains of industry.