2018 Mercedes S-Class Review
Car Tested: 2018 Mercedes S-Class; Road Test No. 920
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 1.57 – 1.59 crores
With the subtle changes to the exteriors, the facelifted S-Class manages to look fresh
To be dubbed as the ‘Best Car In The World’ is an achievement but that also comes with a task to live up to the motto generation after generation. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has indeed set new benchmarks with every generation. It has literally outclassed the competition over the years. However, lately, the Germans have got into an intense battle with the new BMW 7-Series and the Audi A8 fighting it out for the creme in the luxury pie. The S-Class was the oldest of the Germans in this segment, well not anymore. Mercedes-Benz has recently given a mid-life facelift and the changes are not just skin deep. We sampled the 2018 S-Class in the quaint city of Hyderabad and here are our impressions.
Motor Quest: India saw its first S-Class back in 1972 with the W116. Mercedes claims that there are around 6700+ S-Class on the Indian roads.
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The S-Class facelift only gets minor tweaks to the exterior, more so on the face
Exteriors – Starting with the exteriors, since this is a mid-life cycle revision, the 2018 Mercedes S-Class gets very subtle tweaks. Absolutely no changes to the sheet metal or body at all. Up front there is a new grille, new tri-split LED headlights (single LED DRL is replaced by three strips of LED DRLs) and a new bumper. At the side, there are shiny new 18-inch alloy wheels. The LED tail-lights get a crystal effect and the revised rear bumper quite sums up the visual changes of the exteriors.
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Umpteen number of customisation options are possible in the facelifted S-Class
Interiors – Like the exteriors, the interiors too get minor revisions. The S-Class facelift’s cabin still has the retro, old-school charm and this is evident once you have a look at the circular AC vents and the wood trims. For starters, the 2-spoke steering wheel has made way for a contemporary-looking 3-spoke unit. We really like this 3-spoke unit. The two 12.3-inch screens (one for the instrumentation and one for the infotainment) have been merged into a single unit and honestly speaking with its stunningly sharp and clear graphics, this screen looks class apart. The COMAND infotainment system now gets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity and the cabin has been done in the finest quality of leather and other materials.
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The rear seat can be reclined 43.5-degrees rearward; has all the luxury you can think of!
Nothing beats the Mercedes S-Class when it comes to the back seat comfort
While the front seats offer great comfort and support, an S-Class is all about the back seat, isn’t it? Like before, the rear bench can seat three but the massive transmission hump makes it comfortable for two adults. Individual seats are offered as optional and you still get the regular heating, cooling and massage functions in the rear seat. The rear left passenger seat is the most luxurious of the lot, with a recline and lounge function where the latter allows the front passenger seat to be moved all the way front to deploy a footrest for the rear occupant to stretch out his/her legs. Apart from those, the facelifted S-Class also gets what is called as fragrance (6 fragrances) function. The S-Class has been the best when it comes to the rear seat and the facelift takes that a notch above. There are two 10.2-inch HD screens for the rear passenger’s entertainment, 64-colour Ambient Lighting, panoramic sliding sunroof, electrically adjustable seats (rear too) with memory function, 13-speaker Burmester Surround Sound system, THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control, wireless mobile charging and Nappa leather upholstery.
