2014 MERCEDES-BENZ S500 Long Review

This chapter is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class’ business card, so we found plenty of reasons to hug this car, just like it does with us. Alas, the experience is, surprisingly, not all milk and honey and this has to do with Mercedes’ character.

You don’t need to be in the know to figure out that the seats in the Mercedes S-Class are something you want to spend your time in. They effortlessly make the ones on the Audi A8 or BMW 7 Series seem like a thing for the masses.

The Mercedes S-Class’ front seats feel like they’ve always got their hands spread wide and are ready to welcome you. This feeling is reinforced once you get to use them and it’s maintained throughout the journey. Thanks to clever engineering, the thermal management is ahead of anything else on offer today. Mercedes seats were among the few on the market that came with a cooling function you could actually use, but these are one step beyond that.

And they haven’t just refined the cooling or the heating process. They’ve also added a heating function for all the armrests in the car. Elbows pleased then. Unfortunately, speaking of arms and legs, we have to mention that the padding around the cabin is rather frugal.

Your car-configuring character will really be put to a test when ordering an S-Class. It all starts with a classic rear bench. However, while the normal model gets three rear seating packages, a long version like the one we drove comes with no less than five.

Go Executive and you’ll be able to use the reclining function up to a record angle of 43.5 degrees. This may be just a number, but when you’re in here enjoying it, you’ll never want anything less once you get out of the car.

And while those extra cushions strapped to the rear headrests may seem like a cheap trick, you’ll fall in love once you get to use them. The interesting thing is that these top-class rear seats even seemed to offer superior lateral support to those up front.

The big kahuna(s) sitting in the back can use the remote control to take over just about every function of the car that matters. This includes the Command features, so you’d better treat them with respect.

Alas, there’s one flaw in the S-Class that has a pretty big impact on the overall experience. There’s a certain feel you get when riding in the back that seemed to make us sick much easier than in other vehicles. This is a problem we’ve encountered in all Mercedes models riding on air springs. The Active Body Control on the S-Class does make things better, but you can still feel the issue.

It’s ironic then how the S-Class feels miles ahead of the its competitors in terms of comfort, but has this issue that you can’t easily overlook.

Body and Chassis

All the Mercedes S-Class models are now hybrid, even if we’re talking about AMGs. We are, of course, referring to the aluminum hybrid body shell of the vehicle. The lightweight metal is used for the fenders, doors, roof, hood, boot lid, as well as frontal crash structures. Steel is features in elements such as the passenger cell and B-pillars.

Compared to the previous generation, the normal version of the S-Class (W222) is1.57 inches (40 mm) longer, 1.1 inches (28 mm) wider and 0.8 inches (20 mm) taller. When it comes to the long wheelbase S-Class (V220), this gains 5.1 inches (130 mm) of extra length versus the normal model, keeping the rest of the dimensions untouched. Thus, the 2014 Mercedes S-Class Long is 1.65 inches (42 mm) longer than the car it replaces.

Not only have the dimensions increased a bit, but the structure is now 50 percent more rigid. Despite this, Mercedes claims that the new S-Class is up to 220 lbs (100 kg) lighter than the replaced model. Take this with a grain of salt though, as the new extra equipment can counterbalance this.

Powertrain

When it comes to output, the S-Class takes the Mercedes line-up cake. The S500 we drove uses a twin-turbo 4,663cc V8 like any other “500” in the company’s range, with the exception of the G500. Nevertheless, the engine is tuned to deliver a higher output for the S-Class. Amusingly, this is also true for the SL500, but the S500 is even more powerful than that. In numbers, we’re talking about 455 HP and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque.

The unit is mated to the 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission. The latest tech refresh gifted the gearbox with a few tweaks, chief among which is a new torque converter.

Road Connection

The main tech asset of the Mercedes S-Class suspension is the Active Body Control (ABC) system. This employs four spring struts fitted with hydraulic cylinders that vary the force in each of the units. For the new generation, the ABC has been upgraded using small hardware and software tweaks.

The 2014 Mercedes S-Class features an electro-mechanical Direct-Steer system. The electric assistance allows the system to adjust the extra torque at a superior refinement level. It also offers a pleasant menu of assistance levels according to your speed and you’ll instantly feel this. In addition, there’s an extra function that invites the driver to countersteer if things get sideways.

Stopping Power

Our S500 test car was fitted with discs measuring 370 mm up front and 360 mm at the rear. However, despite the massive size of the rotors, the true sopping abilities of the Mercedes S-Class lie in its safety systems. For example, once your foot is swiftly taken off the gas pedal, the pads are put into slight contact with the rotors, so that you have maximum braking power at your disposal.

The Mercedes S-Class has always been some sort of “Grandfather of all knowledge” when it came to introducing new technologies to the market. As expected, the new generation is no exception. You could probably spend your next vacation reading the user manual, but we’ll offer you more of a weekend read here.

Once you get settled into the 2014 Mercedes S-Class, you’ll probably feel a slight scent of perfume. Spend some time inside the car and you’ll notice how well the feature was integrated. Yes, you’ll feel when it’s being spread inside the car, but it immediately gets dispersed, so you never get suffocated. There’s something in your brain will instantly tell you this is an expensive fragrance.

This kind of aromatherapy in cars is nothing new, you could have one in a Citroen C4 costing as much as an S-Class handkerchief, but the Mercedes refines the process. You can choose the intensity and select the flavor. You can even bring your own - if only we would’ve packed granny’s apple pie...

Speaking of adjustments, you’ll need to turn to the new Comand system in order to do most things in this car. The menus are now animated and you’ll treat this with the elation of a childhood Christmas morning... for the first five minutes.

Afterwards, you’ll realize that you need to wait for the system to do its thing each time you want something from it. If, let’s say, you’re driving along and you want to change the ambient lighting color, you have to let the car dance around on the screen before being able to do that.

In the end, the day is saved by the palm rest, which holds buttons that you can use as shortcuts for different commands, so you don’t have to immerse yourself in the menus anymore.

Mercedes has always had a fetish for over-engineering stuff and this is clearly shown in the menus. If we found a menu that told us there was no menu inside it, we wouldn’t be surprised. There are, of course, also parts of the digital realm that please one and the Burmester audio system is one of them. Everything here looks and feels premium, from the aforementioned menu to the audio hardware.

The vast cabin of the S-Class can be flooded with 1,540 watts of power via 24 speakers and the clarity is simply enchanting. There is one tiny detail we have to include though - we still feel that Bang & Olufsen is a little bit ahead. It’s a pity they’ve dropped the collaboration with the Danes to work with their German audio producer.

While the audiophile inside of you is enjoying the day, you’ll probably also be curious about the new hot stone massage. To put it shortly, there’s no Thai specialist with warm hands hidden inside the seats. Instead, you’re going to be experiencing the sum of the system’s parts. The seat will be heated selectively and the multiple massage cells will do their usual job. Not bad though.

The 2014 S-Class should also be good with children. We weren’t able to find the menu for this, but it certainly has to be an excellent tool for telling them bedtime stories with animals. We know for a fact that the car can make the difference between all the mammals in the world at night.

Its night view system has a database that allows it to tell a human from an animal. It needs this because the system is designed to briefly flash a beam of light at people at the side of the road. You really wouldn't want to see what happens when you do this to a kangaroo, so it’s programmed not to.

The night view is displayed by folding the speedometer and rev counter. It gets one big screen that will provide plenty of assistance whenever you need it. We also used the display during the day just for the fun of it.

Mercedes-Benz describes its S-Class as some sort of mystical creation, telling us that the car has six eyes, its cameras, as well as six years, its radar sensors. Thus, the vehicle gains 360-degree vision. This “eye in the sky” system is used by the various safety systems of the S-Class and we’ll go over the ones that have “new” or “upgraded” written all over them.

Crossing traffic and pedestrians occupy top spots on the “watch out!” podium, so the 2014 Mercedes S-Class comes with Brake Assist Plus and Cross-Traffic Assist. These can detect the aforementioned two and boost the braking pressure you apply to avoid an impact.

Once you’re out of the city and you come across broken lane markings, Active Lane Keeping Assist recognizes traffic on the oncoming lane. Should the system detect undesired lane departures, it can use selective braking to keep the car in its place. The system works just fine, albeit being a bit brutal in operation. Maybe a punishment for the lack of attention.

Perhaps you’re further into your trip and night falls. You’ll be happy to know that those all-LED headlights come with Adaptive Highbeam Plus. You’re basically invited to switch on the high beam all the time, as the system doesn’t dazzle oncoming traffic - the advanced hardware allows it to mask out the vehicles that shouldn’t be in its cone of light.

Pedestrians should clap their hands when a Mercedes S-Class goes by, as it comes with the PRE-SAFE Brake. This can detect pedestrians and perform autonomous braking. There’s also PRE-SAFE PLUS, which is there to take care of rear end collisions. The system flashes the rear hazard lights if it detects an imminent threat. It will also activate the stationary car’s brakes to reduce the risk of whiplash injuries and prevent you from crashing into another vehicle.

When you strap yourself in, you’ll notice that the seatbelt buckles stand out, they’re not your average ones. These are intelligent parts that help the PRE-SAFE impulse pull the driver and front passenger away from the direction of an impact during the initial part of an accident.

As for the passengers in the back, they can benefit from the PRE-SAFE rear package. Mercedes engineers know people tend to avoid using their seat belts in the rear, so they’ve fitted the car with a concierge - an illuminated belt buckle that extends and retracts by itself. If you ask them, they’ll tell you that the system is there to better fasten your belt.

Speaking of seat belts, the ones in the rear are fitted with beltbags. These do exactly what you’d expect, acting like some super-padding in the event of a crash. Apparently, people using reclined seats can go “submarining” during and accident. This actually refers to sliding under the belt and the S-Class hides a cushionbag under the upholstery to keep you from doing that.

From behind that two-spoke steering wheel, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class feels well planted on the road. The credit mainly goes to the ABC suspension, but we’re also talking about small tweaks everywhere else. Compared to the old S-Class, this one offers more feedback to the driver, earning key points for this chapter.

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class hasn’t been subjected to an official crash test so far. Nevertheless, it’s... safe to gift it with the maximum score for this chapter.

The 2014 Mercedes S-Class brings a natural generation change evolution for the model. The character of the car remains largely unchanged, it’s been refined in most of the areas that matter.

Of course, natural progress for the S-Class means it has to once again lead the market in terms of technology. And it does. S-Class Mercs have been driving themselves on public roads ever since the mid 90s, but this is the first time when a production car actually gets fitted with such tech. At the moment though, the autonomous part of the Mercedes S-Class is just an indication of things to come, you’ll never find it completely dependable.

On the other hand, the world still isn’t ready for cars that think on their own. In the end, this grants the engineers with some extra years to make the technology perfect.

It’s pretty easy to crumple under your own weight when you’re as important as the S-Class, but the new model has elegantly avoided the problem. To do so, it has simply stuck to its traditional way of treating things. This evolutionary path brings out both the best and the worst sides of the car.

You can’t help but admire all the presence hidden within the discretion of an S-Class. We drove the 2014 Mercedes S500 Long, or 2014 Mercedes S550 for Americans. This offers just about any creature comfort you can think of and some you may not have imagined. However, it doesn’t make a show out of it. The combination between the two aforementioned assets makes up the best side of the vehicle.

As for the worst side of the 2014 Mercedes S-Class, this is also a split title. A part of it goes out to the way in which the air suspension can make you dizzy when you ride in the back. The rest of title is awarded to the fact that Mercedes insists on making the driver feel like a chauffeur. This happens to a smaller extent than before, but it’s still annoying that an Audi A8 Long can give you a better time behind the wheel. This is especially relevant since a great deal of the customers drive the S-Class themselves.

Regardless of these issues, you still can’t compare the S-Class to anything from its current competition. Unless you’re a fan, there’s no reason to choose an Audi A8, BMW 7 Series or Lexus LS at the moment. The Audi and the Lexus are the ones we’ve set our eyes on though. We’re waiting to see how their next generations will compare to the Mercedes. Nevertheless, they’ve both received facelifts recently, so we’ll have quite some time to kill.

The US 2014 Mercedes S-Class range only includes long wheelbase models, starting with the S550, which is virtually identical to the European S500. The 2014 Mercedes S550 comes with a starting price of $92,900, plus a $925 destination charge. Should you opt for the 4Matic all-wheel drive version, be prepared to spend at least $95,900 on it.

In Europe, the Mercedes S500 can be yours starting from EUR 104,601, with the elongated version retailing for an extra EUR3,000 - the prices include 19 percent VAT.