This-generation S-Class has grown slightly in all directions over its predecessor, meaning in practicality terms the Mercedes-Benz is better than it ever has been. There’s more headroom for the driver and rear-seat passengers can enjoy an extra 14mm of kneeroom and 9mm of shoulder room – that may not sound a lot, but the S-Class cabin was already of formidable dimensions. Opt for the long-wheelbase car and there’s acres of room to stretch out back there, with the option to increase space by moving the vacant front passenger seat forward.

If being chauffeured around in even more space – and cost is less of an issue – the Mercedes-Maybach S 650 is simply palatial in the rear. Available as both four- and five-seat models we suspect the former may prove popular, even if the latter is the more flexible layout. Still, if you do opt for the four-seater you’ll benefit from airline-style hidden tables, a pair of heated or cooled cupholders and plenty of covered storage. 

The middle rear seat is hampered by a relatively high transmission tunnel eating into footspace but folding down the centre armrest on these models also reveals a pair of cup-holders and lidded storage. Just behind it lies a ski hatch, Mercedes clearly not forgetting what its target customers like to use their cars for.

While the styling cleverly disguises its bulk, there’s no escaping the S-Class’s size when you’re trying to negotiate it around a tight multi-storey car park. It’s particularly broad but even more of an issue is its length – even the short-wheelbase version is over five metres long. If you intend to garage your S-Class at night, ensure it actually fits. If your budget is sufficient to allow you to consider the longest Mercedes-Maybach edition, be aware that its additional rear-seat space extends it to 5,462mm long.

Regardless of the size of the car, a four-door saloon is never going to be the most practical of bodystyles, but usefully the S-Class does have a large boot opening, allowing easy access to the 510 litres of plushly-trimmed space within. There’s a nod to practicality with an optional ski flap behind the centre-rear seat position, although models fitted with the available fridge unit have a smaller boot as space is required for the heat-exchange paraphernalia. 

How safe is the S-Class?

• Not crash-tested by Euro NCAP
• Still one of the safest cars on sale
• Some of the most advanced tech available

Given that it made its market debut in 2013, and it’s still not been crash-tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP, it’s unlikely the Mercedes-Benz S-Class will be subjected to the program now. But, given Mercedes’ reputation for safety with both passive and active systems, it’s unlikely that the S-Class would achieve anything less than a resounding five-star score. Not that drivers should take it as a challenge, but given the raft of preventative systems on board, it would prove difficult to have an accident in an S-Class in the first place.

That’s mainly down to what Mercedes terms Intelligent Drive, which builds upon and furthers the technology seen in Pre Safe and Distronic Plus from the previous-generation S-Class. The former has had its parameters extended and the Pre Safe Brake can halt the car from speeds of up to 31mph if it detects a pedestrian or stationary and slow-moving traffic in front.

Should you be sat stationary in your own S-Class, cameras monitor cars approaching from behind and rapidly flash the hazard lights should they detect a potential collision so as to alert the driver of the other car to your presence. If the driver fails to react the Mercedes will also tighten seat belts and firmly apply the brakes so as to guard against secondary impact and any occupant injury.

Wide array of safety systems

Even the seatbelts are intelligent, pulling occupants away from the direction of impact so as to lessen the effects of the accident. There are optional airbags in the rear belts too, inflating to help lessen the strain placed on the ribcage in a collision while cushions in the rear seat base ensure occupants making use of the car’s lie-flat seats can’t slip under the belt while in the same situation.

The car’s Intelligent Drive system is exactly that, using a series of sensors to make up a full 360-degree vision. Distronic Plus can follow vehicles in front at low speed for autonomous driving and will also keep you in the correct lane. Should you stray over the line towards oncoming traffic, Active Lane Keeping Assist will brake individual wheels to pull you back across to the correct side.

Also optional is Night View Assist Plus, which uses a thermal imaging camera to alert the driver to any stray pedestrians or animals in poorly lit conditions using a high-definition screen between the main instruments and will flash the LED headlights of the car to attract both their and the driver’s attention.

There’s also Attention Assist to monitor driver drowsiness and Brake Assist System Plus will bring the car to a stop should it detect a rear-end collision.

How many Isofix points does it have?

While it’s unlikely anyone will specifically by an S-Class for transporting young children, complete with sticky fingers and seemingly relentless ability to pull interior trim to bits, the outer rear seats do in fact house a couple of Isofix mounting points for child seats.