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2008 Mercedes-Benz S Class Review

August 19, 2008

STYLING | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

synonymous with state-of-the-art luxury
Edmunds

defines luxury motoring
ConsumerGuide

Continues to set the standard
Motor Trend

polished, sleek shape
Kelley Blue Book

Given its hefty price tag, one expects a head turner, and the 2008 Mercedes Benz S-Class doesn't disappoint. Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com are filled with praise for the style of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, inside and out.

As Kelley Blue Book says, the Mercedes-Benz 2008 provides a "polished, sleek shape," with its sloping front end and its classic Mercedes grille. Cars.com also singles out the front end of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz for its sleek style, stating that its "strong visual presence is highlighted by a sleek front end." The front end of the Mercedes-Benz 2008 isn't its only exterior appeal; Edmunds praises the "aggressive wheelwell flares and a wedgelike profile that's emphasized with a rising character line," and Automobile likes the "chrome/bright trim around side windows and on side of body." Motor Trend feels the latest S-Class "continues to set the standard" for full-size luxury sedans, while Car and Driver likes its “handsome exterior design,” and ForbesAutos calls it “elegant.” Cars.com reports the optional AMG Sport Package “gives the S-Class some of the look, if not the performance, of a high-performance AMG version of the S-Class.”

The S-Class's interior is very spacious and well designed; it’s “ostentatious and comfortable,” according to ForbesAutos. The outside is just a prelude to a car that "defines luxury motoring," ConsumerGuide declares. The instrument panel has a simple but very elegant design, with a broad, sweeping horizontal theme and impressive-looking wood veneers. Kelley Blue Book agrees, saying "understated elegance is the theme on the inside" of the Mercedes-Benz 2008, while noting the "amber ambient lighting" that rings the front of the cabin. Cars.com contends the interior of the S-Class "offers a level of power, luxury, technology and prestige" worthy of its hefty price tag.

At the wheel, the first obvious departure from the norm is the shift control located along the steering column, which frees up the center console area compared to other vehicles. The latest version of Mercedes-Benz's COMAND screen-based interface replaces the clutter of smaller controls in the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, but it's not always as intuitive as it could be, as will be discussed more in the Features section of this review.

Conclusion

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class oozes with luxurious style.

STYLING | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:synonymous with state-of-the-art luxuryEdmundsdefines luxury motoringConsumerGuideContinues to set the standardMotor Trendpolished, sleek shapeKelley Blue Book Given its hefty price tag, one expects a head turner, and the 2008 Mercedes Benz S-Class doesn't disappoint. Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com are filled with praise for the style of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, inside and out. As Kelley Blue Book says, the Mercedes-Benz 2008 provides a "polished, sleek shape," with its sloping front end and its classic Mercedes grille. Cars.com also singles out the front end of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz for its sleek style, stating that its "strong visual presence is highlighted by a sleek front end." The front end of the Mercedes-Benz 2008 isn't its only exterior appeal; Edmunds praises the "aggressive wheelwell flares and a wedgelike profile that's emphasized with a rising character line," and Automobile likes the "chrome/bright trim around side windows and on side of body." Motor Trend feels the latest S-Class "continues to set the standard" for full-size luxury sedans, while Car and Driver likes its “handsome exterior design,” and ForbesAutos calls it “elegant.” Cars.com reports the optional AMG Sport Package “gives the S-Class some of the look, if not the performance, of a high-performance AMG version of the S-Class.” The S-Class's interior is very spacious and well designed; it’s “ostentatious and comfortable,” according to ForbesAutos. The outside is just a prelude to a car that "defines luxury motoring," ConsumerGuide declares. The instrument panel has a simple but very elegant design, with a broad, sweeping horizontal theme and impressive-looking wood veneers. Kelley Blue Book agrees, saying "understated elegance is the theme on the inside" of the Mercedes-Benz 2008, while noting the "amber ambient lighting" that rings the front of the cabin. Cars.com contends the interior of the S-Class "offers a level of power, luxury, technology and prestige" worthy of its hefty price tag. At the wheel, the first obvious departure from the norm is the shift control located along the steering column, which frees up the center console area compared to other vehicles. The latest version of Mercedes-Benz's COMAND screen-based interface replaces the clutter of smaller controls in the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, but it's not always as intuitive as it could be, as will be discussed more in the Features section of this review. ConclusionThe 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class oozes with luxurious style.  2008 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS STYLING | [8 out of 10] Edmunds: "synonymous with state-of-the-art luxury" ConsumerGuide: "defines luxury motoring" Motor Trend: "Continues to set the standard" Kelley Blue Book: "polished, sleek shape" Given its hefty price tag, one expects a head turner, ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Each of these other models are offered in two different wheelbases (and lengths), but the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is only sold in its long-wheelbase form in the United States. The S-Class has typically been a prestige vehicle, carrying executives and captains of industry in style and comfort, but the S63 and S65 AMG models appeal to those craving acceleration that's on par with exotics, along with a sportscar feel, in the S-Class's spacious package. Audi has the S8, but it's not nearly as powerful or as exclusive as the AMGs, while BMW has the Alpina B7, an elite version with a 500-horsepower supercharged V-8. There's also the 400-horsepower Jaguar XJR that, along with the cheaper XJ, is faster than the numbers might indicate due to its lightweight aluminum body. The XJ also stands out for its distinctly British style that steers away from the crowd. There are powerful 12-cylinder models of the A8 (A8 6.0 L) and 7-Series (760iL) to match the S600; all three have smooth, silent, and immensely torquey engines, but they're gas guzzlers, each and every one. For the green crowd who must have the best, instead of a V-12, Lexus is offering a hybrid V-8 powertrain on its top-of-the-line LS 600h L model, which gets a highest-in-class rating of 20 mpg city, 22 mpg highway.

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See the Mercedes-Benz S Class in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (1 total)

  1. By Rafael #1, Posted: 9/5/2008

    url

    Marcos Pontes.

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