From £70,4709
Likely to be the best-selling model in new Mercedes S-class range, the S 350 BlueTEC offers more of the same, nailing it on comfort and refinement

What is it?

The new Mercedes-Benz S-class is the best car in the world. At least, that's what its maker wants it to be. And it was a phrase we were inclined to see the rationale behind after our first go in the sumptuous new S-class courtesy of the range-topping S 500.

But this S 350 BlueTEC has to try and meet that bold aspiration ever more as it is almost certain to be the best-selling S-class. It's all well and good nailing the range-topper, but this bread and butter model is the one that really has to meet its brief.

To help meet the brief, Mercedes has armed the S 350 with a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine. It's the same engine as in its predecessor but armed with more power and torque, lower CO2 and improved economy that are further improved thanks to the S-class's lower weight and improved aerodynamics. 

What's it like?

Superb. The best in the world? There's a question. How can that be defined? There are definitely faster, more involving drives, but none that are as comfortable and refined. It's out on its own on as a world beater on those criteria. But we knew that already from the S 500 we tested last week, so it's the diesel engine under the S 350's bonnet that's up for judging here.

And it's business as usual for the engine; it certainly hasn't got any worse in its switch from old S-class to new. Acceleration is brisk, there's plenty of low-end torque to call on, for the most part it's inaudible from inside the cabin, and it is as buttery smooth and refined as the rest of the car.

Issues? There are a few, although none is a deal-breaker. Throttle response in the cosseting Comfort mode needs to be sharper, particularly when you need a sudden punch for overtaking but this is down to the seven-speed auto' gearbox (another carryover from old S-class to new) as much as anything.

There's also the slightest of gruff notes at start-up, a noise that reappears albeit louder under hard acceleration, something that should be a no-no in a luxury car. It's also not the most willing engine to be revved, but then your average S-class owner is hardly likely to give it the beans, or at least instruct their chauffeur to.

The rest of the dynamic package is typically excellent. The ride quality is superb, it corners flatly and handles with confidence-inspiring stability rather than any great level of driver involvement.

The ride could probably be made even better still if Mercedes' Magic Body Control (an incredible piece of engineering that can make speed bumps feel like they aren't even there) were to be offered, but it's only available on V8-equipped S-classes. Shame, but S-classes without it hardly feel like a poor relation.

The interior comfort is beyond reproach, the overall functionality and design less so. The twin front screens are a bit ugly, and the optional pair you can have in the back can only be operated by a fiddly remote or a smartphone app when you'd think they'd be touchscreen as standard in this iPad era. It can also be quite hard to find the button or menu for the command you actually want (skipping tracks on an album for instance).

Still, if all this winds you up you can always slip into the back seat, recline almost flat and have a hot stone-effect massage.

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Should I buy one?

If you are a luxury car customer who wants the most comfortable and refined car out there then the S-class is for you. A Range Rover has a much greater sense of occasion, a Jaguar XJ is much more involving to drive, but just as those two cars nail their briefs for those traits the S-class nails its own for its grown-up manners and role as a businessman's express.

But there is the slight nagging doubt that it hasn't moved the game on as much as the new Range Rover did when it arrived. It feels like more of the same, and in parts, particularly the interior, it is a bit derivative.

Maybe we're nitpicking, as this is the one car you'd pick out of any class for a 1000-mile drive, or indeed passenger ride. It's just when the aspiration is to be "the best car in the world", you expect that extra five per cent, be it in a revolutionary new engine, gearbox or particularly an interior more in tune with the Apple generation, that will allow it to top any class in addition to its own. 

Mercedes S 350 BlueTEC L SE Line

Price £65,650; 0-62mph 6.8sec; Top speed 155mph; Economy 50.4mpg; CO2 148g/km; Kerb weight 1975kg; Engine V6, 2987cc, turbodiesel; Power 254bhp at 3600rpm; Torque 457lb ft at 1600-2400rpm; Gearbox 7spd automatic

Mark Tisshaw

mark-tisshaw-autocar
Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

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suman 20 July 2014

The ride not as good as a 7 year old Lexus LS

I got a 2014 S350 BlueTec as a courtesy car yesterday and after driving it for 30 minutes on West London's pockmarked streets in both comfort and sport modes, I can unequivocally state that the ride is not a patch on the Lexus LS460 air sprung version.

Yep, even my 7 year old LS has a calmer, smoother ride.

joselema 10 July 2013

New Mercedes S Production Delayed

Not a good start. After taking orders in Portugal with delivery date of July 20, Mercedes has delayed delivery by at least three months. Mercedes did not even notify buyers that had placed orders in May of the delay. Does this signal production problems for the new model?

iamnotbritishan... 10 July 2013

good things happen to those

good things happen to those who wait

Citytiger 7 July 2013

The problem with the S-Class

The problem with the S-Class these days, is it screams, I have or need someone to drive me, but I cant afford a Rolls Royce or a Bentley. Range Rovers have far to many footballers as owners, whilst the XJ says to me, I can afford a driver, but I prefer to do it myself, the XJ may not be the better car, but it is 90% as good, and not something you expect a third world dictator to arrive in.