2000-2006 Mercedes-Benz S-Class/CL-Class: Road Test

With the 2000 S-Class, Mercedes-Benz produced a leaner, sportier-feeling flagship sedan. A silken, hushed performer, it delivers strong pickup, great crosswind stability, confident handling, super braking, and an absorbent ride. Still too big and heavy to qualify as nimble, the sedan is pleasantly responsive, able to hustle along twisty roads with poise. You might notice a trace of wobble on expressways when in the wake of large trucks, and some side-to-side pitching on uneven pavement. Mild "float" can occur over big pavement dips, but that can be cured by switching to a firmer damping schedule. In any mode, the S-Class confronts rough pavement with granite solidity. Active Body Control keeps cornering lean modest. Acceleration is swift, smooth, and nearly seamless. AMG models have robust power reserves and provide effortless passing response. An S500 yielded 16.6 mpg--impressive for this sedan's class. Braking is strong and easily modulated. Engine, road, and wind sounds are nearly nonexistent. Most controls are intuitive, but a daunting array of seat, climate, audio, and communications features takes time to learn. The navigation system projects route guidance into the main instrument cluster, but operation is complex. Not only does the main screen wash out in certain light conditions, but cursor-selected functions can be a real distraction. Seating is supportive and long-distance comfortable, though the benefits of "massaging" seatbacks are dubious. Head room is generous and leg room limousinelike, front and rear, but a narrow cabin discourages three-across seating in back. Outward visibility is outstanding. Primary gauges are unobstructed, but their electronic presentation is one-dimensional and does not dim sufficiently at night.

Value for the Money
Ranking as a world-class luxury-sedan benchmark, the S-Class substitutes technological sophistication for its predecessors' unapologetic size and uncompromised material. High resale values translate to lofty prices at the luxury used-car lot.