Mercedes-Benz S-Class – Thom Blackett’s Opinion:
Upon my return to the office after an hour-long drive in the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550, a few thoughts ran through my head. One: I’ve never had aspirations of elevating my career to management or CEO status, but if this kind of car is the payoff I might have to reevaluate my life plan. Two: a few minutes behind the wheel of this superb machine could possibly straighten out any wayward teen, pointing him in the direction of hard work and success. Three: this is yet another reminder of how woefully inadequate my bank account is.

Coming in at just under $105,000, our S550 test car was a helluva pricey ride, but I’m venturing out on a limb to suggest that it’s worth it. The ride is the quietest I’ve ever experienced; the power adjustable seats, with heating and cooling up front, are extremely comfortable; the interior is almost completely wrapped in soft leather and plastics, with only a few hard bits reserved for the lower door panels and seat frames; the central instrument control is easy to use, putting BMW’s iDrive to shame; the rear seating area is cavernous; and the powertrain is sublime.

However, no car is free of faults, including the 2007 S550. Sport mode must be selected for decent throttle response (comfort mode is slow to deliver power); more exhaust noise needs to be allowed into the cabin when the driver is really on the gas; the steering is weighted nicely yet is slow to return to center at times; the trunk is surprisingly small; and though the suspension keeps the S550 solid in corners, the tires squeal with little provocation. And don’t forget the styling – some love it, others don’t. Consider me among the latter, mainly because of what I see as an odd trunk design, which by the way, features uncharacteristically wide gaps.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class – Brian Chee’s Opinion:
Anything that grabs you by the hips as you travel around a corner should have a name. Anything that reveals the difference between successful – and smart people who are also successful – deserves a name. Not a designation, like S550. That’s too cold and calculating for a vehicle that almost earns the 100 grand you’ll pay for it, thanks to a trunk load of technology (see that seat gripper) and a powertrain that is meticulously tuned for the right kind of people.

Smooth and strong, the Mercedes-Benz S550 takes the 382 horsepower it gets from its 5.5-liter V8 engine and delivers acceleration exactly as you want it – carefully, or brutally fast. On the other side of the equation, the brakes grab those wheels and hang on tight, scrubbing off speed quickly – maybe too quickly – and reacting in a strong, sure-handed way. Handling was crisp for the kind of car, though the tires cried out when pushed a little, and there was some detectable body lean. Inside the cabin, it’s the best of Teutonic luxury. Seats are what you’d expect from this type of a car, with more ways to hold or comfort you than one would ever use. As for the rest of the cabin, really, from trim to finish, there’s a lot to love and to appreciate, from the way things feel at your fingertips to the way they operate.

Among the three expensive vehicles we had at Autobytel the week the Benz was with us, the S550 may not have felt as luxurious, or as esteemed, as the Bentley or Rolls-Royce. But it sure felt like the best value – and the last time I checked, even wealthy people like the notion of getting more. Now, about that name…

Mercedes-Benz S-Class – Ron Perry’s Opinion:
I’m still having difficulty getting past the styling of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan, but the rest of the car’s characteristics more than make up for the lack of good looks. The S550 combines comfort and luxury with enough drivability to still be a driver’s car. Acceleration and handling are excellent for such a big car and if you decide to partake in assertive driving, the seats fight the forces of inertia to keep you upright and centered. If you choose to cruise, the quiet cabin, air-conditioned seats with massage and stellar audio system will add greatly to your journey. Need more toys? Pop for Distronic Plus and Night Vision. Materials and build quality are top notch, as expected for a car topping $100,000. It’s hard to imagine anyone needing more than the Mercedes-Benz S550 has to offer. It is, simply, at the top of its segment.