COTY 2016 Best Prestige Car Over $100K: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Mercedes' S-Class limousine takes top honours in the $100,000-plus luxury division of the 2016 carsales.com.au Car of the Year awardsThe Mercedes-Benz S-Class embodies luxury like few other cars on the road, but the three-pointed star flagship is more than a machine of opulence.
The S-Class also serves an important technical showcase for Mercedes-Benz, fitted with the latest safety technology and equipment — and for that reason, it deserves its place as a 2016 Carsales Car of the Year finalist.
The S 400L nails the luxury brief. Refinement, space, safety and performance are front of mind. Its opulence is punctuated by comfortable seats – the front chairs capable of massaging – along with a perfume dispenser and warm ambient lighting that is splashed around the cabin.
Similarly, the V6 engine offers effortless surge despite a 1975kg kerb weight, bringing into question why you’d opt for higher-powered variants for any reason other than status.
Its suite of driving aids includes the ability to brake and steer partially autonomously, while its optional magic body control suspension system is also capable of reading the road ahead and adjusting the ride to suit.
What price do you put on such innovation and technical advancement? A cool $234,715 (plus on-road costs) in this case. Ultimately the relatively steep asking price cost the big ‘Benz important points in the final count.
Judges were also disappointed at the lack of soft-closing doors and new tech such as Apple CarPlay, assumed standard items for this money, and more than one pointed out newer models including Mercedes’ own E-Class integrating similar safety technology and equipment for much less.
Even ahead of an anticipated 2017 update, however, the S-Class epitomises modern luxury and easily fended off renewed competition from German rivals to claim our $100K-plus Prestige crown.
Read a Mercedes-Benz S-Class review
The carsales.com.au Car of the Year winners are:
2016 carsales.com.au Car of the Year category winners:
Best First Car: Skoda Fabia
Best City Car: Audi A3 Sportback e-tron
Best Family Car Under $30K: Skoda Octavia
Best Family Car Over $30K: Mazda6
Best Green Car: BMW i3 ReX
Best Offroad 4x4: Ford Ranger
Best Performance Car Under $100K: Ford Focus RS
Best Performance Car Over $100K: Porsche 911 Carrera S
Best Prestige Car Under $100K: Audi A4
Best Prestige Car Over $100K: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Best SUV Under $50K: Mazda CX-9
Best SUV Over $50K: Audi Q7
Best Tradie vehicle: Ford Ranger
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
