By Marc Grasso
The finest luxury money can buy is always top shelf.
Let’s be honest, right … I have driven over 300 cars with various models and packages. From the lowest of the low, to the top of the top. Every manufacturer has its niche, consumer base and options to make their vehicle unique to their clientele. Well, when a chart-topper pulls into Grasso’s Garage, it’s all the craze, because we get to enjoy the best of the best for a whole week. Hey Mercedes, congrats, this time, it’s you and that beautiful S580 4Matic.
Giving credit where credit is due, Mercedes always finds a way to be ahead of the competition and exceed the consumers’ expectations. Not only are they noticeable from afar, but Mercedes always seem to be one step ahead of the competition. With that being said, we recognize the S-class as just that, with its endless style, options and fine accoutrements. On our weeklong drive of an Anthracite Blue S580, we were impressed, and consider this the best money can buy. Yeah, I know, I have driven some unbelievable vehicles recently from a Rolls Royce Ghost and a Bentley Flying Spur with price tags exceeding $300K, but for the $116,000 base price, this trumps them all.
I mention bang for your buck a lot as I feel it is important readers get a lot for what they pay for. In this case, it is just that, a huge bang for a huge buck. At 496 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft. of torque, this almost 5,000-pound vehicle goes from zero to 60 mph in 4 seconds flat. Its 4.0-liter Bi-Turbo engine with EQ+ boost, is smooth, powerful and like riding down the road on your couch. It is that comfortable, in fact it is so comfortable, Mercedes provides pillow-like additions to the top of the head rest for that extra neck comfort everyone enjoys.
The augmented reality heads-up display, and heated and cooled seats, in a phenomenally good-looking Silver Grey Nappa Leather interior was just the norm for the S580, while AMG line exterior 21-inch V-spoke wheels really sealed the deal for me in the exterior appearance category.
In the large luxury sedan market, there is nothing better for the price than the S-class Mercedes. If I was in the market for such a phenomenal vehicle, this, without question, would be in Grasso’s personal collection and is on a par or if not better, with those top-dollar previously reviewed ones.
Calling all executives, you heard it here first!
Mercedes S580
MSRP: $116,300
As tested: $142,640
MPG: 17 city, 25 highway, 22.2 as tested
