It's proving hard to knock the three-pointed star off top spot, writes Paddy Comyn
MERCEDES S-CLASS
Price:€104,805-€310,725
NCAP Crash Test: N/A
Seats:5
Doors:4
Engines:3.0, 3.5, 4.7, 5.5, 6.0, 6.2, 3.0D
Trim Levels:Standard, LWB
CO2:220g/km - 355g/km
QUALITY AND RELIABILITY: * * * * *
This is a whole new car and has to be treated on its own merits and not the mistakes its company made over the last few years. The company appears to have started to sort itself out and this car feels really well built. Everything from the leather to the wood feels incredible.
PERFORMANCE: * * * * *
Entry-level is a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine with 231bhp which is just about adequate. Next up is a 3.0-litre diesel with 235bhp and 540Nm of torque which makes a great buy and helps reduce fuel bills slightly. Another popular buy is the 272bhp 3.5-litre V6 with 272bhp and this is more refined. The first of the V8s is a 340bhp 4.7-litre, followed by a 388bhp 5.5-litre, 517bhp 5.5-litre V12 and the range is topped by two AMG versions with 525bhp and 612bhp.
AT THE WHEEL: * * * * *
Mercedes-Benz uses a Comand system to operate the major controls of the car and it is superior that used by BMW (iDrive) and much easier to use. There is a column-mounted gearshift and keyless ignition and when you do start the car, you are met with a hush. This car is supremely comfortable, but now is incredibly good to drive with good weighting on the steering and superb grip.
SPACE AND COMFORT: * * * * *
This car is enormous and depending on which version you choose, the car is larger by 33mm in length (43mm for the long wheelbase version) over the last one and that is pretty darn big. The car is also whisper quiet with occupants feeling like they are very far removed from the outside world. You can have every possible creature comfort fitted to an S-Class to give the ultimate experience.
SAFETY: * * * * *
Well there really isn't any safety feature it is hasn't got, so there is no other score to give it but the full five stars. There is Pre-Safe, which tensions seat belts, optimises seat positions, shuts windows and sunroof and inflates seat bolsters to get you in the best position for an accident. There are multiple airbags which alter their force according to the weight and size of the appropriate seat occupants, too. You get all sorts of electronic aids such as ESP too, and you can even specify night vision as an optional extra.
RUNNING COSTS AND DEPRECIATION: * * *
This S-Class is regarded as pretty new, so there is not a lot of evidence of how much it depreciates, but we can tell you that any luxury car at this level loses money fast, so as investments go they are not the shrewdest - they are luxuries. But minimising the loses is what is about and the S-Class is at least, one of the better ones in this regard.
CONCLUSIONS:
FOR:Simply brilliant at everything, incredible refinement, really agile too. Residuals rock solid as well.
AGAINST:Not sure about the styling.
THE IRISH TIMES VERDICT:It does everything really well. Mercedes take top prize here.
BEST BUY:320 CDi or the 350.
BMW 7-SERIES
Price:€111,400-€182,950
NCAP Crash Test: N/A
Seats:5
Doors:4
Engines:3.0, 4.0, 4.8, 6.0, 3.0D
Trim Levels: SE, Sport, Carbon Exclusive
CO2:210g/km - 327g/km
QUALITY AND RELIABILITY: * * * * *
No problems here in terms of how this car is put together. Everything is build from high quality materials both inside and out and while there may have been worries about the amount of electronics going into these complicated 7-Series models, evidence shows that they have stood the test of time well.
PERFORMANCE: * * * *
Of the cars sold here, the 730d with its 231bhp makes the most sense and is the best value in the range too.
A 3.0-litre engine might sound like it would be a little underwhelming in a car the size of a 7-Series, but this is a superb unit.
This tends to make the other engines largely redundant, so don't expect to see many 258bhp 3.0-litre petrol versions, 306bhp 740s, 367bhp 750i's or at the top of the range, the supremely quiet 445bhp 6.0-litre V12.
AT THE WHEEL: * * * *
Some of the controls are a little bit fiddly. The iDrive is not to everyones taste and can be a little bit of a headache to get through and the column mounted automatic gearbox can have its moments too.
The electronic parking brake takes some getting used to.
This is a huge car, but it still has all the handling hallmarks of the rest of the BMW range in that it is incredibly agile and gives the driver huge amounts of information about what is going on. This is never at the expense of comfort though.
Space and Comfort: * * * *
Not quite as floaty and comfortable as the S-Class and there is loads of room. Should you choose the long wheelbase version there is a huge amount of legroom.
There is no shortage of creature comforts either, but you do have to spend a few euro to get a fully specced car, unlike say a Lexus LS430.
SAFETY: * * * * *
Front, side, head and curtain airbags are fitted, plus active head restraints, plus there is the full compliment of traction control and electronic stability programmes.
Xenon lights are standard and there are now two stage brakelight displays, with LEDs that grow brighter under hard deceleration.
RUNNING COSTS AND DEPRECIATION: * * *
The 7-Series is an expensive car in the first place and it does tend to lose money too. But then this is not uncommon in the segment anyway.
After three years a 7-Series will have lost more than half its value, so if you can stomach that then you won't get any surprises.
CONCLUSIONS:
FOR:Performance, comfort, very refined.
AGAINST:Some fiddly controls, hard ride on some models.
THE IRISH TIMES VERDICT:Will need to play catch-up with the Mercedes and Lexus when new one arrives next year.
BEST BUY: 730D SE.
LEXUS LS RANGE
Price:€127,500-€168,850
NCAP Crash Test: N/A
Seats:4/5
Doors:4
Engines:4.3, 5.0
Trim Levels:Standard, LWB
CO2:219g/km - 261g/km
QUALITY AND RELIABILITY: * * * * *
Nothing short of five stars here for the brilliant way that these cars are built and the materials used.
You just know that nothing will go wrong with this car mechanically and in the unlikely event that it did, you would be treated perfectly.
One grumble is that the wood looks a little plasticky even though its the real thing.
PERFORMANCE: * * * * *
You get whisper-quiet performance whether you choose the 4.6-litre V8, with its 375bhp with an eight speed gearbox or the ludicrously competent hybrid version, with its 5.0-litre V8 389bhp petrol engine and 221bhp electric motor working in tandem.
The arrival of the hybrid version has really overshadowed the 4.6-litre, but both pack plenty of punch and are incredibly refined and with the hybrid version producing just 219g/km it is reasonably eco-friendly too.
AT THE WHEEL: * * * *
It is still not as involving to drive as some of its rivals, but there is no doubting that when it comes to comfort there probably isn't better, especially the long wheelbase hybrid version.
There is no fussy iDrive-type system, but rather some straightforward touch-screen technology.
Light steering and go visibility make this an easy car to navigate too. The self-parking feature is silly though.
SPACE AND COMFORT: * * * * *
Riding on a cushion of air and with engines that barely make a sound, there really is nothing to fault on the LS when it comes to comfort and there is more than enough space. If go for the LWB version, you get an Ottoman seat which really is the last word in comfort.
SAFETY: * * * * *
It is probably fair to say that this is the safest car on the road, it has absolutely every safety feature that can be fitted to a car.
Not only has this car goes the usual raft of airbags and stability control systems, but you can also find pre-crash safety systems, obstacle detection, driver monitoring, steering assist, adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist.
RUNNING COSTS AND DEPRECIATION: * * * *
The fact that these cars are so reliable makes them desirable as used car buys, but you won't find too many used examples around.
Much like its other rivals, this will lose about 50 per cent of its value over three years.
CONCLUSIONS:
FOR:Smooth, refined, loaded with kit.
AGAINST:Lacking some character.
THE IRISH TIMES VERDICT:A seriously refined and comfortable car - just a bit soulless.
BEST BUY:Hybrid.
JAGUAR XJ
`€93,085-€143,695
NCAP Crash Test: N/A
Seats:5
Doors: 4
Engines:3.0, 4.2, 4.2 Supercharged, 2.7D
Trim Levels:Executive, Sovereign, Sport Premium
CO2:214g/km - 330g/km
QUALITY AND RELIABILITY: * * * * *
Jaguar have scored consistently good JD Power results with their XJ been voted as one of the most reliable cars in the world. This car does feel a little like it is from another era, but that is exactly what some owners want. The leather is first class and the wood actually looks like wood.
PERFORMANCE: * * * *
The 2.7-litre diesel, with its 204bhp looks a little tame on paper compared to some of the huge diesel engines offered by rivals such as Audi, but this is a very refined unit and works well in this car. The 3.0-litre V6, with 240bhp is a cracker too. At the top end of the range, the 4.2-litre V8 in either naturally aspirated or supercharged versions are quiet and powerful, but will be hard to sell on again. These cars are built from aluminium so they are light and this gets the best out of the engine's available power.
AT THE WHEEL: * * * * *
The cabin is old-world style and this feels very familiar and thankfully easy to use for technophobes. The car drives incredibly well, with really composed handling. The J-gate automatic doesn't provide much flexibility, but most owners will simply want to cruise.
SPACE AND COMFORT: * * * *
At the last major revision to the XJ, Jaguar gave the car plenty of extra space and the old problem of lack of headroom and legroom are now a thing of the past. Now there is generous room and, unless you choose the models with sports suspension, then the bumps and lumps on the road are well absorbed.
SAFETY: * * * * *
Intelligent dual-stage front airbags sense the position of front seat occupants and the weight of the passenger, side airbags, head airbags and a particularly strong body structure thanks to the aluminium body all contribute, as do anti-whiplash, energy-absorbing seats. ABS and Electronic Stability Programme help you avoid a crash in the first place.
RUNNING COSTS AND DEPRECIATION: * * *
The diesel is very frugal, helped by the lightweight body structure and this makes the XJ one of the most economical of the luxury cars.
Depreciation is about on par with any of the cars in its class - these cars sell in small numbers so prices remain quite stable used.
CONCLUSIONS:
FOR:Lightweight, good handling, good diesel.
AGAINST:A little old fashioned.
THE IRISH TIMES VERDICT:It's image might not appeal to everyone, but it is very competent and the owners are a happy bunch.
BEST BUY:2.7 V6 Diesel.
A UDI A8
Price:€103,900-€172,600
NCAP Crash Test: N/A
Seats:5
Doors:4
Engines:3.2, 4.2, 6.0, 3.0D, 4.2D
Trim Levels:SE, SE LWB
CO2:224 - 353
QUALITY AND RELIABILITY: * * * * *
Audi have always been at the top of their game when it comes to making cars that feel supremely well made and the A8 is no different. The shut lines are incredibly tight and the interior is beautifully made.
PERFORMANCE: * * * *
There's a 360bhp 3.2-litre six-cylinder petrol, a 350bhp 4.2-litre V8 and an awesome 450bhp 6.0-litre V12 plus two diesels - a 233bhp 3.0 six and a stunning new 326bhp 4.2-litre V8. None of the petrol engines are short on power. All are extremely quiet and refined, but the 3.0-litre engines lack sparkle. Our pick of the range is the 4.2-litre diesel with its mammoth 650Nm of torque but the best all-rounder is the 3.0-litre diesel and is our pick of the range in real world terms.
AT THE WHEEL: * * * *
One of the most involving luxury cars to drive, but this is not necessarily what the luxury car buyer wants. A criticism of the A8 is that it has a slightly harsher ride than some of its rivals, especially on models with the larger alloy wheels. There are different options on the air-suspension, though, to get the right setting. The cabin uses the Audi MMI system to counteract a whole raft of buttons and it is quite an intuitive system to use.
SPACE AND COMFORT: * * * *
Even though this car makes no secret about being one of the sportier cars in the segment, it still manages to be whisper-quiet and it certainly is large enough to be able to accommodate the most well-fed chief executive, with large supportive seats and ample legroom in the rear which can be supplemented by opting for the long wheelbase versions.
The rear seats are more focused on two passengers rather than three.
SAFETY: * * * * *
It comes with a full raft of dual-stage airbags, Quattro all-wheel drive for maximum traction and stability control, ESP and brake assist to keep you from having an accident in the first place. This is one of the most competent of the luxury cars in terms of road holding.
RUNNING COSTS AND DEPRECIATION: * * *
Big Audis, such as the A8, are prone to losing money and this is very much true with any of the large cars in this segment.
Stick to the smaller engined versions such as the 3.0-litre TDI to keep fuel bills down and also to give yourself the best chance of getting the most from your trade-in price.
CONCLUSIONS:
FOR:Stunning looking, brilliant diesels.
AGAINST:Slightly too sporty for some.
THE IRISH TIMES VERDICT:Certainly the coolest car in this segment, but still falls short of beating the new S-Class.
BEST BUY:3.0 TDI SE.