Surprising Agility

At 17 feet long, the S550 is obviously a large car, but it doesn't feel the least bit ponderous from the driver's seat. It's pretty easy to maneuver through heavy, fast-moving highway traffic and feels rock-solid doing so, like nothing's going to move it off its line.

The big Benz also delivers a comfortable ride. An adaptive air suspension is standard on the S550, and it gives the sedan load-leveling capability as well as a lower ride height when traveling fast.

The sedan's size is most noticeable when you maneuver in tight spaces. Fortunately, there are a number of optional features that can lessen your chances of scuffing one of the bumpers, like front and rear parking sensors and a backup camera. Even with such aids, though, the S-Class can still sometimes feel like a giant when parking.

    See also:

    DISTRONIC displays in thespeedometer
    When DISTRONIC is activated, one or two segments in the set speed range light up. For design reasons, the speed displayed in the speedometer may differ slightly from the speed set for DISTRON ...

    Automatic transmission
    •► Shift the transmission to position P. The transmission position display in the multifunction display shows P. You can also start the engine when the transmission is in position N. ...

    Convenience closing
    General information When you lock the vehicle, you can simultaneously: • close the side windows • close the hinged side windows • close the sliding sunroof WARNING   When closing the ...