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:

    Driving systems
    Display messages The red distance warning lamp lights up while the vehicle is in motion. A warning tone also sounds. Possible causes/consequences and ► Solutions Risk of accident The ...

    Service messages
    Information on the type of service and service intervals (see separate Service Booklet). You can obtain further information from an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or at http://www.mbusa.com (U ...

    Important notes
    The "HD Radio" section provides detailed information on the following: • special functions available exclusively for HD Radio when compared with analog AM and FM radio • selecting ...