Without question, if we close our eyes and envision the quintessential luxury sedan, it’s the Mercedes-Benz S-class that comes to mind. Not only has it been the brand’s flagship for decades, but it has continuously delivered cutting-edge tech and first-class comfort. Whether relaxing in the Sonderklasse’s roomy rear seat or guiding the tastefully styled land yacht down the street, passengers are treated to a leather-lined interior with many large screens—and too many touch controls. Despite some overly complicated features, the S-class packs a trio of unique all-wheel-drive powertrains. The S500 has a silken 429-hp turbocharged straight-six, and the S580 has a hearty twin-turbo V-8 with 496 horses. The S580e plug-in hybrid pairs the turbo six with an electric motor. While the V-8–powered S580 is slightly quicker, it can’t match the PHEV’s fuel economy, including a notable 58 miles of electric-only highway range. Regardless of what’s under the hood, every 2024 Mercedes-Benz S-class handles well and rides even better. Sure, other luxury sedans like the BMW 7-series and Genesis G90 have similar traits, but neither can match the Mercedes’s long-standing magic.